If your allergies are bothering you this season, there may be more help than just your prescribed antihistamine. Eating the right foods along with the combination of your daily medication can give you the right step forward in fighting your allergy symptoms. Try changing your diet to help your body fight your allergies.
Foods to Help Allergy Symptoms
- Quercetin: Vegetables that contain quercetin help reduce inflammation reactions caused by allergies. Foods that contain quercetin include broccoli, cauliflower, onion, and cabbage.
- Omega-3 Fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids have the capability to ease symptoms of allergies. Foods that are high in omega-3’s include flaxseed, walnuts, salmon, tuna, and trout. If you choose to eat fish, make sure that you are aware of mercury contamination.
- Vitamin C: Foods high in vitamin C will also help your body battle the symptoms of allergies. Although you may be able to take vitamin C as a supplement, it is better to ingest it as a food. Foods high in vitamin C include oranges, berries, and peppers.
- Garlic: Garlic is known to help prevent the creation of the chemicals that cause allergic reactions. Like vitamin C, garlic can be taken as a supplement but works best ingested organically.
- Magnesium: Foods high in magnesium content help stop allergic reactions and relax muscles. Foods with magnesium include kelp and cashews.
- Yogurt: The bacteria in yogurt relieves the symptoms in allergic reactions, especially in children. Yogurt may not be the right solution if you are allergic to dairy.
- Honey: Honey is believed to help build a tolerance for pollen. Take a teaspoon of honey by mouth every morning during the start of allergy season.
- Pineapple: Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple that helps break down chemicals caused by allergic reactions. Without these chemicals, the irritation caused by allergies is minimized. Pineapple is known to especially help those with asthma.
- Warm Liquids: Warming up your airways and belly will help mucous formed during an allergic reaction to clear, making it easier to breathe.
Although it is important to know about the foods that may help ease your allergy symptoms, it is also important to know the foods that can aggravate them. Some foods contain a certain protein that can trigger reactions in allergy prone individuals. Other foods increase inflammation caused by allergic reactions.
Foods that Trigger Allergy Symptoms
- Cantaloupe
- Sunflower Seeds
- Dandelions
- Alcohol
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
The most important thing to do this allergy season is to take the medicine your physician has prescribed to you. Your diet may help your allergy reactions, but cannot act alone. Have your best foot first this allergy season by being prepared to eat all the right foods. If you eat the right foods, along with using your prescribed allergy medicine, your body will be ready to combat allergic reactions.
