You Can Eat This Food to Help Fight Seasonal Allergies

There’s so much to celebrate about spring, but having to conquer your allergy symptoms is not one of them. With all of the medications, neti pots and even essential oils out there promising to help, most of us don’t tend to think of foods as a potential solution. You may have tried hot tea with honey in the past, but now there’s a new—and delicious—remedy to try. Fresh, juicy pineapple could be just what you’ve been missing.

Pineapple’s tropical sweetness just screams summer, and tastes fabulous on its own, but you can also grill it for a healthy and sweet dessert, or even use it for a glaze in a hearty chicken dinner. While the recipes for pineapple are endless, so are its health benefits—especially when it comes to seasonal allergies.

Why Pineapple?

Pineapple is one of the foods that help with allergies. It’s full of healthy vitamin C, but the fruit’s true allergy powerhouse is an enzyme called bromelain. And guess what? This enzyme fights inflammation to help reduce the swelling and irritation brought on by pollen and other seasonal allergens. Bromelain can also be taken as a supplement, although eating pineapple is not only way tastier but in some cases more economical, and may even be more beneficial.

How Does It Work?

When we spend time outdoors and start to feel those symptoms come on, it is because we’re experiencing swelling in our noses. That’s what causes the feeling of not being able to breathe through your nose—and the constant need to keep a pack of tissues nearby.

In addition to allergies, bromelain can even help reduce symptoms of asthma such as coughing and chest tightness by preventing the irritation and inflammation throughout your entire respiratory tract.

To get the health benefits of bromelain, start incorporating pineapple into your meals and notice if your allergies seem to improve. Try dicing some to add to your morning yogurt parfait or smoothie. One of the tastiest ways to add pineapple to a savory snack or dinner is by whipping up a spicy salsa with pineapple, tomatoes, green chilies and jalapenos. And maybe the heat will help clear out your sinuses even more!

So go on and smell the roses, and whatever else a spring breeze blows your way. Just make sure to keep the pineapple handy.

These Tropical Fruit Recipes Taste Like Summer Sunshine

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Triple Fruit Freeze

These pops won't turn your tongue blue or neon green like many store-bought pops because they're made with fresh grapes, blueberries and kiwifruit. —Colleen Ludovice, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin

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Pineapple-Coconut SmoothieUse fresh or frozen fruits in this coconutty recipe. It's like a pina colada, but better for you and more versatile. —Gunjan Dudani, Bellevue, Washington

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Mango Rice PuddingMangoes are my son's favorite fruit, so I was ecstatic to incorporate them into a healthy dessert. You can also use ripe bananas instead of mango, almond extract instead of vanilla or regular milk in place of soy. —Melissa McCabe, Victor, New York

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Pina Colada DipIf you like pina coladas, you've gotta try this fluffy fruit dip. Scooped up with a slice of fresh pineapple, it tastes just like the beloved beachside drink. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee Wisconsin

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Tropical Chicken Cauliflower Rice BowlsThis tropical favorite is a delicious and healthy dinner with tons of flavor! You can substitute regular rice for the cauliflower rice if desired. —Bethany DiCarlo, Harleysville, Pennsylvania

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Irresistible Coconut Cream PieMy husband and I grow 500 acres of wheat on the farm his family homesteaded in 1889. I grind my own flour and love to use it in this recipe. The easy, pat-in crust has a rich grain flavor. It’s irresistible filled with old-fashioned coconut cream and topped with a fluffy meringue. —Roberta Foster, Kingfisher, Oklahoma

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Mango GuacamoleI needed a change from the standard guacamole recipe, so I added mango for more sweetness. It really complements the heat from the chili pepper, and it looks beautiful, too! —Adam Landau, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

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Passion Fruit HurricanesThis is our Test Kitchen’s version of the famous Hurricane beverage that's so popular in New Orleans. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Greendale, Wisconsin

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Grilled Tilapia with Pineapple SalsaYears ago I found a grilled tilapia recipe in a seafood cookbook. The pineapple salsa with cilantro has a touch of spice and goes so well with the flaky, tender fish. —Beth Fleming, Downers Grove, Illinois

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Teriyaki Pineapple DrumsticksWe have a large family and throw big parties, so I look for ways to free my husband from the grill. Roasted drumsticks keep everyone happy. —Erica Allen, Tuckerton, New Jersey

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Island Mango SlawThe cooling effect of tropical fruit and Greek yogurt meets jalapeno spice in this snappy mango slaw. To ensure ripeness, you may want to buy your mango a day or two ahead. —Jenn Hall, Collingswood, New Jersey

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Banana Oatmeal Pancakes Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Banana Oatmeal PancakesThese pancakes have less sodium per serving than other pancakes made from mixes. Decrease sodium even further by stretching the mix with banana, oats and walnuts. In our house we just sprinkle these with a little confectioners' sugar, because the fruit is so sweet you don't need syrup. — Patricia Swart, Galloway , New Jersey

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Kumquat MarmaladeI didn't even know what a kumquat was until my husband and I discovered them in southern Florida. Now I love using them for marmalade. I always get carried away making it and am happy to share! —Faye Robinson, Pensacola, Florida

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Pineapple-Ginger Chicken Stir-FryI found the original recipe for this dish on a can of pineapple slices in the 1980s. After making it for a number of years, I lightened the ingredients and adapted it to a quick skillet meal. My family gave it a big thumbs-up, and we've enjoyed it this way ever since! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

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Mango Cream TartThis fresh, luscious tart makes me happy!—Jami Geittmann, Art Director, Taste of Home Magazine

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Conga Lime PorkDinner guests won’t be too shy to get in line when this yummy chipotle pork moves to the buffet table. —Janice Elder, Charlotte, North Carolina

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Macadamia Sunshine BarsYour guests will be delighted with my bars. They are packed with nuts and dried fruit. I think that when you take a bite of this treat it’s like a mini-vacation to a Polynesian paradise. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota

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Grilled Pineapple with Lime DipServe this dish as an appetizer or a dessert—the choice is yours! If desired, the pineapple spears can be rolled in flaked coconut before grilling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Mango and Jicama SaladThis pretty salad has become part of my regular summertime rotation because of its freshness and versatility—it's delightful with everything from grilled chicken to seafood! Try it with coconut-flavored vinegar for a fun tropical twist. —Carla Mendres, Winnipeg, Manitoba

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Grilled Kiwi-Chicken Kabobs with Honey-Chipotle GlazeWhen guests bite into these juicy grilled kabobs, their eyes always widen with satisfaction. Our four kids are crazy about the spicy-sweet sauce. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California

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Fresh Fruit SalsaThis salad has all the bright colors and fresh flavors of summer. —Mary E. Relyea, Canastota, New York.

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Pork Roast CubanoIt takes me just minutes to prepare this recipe, and the slow cooker does the rest of the work! It's a one-dish meal that's real comfort food for my family. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

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Taste of Home

Banana Skillet Upside-Down CakeMy grandmother gave me my first cast iron skillet, and I've been cooking and baking with it ever since. Sometimes I add drained maraschino cherries to this banana skillet dessert and serve it with a ice cream. —Terri Merritts, Nashville, Tennessee

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Shrimp in Mango Chili SauceOn-hand ingredients make a tasty shrimp entree in a matter of minutes! Try the shrimp over waffles or rice for another yummy option. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

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Frozen Pineapple-Kiwi PopsKiwi, pineapple, sugar and water are all you need to make these easy, breezy freezer pops.—Colleen Ludovice, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Jamaican Salmon with Coconut Cream SauceWe try to eat salmon a lot because it's so healthy, and I love thinking of new ways to make it different and delicious. This dazzler is easy and is my go-to meal for company. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California

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Mango Lassi Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Mango LassiLearn how to make mango lassi, the perfect summer drink any mango lover will love. Mango lassi is a sweet and refreshing treat only needs 6 ingredients! —Namrata Telugu, Terre Haute, Indiana

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Mango Chutney Chicken Curry Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Mango Chutney Chicken CurryMy father dreamed up this curry and chutney combination. Now my family cooks it on road trips—in rain and sun, in the mountains, even on the beach. Adjust the curry for taste and heat. —Dina Moreno, Seattle, Washington

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Panna Cotta with Papaya CoulisPanna cotta is an Italian dessert that means “cooked cream.” My friend and I developed a tropical version that’s rich, creamy, tangy and so refreshing. —Shauna Havey, Roy, Utah

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Pina Colada Grilled PineappleDuring a cookout with friends, I forgot about dessert. I had a fresh pineapple and coconut, so I improvised. Now I grill pineapple at every cookout. —Josee Lanzi, New Port Richey, Florida

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Lime & Gin Coconut MacaroonsI took these lime and coconut macaroons to our annual cookie exchange, where we name a queen. I won the crown! —Milissa Kirkpatrick, Angel Fire, New Mexico

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Creamy Coconut Rice Pudding ParfaitsWhen my daughter’s friends come over for lunch, she treats them to her tropical parfaits made with brown rice and coconut milk. They’re fresh, creamy and comforting. —Suzanne Clark, Phoenix, Arizona

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Colorful Papaya PanzanellaI like to combine fruits with vegetables with homemade croutons to create "pizzazzy" (my new favorite word) side dishes. This one is as pretty as it is delicious! —Kathleen Gill, Pahrump, Nevada

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Pina Colada Molded SaladMy gelatin ring gets a tropical twist from coconut, pineapple and macadamia nuts. It's a wonderful anytime treat. Now that I'm retired from teaching, I have more time for kitchen experiments. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

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Mango Melba ShakesWhen we go camping in our trailer, we like to serve this vitamin-packed, refreshing drink when company pops in. —John Slivon, Milton, Florida

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Almond Chicken SaladMy mother used to prepare this chicken salad with grapes and almonds for an evening meal during the hot summer months. It's my favorite of my mother's chicken salad recipes. You can also serve it as a delicious but quick luncheon or potluck dish. —Kathy Kittell, Lenexa, Kansas

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Guava Coconut Rum CocktailMy beverage is so sensational it's like a taste of the tropics in a glass. The guava adds a touch of sweetness to this coconut drink. —Melanie Milhorat, New York, New York

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Tropical TilapiaTake a walk on the wild side and venture into the tropics with this one-skillet dish. Cool mint balances the sweet heat from the jelly. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California

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