Written by
My name is Emily and I am 14 years old, and I have been having severe migraines since I was born. I can't have chocolate either, or nitrites, or MSG, plus a lot of other things. The problem I always had when I was younger was that I felt left out at parties and stuff when my friends were all eating chcolate, or doritos, etc. And then I would ask myself, "Is it really worth it to go through all that pain?" It always worked. Have your son ask himself that question and maybe he will be a little more careful.
Well, my brother is the same way with migraines, albeit on a smaller scale. The chocolate and caffeine is what does it to him. Honestly, he's not as good as your son. He'd rather have the headache and the chocolate than neither of them. 
I'm lactose intollerant, and there are a bunch of foods I can't eat - even with the pills. I used to have a problem with that because I loved them, but it's now been about three years since I've had the certain foods I shouldn't eat. I barely notice it anymore, even when the foods are in the house. Sure, I'm wistful and complain a little that, "Oh, it's not fair," but it's my choice not to eat it. All it takes is time, I think. I'm sure your son will find something equally unhealthy 
and equally tasty that he likes.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2012 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Nancy,
My 10 yr old son has the same problem. He loves chocolate but it doesn't love him.
It doesn't always trigger an attack so, I let him have it occassionally for a treat. If I know he has had too many of his other triggers, (corn, lack of sleep, too much sun, etc.)then I won't let him take the chance.
I do try to always have something in the house that he really likes. I will make him a strawberry/banana smoothie or a slice of homemade cherry cheesecake.
Ask the other family members to not eat the chocolate in front of him. (It's just too much torture). My husband and I splurge at lunch when he's not around. I know that would be harder for your daughter. But, maybe she could go to her room.
Or your son could choose a favorite food each week, that no one else in the house was allowed to eat. That way when they were eating the chocolate, he could eat that week's treat.
What about carob? It's not the same as chocolate but, sometimes will satisfy the craving. The first time my son tried it, he turned up his nose. The second time (several weeks w/out choc) he said it wasn't that bad.
My son's migraine attacks are pretty bad so maybe that's why he is more cooperative. I just remind him that we are trying to prevent another episode and he usually will listen at that point.
I would love to hear what other parents are trying. Do you plan on moving this to the forum?
Yvonne-MigraineMom
Thanks Yvonne, those are some great ideas. I really think having something in the house for just him would be great. He would really get a kick out of that.
As we speak he is in bed with a Migraine attack. I think the chocolate and broken sleep patterns lately have finally caught up with the poor little guy.