The Headache Prevention Cookbook

Eating Right to Prevent Migraines and Other Headaches

The recipes in The Headache Prevention Cookbook use simple wholesome foods without the major ingredients known to be sensitive to headache sufferers. And on occasion will offer substitutions for some of the less common headache triggers (i.e. exchanging cream cheese and low-fat milk for sour cream). Reported Headache-Causing Foods are listed before the pages get into the actual recipes.

Diet modification is recommended by eliminating all possible trigger foods that may be troublesome for two months. Using this type of elimination diet is an effective way to identify sensitive foods, slowly reintroducing foods into your diet one at a time. As particular foods are identified as a trigger it is to be avoided permanently. Author, David Marks M.D., shares some of his patient case-studies of reactions to foods during diet modification testing periods.

Three headache types (Migraines, Stress Headaches, and Cluster Headaches) are defined and discussed briefly on pages 25-26. Marks writes that it is important to identify what type of headache you are suffering from as treatments differ. But he stresses that all three of these common headaches can be triggered by the foods we eat.

Over the years I have identified most of my own food triggers. Some of them are my favorite foods. Fortunately for me, I can still enjoy most of them in moderation. I am glad to see that the Marks have created a cookbook that will help more people better understand the relationship between our diets and our headaches. Busy cooks will be pleased that the recipes in The Headache Prevention Cookbook are simple to prepare. Also, the recipe selections Laura Marks has assembled for us are especially delightful, sure to satisfy most appetites.

Chocolate, caffeine, and red wine are common headache triggers

page 135 - Sautéed Flounder with Cucumbers and Lime
page 170 - Mashed Potatoes with Parsnips and Garlic
page 180 - Frozen Lemon Torte

The Headache Prevention Cookbook: Eating Right to Prevent Migraines and Other Headaches

Author: David R. Marks M.D. - Medical Director of the New England Center for Headache in Stanford, Connecticut, Health Reporter for WVIT-TV (NBC Station located in Hartford).

- with Recipes by Laura Marks, M.D (pediatrician)

ISBN: 0395967133