Allergy Season Part 1
Let Food be Thy Medicine
I don’t know about you, but where I come from (New England), no sooner do we stop complaining about winter than we start complaining about allergy season. Bonus if it’s still cold out when we start feeling our first symptoms!
Then come the predictions of how bad it’s going to be.
Worst. Season. EVER.
We say this every year.
What if it doesn’t have to be?
Holistic nutrition is all about using whole food to support your body’s natural defenses. Why not apply that to your allergies?
When you think about it, it makes perfect sense.
Seasonal allergies trigger an inflammatory response in the body. Certain foods can exacerbate that. I’m looking at you, processed snacks. But, choose the right foods, and you could find yourself sailing through the season with barely a tissue in sight.
WHAT TO EMBRACE
Immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory foods are always your friends, but particularly during allergy season.
Vitamin C: Citrus fruits, bell peppers, berries, and other vitamin C-rich foods can support the immune system and potentially reduce allergy symptoms.
Quercetin: Onions, apples, berries, and parsley contain quercetin, a natural antihistamine that may help reduce histamine reactions.
Probiotic-rich Foods: Fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut can improve gut health, which is linked to a stronger immune system and potentially reduced allergy symptoms.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines, as well as walnuts, flaxseeds, and chia seeds can help reduce inflammation, which is a key factor in allergic reactions.
Anti-Inflammatory Extras: Turmeric, green tea, and ginger all have powerful anti-inflammatory compounds that may reduce or block certain seasonal allergic responses.
WHAT TO AVOID
It shouldn't come as any surprise to see what’s at the top of this list.
Processed foods: High in salt, sugar, unhealthy fats, and additives, processed foods cause inflammation and can worsen allergy symptoms.
Histamine-Releasing Foods: Aged cheeses, processed meats, and alcohol are high in histamine and can make allergies worse.
Dairy products: Some people find that limiting dairy products can reduce mucus production to alleviate allergy symptoms.
Gluten: Some people find that limiting gluten can reduce allergy symptoms.
Spicy foods: Too much spice can worsen allergy symptoms like a runny nose and watery eyes.
This year, why not try a food-forward approach to allergy season? Prioritizing immune boosters and anti-inflammatory foods – while avoiding processed food and other potential triggers – can have a huge impact on how you experience the beautiful spring and summer months ahead.
Next week, I'll be sticking with the seasonal allergy theme to talk about Oral Allergy Syndrome and what to do about it.
