Food-related headaches

Q I am a concerned 35-year-old woman who has been on a number of diets, including low-carb diets, because I'm constantly trying to lose weight. The problem is, each time I try to diet, I seem to get these terrible headaches. Is there some kind of connection between dieting and headaches?

J.F., Jackson, Miss.

A Doctors say there is evidence that points to a connection between certain diets and the onset of headaches.

For instance, a low-carb diet usually prompts people to select foods that are high in protein, including yogurt, nuts and cheese. Additionally, some low-carb dieters choose to ingest such items as cold cuts and bacon, which include sodium nitrite, an element that's likely to prompt headaches.

The key is to watch what you eat, and remember, doctors say, that caffeine remains the No. 1 dietary cause of headaches.

It's also a good idea to read labels to see what is included in your product of choice. For example, monosodium glutamate (MSG), which is a main ingredient in many food items, has long been considered a trigger for headaches.

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