Claims made in the popular press allege that grain-based foods, and the carbohydrates (CHOs) they contain, cause or worsen various neurological disorders, including headache, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and depression. This article reviews the scientific literature to assess the role of these foods in nutrition and their impact on headache, ADHD, and depression. The bulk of the scientific literature shows that nearly all grain-based products are listed as nonoffending foods and are not thought to increase the risk of most types of headaches. When grain-based foods, and their CHOs, are consumed as part of balanced dietary patterns emphasizing an optimal mix of whole and refined grains, such as DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) or Mediterranean Diets, they are associated with reduced headache risk. Although there are a number of food triggers for headache, grain-based foods are not listed as likely triggers. Evidence linking specific grain-based foods to headache is either ...