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What is Safe to Eat Vegetarian- Pumpkin Seeds?

Hello,

I eat mostly a vegetarian diet and I'm trying to do a really strict diet to stop this migraine cycle. So far it seems I can only eat Rice and Fresh Fruit-- pretty much all else is a no-way.

In the Heal Your Headache book, I read that SEEDS are okay, but out here on the internet, I have read that pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are MAJOR triggers and have TONS of tyramine, which apparently causes headaches. I don't know who to believe! Does anyone have a real answer?

I just want to be really strict so my headaches will STOP and I can try to reintroduce foods to check if they are triggers. All this stress over it is giving me a headache for real.

Seeds have a ton of magnesium in them-- I thought, well, at least they can be my ally, but now I don't even know...

I mean, where the hell can I get my protein and fats from?

I am so bored with the food I'm eating right now. If I see another rice cake I'm going to cry.

  1. Hi 62fuu1,

    Thanks for your question and comments. Elimination diets can be tough, and before I talk about triggers, I'd like this great information from Kerrie about elimination diets; https://migraine.com/blog/whats-elimination-diet-manage-one/. She breaks it down very nicely.

    When we see a list of migraine food triggers, the lists usually include foods that commonly trigger an attack. The thing is that doesn't mean they will cause an attack for everyone. Thankfully I am not triggered by aged cheese, but many, many others are. These list are guidelines, but everyone is different.

    See what you think of the information from Kerrie, and let me know if you have further questions,
    Nancy

    1. Hi 62fuu1,

      Thanks for your question and comments. Elimination diets can be tough, and before I talk about triggers, I'd like this great information from Kerrie about elimination diets; https://migraine.com/blog/whats-elimination-diet-manage-one/. She breaks it down very nicely.

      When we see a list of migraine food triggers, the lists usually include foods that commonly trigger an attack. The thing is that doesn't mean they will cause an attack for everyone. Thankfully I am not triggered by aged cheese, but many, many others are. These list are guidelines, but everyone is different.

      See what you think of the information from Kerrie, and let me know if you have further questions,
      Nancy

      1. 62fuu1,
        I wish you lots of luck with your elimination diet as it's the only thing that worked for me. My diet was very restricted for several months but it worked and I have been able to add back a lot of foods. I have also learned about a blood test that will tell me which foods on my long list of NO is actually cause my problem as I havent been able to figure that out yet.
        You are right. It is hard and VERY boring.
        I avoided all seeds during my cycle and I still keep away as I know peanuts are a big problem and possibly almonds.

        I avoided fruit skins. Ive been eating apples lately as they are in season and I think they are a possible trigger. I try to peel them. Grapes are a trigger for me but strawberries were/are ok.

        My main foods were carrots, bread and butter or cream cheese, vanilla or fruit ice creams, shredded wheat with milk and plain chicken or beef with no sauces. I also ate a lot of Nature Valley granola bars as they are nut-free. I dont really like peppers and cucumbers but I ate them a little as i was desperate. I discovered that raw onion is a major trigger but if i carmelize them for about 30 mins, they are yummy and dont give me a headache.
        Honestly, when I stray from the above routine i start getting headachey again but I usually stray because I'm doing something social and eat some unknowns or I just give-in to several questionable foods.
        I havent read that book so i dont know if he recommends avoiding dairy and gluten. That would NOT have worked for me but i have heard it works for others. I cant wait to see me doc in a few weeks so he can order the blood test and I can find out definitively which foods I can eat with reckless abandon again.
        By the way, I'm a registered dietitian nutritionist and a foodie. I'm happy to help you any way I can.
        Sorry for this being so sloppy and disjointed! I'm trying to put my daughter to bed.

        Oh! Canned tuna worked fine for me. I'm not sure if the book allows that or if you would consider eating fish. I went for the tuna in oil as I needed the calories, fat and taste. I think I ate the entire can in about 5 seconds!

        Danielle

        1. Danielle, do you peel the fruit because there is a higher level of histamine in the peels or why do you do this? I have been peeling fruit more because I read the skin has the most protective stuff that some people react to. I have been cooking apples to break them down a bit and have been fairly okay with eating them.

          Pumpkin seeds trigger me now. They didn't used to but I avoid them now. I actually avoid all seeds and nuts which is sad as I used to love them.

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