The Best Foods You Can Eat to Stop Seasonal Allergy Symptoms Now

Believe it or not, changing your eating habits is one of the best ways to help ease the discomfort of seasonal allergies. Certain foods can make your seasonal allergies worse. For example, alcohol, peanuts, sugar, processed foods, wheat, chocolate, and even coffee are known culprits that act as hay fever triggers. Other foods that you may want to limit are 

mucogenic (cause mucus production) foods, such as dairy products and gluten. Additionally, if you are allergic to ragweed, you may benefit from avoiding melons, bananas, cucumbers, and sunflower seeds, as they can cause allergic reactions in your body and worsen seasonal allergies symptoms.

​I know it sounds like there is nothing left for you to eat! Don’t worry there are plenty of foods and spices you can say YES to this season! They are not only delicious; these foods can also help you manage allergy symptoms. These food include:

• Spicy Foods. If you’re experiencing congestion, incorporating spicy dishes like chai tea, and curry in your diet can help thin out mucus. Spices like cayenne pepper, garlic, ginger, and cinnamon are your friends during this time of the year. These spices are anti-inflammatory, boost your immune system, help break up mucus and fight infection. So, incorporate the following spices into your diet as much as possible.

Cayenne is anti-irritant, anticancer, antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-allergen. It prevents migraines. It is a digestive aid and useful for blood clots. It is used for detox support and relieves joint pain. It supports weight loss and promotes heart health. Studies at Loma Linda University found that cayenne pepper may help prevent lung cancer in smokers.

Cinnamon is antispasmodic, antiemetic, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal. It helps fight infections like the common cold, loss of appetite, and erectile dysfunction (ED). Cinnamon may lower blood sugar in people with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. It reduces LDL cholesterol. Buy Ceylon Cinnamon whenever possible. It comes from Sri Lanka and is widely considered to be the best in the world.

Clove is aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antifungal. It relieves respiratory infections, improves digestion, and provides pain relief. It is high in antioxidants and a good source of minerals, particularly manganese, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and vitamins.

Ginger is anti-nausea, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer. It reduces morning sickness, decreases muscle pain and soreness, can help with osteoarthritis, lowers blood sugar, reduces heart disease risks, treats chronic indigestion, decreases menstrual pain, reduces cholesterol levels, protects against Alzheimer’s disease, and helps fight infections. 

Horseradish is a pungent root vegetable which acts as a decongestant, helping to clear nasal passages. Grated fresh horseradish root adds a lovely kick to roast meats and vegetables

Oregano provides immune support. It is antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer. It is useful for respiratory infections. Research has shown essential oils from oregano may kill the foodborne pathogen listeria and the superbug MRSA, making it a valuable addition to hand soaps and disinfectants.

​Natural unrefined salt or Himalayan salt helps stabilize irregular heart rate, regulates blood pressure, and extracts excess acidity from cells in the body (particularly brain cells). It balances blood sugar levels, clears lungs of excess mucus (particularly in asthma and cystic fibrosis), and clears sinus congestion. It is a natural antihistamine, regulates sleep, prevents muscle cramps, contributes to firm bones, helps prevent gout and gouty arthritis, is essential for maintaining sexual libido, and helps prevent varicose veins. It supplies the body with over eighty essential mineral elements. Please note that refined salt such as table salt has been stripped of all but two of these elements and contains harmful additives such as aluminum silicate, a toxic chemical found in a UK study to be the primary cause of neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

• Fresh, Organic Vegetables. You should always eat a wide range of colorful vegetables and clean proteins. However, it is especially crucial during allergy season to eat healthily, so your immune system does not get compromised. Eat nutrient-rich veggies like carrots, yams, cabbage, beets, kale, and spinach and chard.

• Omega-3 Fatty acids such as the ones found in fish, walnuts, and flaxseed may reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body. Studies have found that a high content of omega-3 fatty acids in red blood cells or in the diet was associated with a decreased risk of hay fever.

• Local honey can help relieve watery eyes, congestion and most allergy symptoms because it contains the pollen your seasonal allergies originate from.

• Raw garlic and onion contain high levels of quercetin. Quercetin is a natural anti-inflammatory and antihistamine.

• Probiotic-Rich and Fermented foods. Foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kombucha are foods that improve digestion and boost your immune system. Also, fermented foods like miso and apple cider vinegar are alkaline forming and promote health.

• Water and apple cider vinegar helps break up mucus, ease respiratory issues, and reduce inflammation.

• Pineapple is full of vitamins and enzymes that help reduce reactions to seasonal allergies. The pineapple core, as it has the highest concentration of nutrients.

• Algae. Due to their high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, omega oils, and proteins algae health benefits are vast. However, Studies indicate that consuming spirulina made a significant improvement in human patients with nasal allergies. And Red marine algae is known for having health benefits that aid allergy symptoms such as being anti-inflammatory and analgesic. But do not limit yourself to these two types of algae; all of them have incredible health benefits.

See it is not that bad, there is plenty that you can eat to have a happy spring free of allergy symptoms.

Until next week
Toni