How to Enjoy Halloween Candy Without a Migraine

I want my Halloween candy, and I want to eat it migraine-free too. So, what's the trick to having your treats?

What are your migraine triggers?

I used to love Reese's Nutrageous bars. It's a chocolate peanut butter bar that is the perfect combination of creamy peanut butter and crunchy peanuts – all dipped in chocolate, of course. But guess what two of my biggest migraine triggers are – chocolate and peanuts.

So while it may taste amazing at the moment, the short-lived pleasure was followed by the agony of a debilitating migraine. No matter how much I enjoy any chocolate and/or peanut butter candy, if I want to avoid a migraine, I need to pass on them. I do much better with gummy candies, so that's what I stick with.

What makes a balanced meal?

Eating a healthy, balanced meal is always beneficial, but if I know that I'm going to be enjoying some candy, it's all that much more important that I fuel my body well during mealtimes. What does it mean to have a "balanced" meal?

When I plan a meal, I like to include protein, fat, and healthy carbohydrate.

Let's translate that to actual food. I typically start with protein and build around that. Let's take a typical lunch, I may have a turkey burger (protein) with a gluten-free bun (carbohydrate) and a slice of avocado (healthy fat), and I might even have a side of roasted Brussels sprouts or carrots to get some veggies in. I typically just reheat leftover veggies from a previous dinner. Another example would be salmon (protein & healthy fat) with sweet potato (carbohydrate) and a side of spinach or asparagus – again, whatever leftover veggies I have, I'll reheat.

Balancing a meal with some protein and healthy fat, in particular, helps to keep blood sugar levels steady, which in turn helps you to have steady energy throughout the day. I personally find balanced meals to play an important role in managing migraines.

What are your "common culprits"?

Some migraineurs – myself included – find that staying well hydrated and taking supplements, such as magnesium and fish oil, can help to avoid a migraine. So, I try to avoid these common culprits by ensuring I take my daily supplements and regularly fill up my water bottle. These are simple practices but can easily get overlooked on a busy week. So being intentional with these practices can be helpful.

What are your "common culprits"? Are you triggered by changes to your sleep routine? Then maybe you focus on maintaining a consistent bedtime and wake time each day. Are you triggered by too much screen time? Maybe you wear light-blocking glasses or reduce your time on your electronics. It will be different for each person, but it's important to know your triggers and create a plan to avoid them.

Now, it's your turn

What helps to set you up for success so you can enjoy your Halloween candy without triggering a migraine?