You know that moment when a headache starts creeping in, and you’re stuck without any pain meds? It’s easy to just sit there and hope it’ll pass. But here’s the thing—what if some of the best remedies are sitting right in your kitchen? Seriously. A lot of the foods we already have on hand can be natural pain relievers, and some might even help prevent headaches before they start. It's wild, right?

So, before you reach for that bottle of painkillers, check out this list of seven foods that could help ease the discomfort and maybe even keep those headaches at bay. You’ll be surprised by how much the right food can do.

1. Russet Potatoes

It might sound a little strange, but russet potatoes could actually be a solid choice when you're battling a headache. Dehydration is one of the biggest culprits behind that throbbing pain, and you’ll usually notice a dry mouth coming along with it. Here's where potatoes come in: they’re loaded with potassium, a key electrolyte that helps keep you hydrated. In fact, a big russet potato packs more potassium than a banana—yep, the very fruit is known for its potassium punch. And since potatoes are about 75% water, eating one can help you rehydrate and ease that dehydration headache. Who knew, right?

2. Cucumbers

If you suffer from headaches at a given time of day or after a certain activity (such as excessive computer use), eat some cherries to relieve the pain. The red, vivid fruit not only gives your body some H2O to keep dehydration at bay, but it also contains components that convert to nitric oxide in the blood, a naturally occurring gas that may help in tension headache treatment and prevention of migraines. Beets, as well as beet juice, have the same effect.

3. Cherries

If you tend to get headaches at specific times of the day or after doing things like staring at a screen for too long, cherries might be your new best friend. These little fruits not only help keep you hydrated, but they also have compounds that turn into nitric oxide in your blood. Nitric oxide is a gas that could actually help stop those tension headaches and migraines from creeping in. And guess what? You’ll get the same benefit from beets and beet juice, so why not toss those into your diet too?

4. Fortified Whole Grain Cereal

Riboflavin (or vitamin B2) is one of those nutrients you don’t want to skip if you're trying to keep migraines at bay. The good news? A lot of whole grain cereals are fortified with riboflavin, so you can easily work it into your daily routine. Adding more riboflavin-rich foods to your diet can make a real difference when it comes to cutting down on how often and how intensely those migraines hit.

5. Hot Peppers

If your headache is coming from nasal congestion, you might want to give hot peppers a try. Spicy foods do more than just fire up your taste buds—they can actually help open up your airways and relieve some of that pressure, which can ease the pain of a headache. The secret behind this is capsaicin, the compound in hot peppers that helps clear congestion and makes you feel a whole lot better.

6. Pumpkin Seeds

Magnesium, which can be found in large amounts in pumpkin seeds, Brazil nuts, and almonds, can help to relieve headaches by relaxing blood vessels. (A half cup of pumpkin seeds supplies virtually all of your daily magnesium requirements.) Here are some more fun facts about this important nutrient: Magnesium is involved in about 300 metabolic events in the body, including the operation of the brain and muscles. 

You won't only get headaches if you ignore your body's demand for it. Muscle pains and weariness are other signs that you're not getting enough of the substance.

7. Oatmeal and Brown Rice

If you’re on a low-carb diet and suddenly find yourself with a headache, it might be your blood sugar playing tricks on you. Carbs are important for keeping those levels steady, and without enough of them, you can end up with a headache. Oatmeal and brown rice are solid options—both are healthy carbs that help keep your blood sugar balanced, which can keep those headaches from creeping in.