8 Foods That Help With Seasonal Allergies—and 4 That Make Them Worse
Updated: Jan. 05, 2022
It's that time of year again. Beat the sneezes and sniffles with these foods that help allergies, plus the ones that make them worse!
Helps Fight Allergies: Pineapple
Pineapple is loaded with vitamins and is an allergy-fighting powerhouse. Its secret weapon against pollen is the enzyme bromelain. Bromelain helps to calm down the irritation and swelling that causes itchy eyes and a runny nose. Bromelain can also help with coughing and chest tightness for those with asthma. Learn 10 more health benefits of pineapple.
Helps Fight Allergies: Wasabi
Calling all spicy food lovers! Wasabi may just be your new best friend. If you haven’t been able to breathe through your nose lately, treat yourself to some sushi with plenty of wasabi. The heat can help to open up your sinuses. Not a sushi fan? Get all the same benefits with these wasabi beef fajitas!
Helps Fight Allergies: Red Apples
An apple a day keeps the allergist away. Red produce like apples contains a compound called quercetin. This compound is responsible for the red color and works as a natural antihistamine in your body. It helps to calm down the cells that react to allergens in the air. If you’re not a fan of red apples, other varieties can help too.
Helps Fight Allergies: Bell Peppers
Bell peppers can be an easy snack on-the-go or the main event for dinner; they’re also packed with healthy nutrients. Bell peppers are rich in vitamin C and the perfect medicine for allergy sufferers. Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, so load up on bell peppers and citrus this spring.
Helps Fight Allergies: Fatty Fish
Toss some sardines on your next pizza order, because fatty fish like sardines or mackerel can keep allergy symptoms at bay. The omega-3 fatty acids in seafood lower inflammation in our bodies, preventing the swelling in our throats and noses during high pollen times. And allergy relief is just one of the many health benefits of eating more fish.
Helps Fight Allergies: Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt is a protein powerhouse and makes a tasty, healthy dessert. Because it’s high in probiotics, it can also help you enjoy springtime without the coughing and sneezing. Probiotics help lower inflammation and allergic responses in the body. Next time you’re reaching for your allergy medicine, try whipping up a fruit and yogurt parfait instead!
Helps Fight Allergies: Strawberries
Is there anything better than a bowl of fresh strawberries in spring? Well, if those tasty strawberries also keep itchy eyes and runny noses away, sign us up! Strawberries are high in vitamin C and help lower histamine levels. They’re also rich in antioxidants, keeping inflammation down.
Helps Fight Allergies: Almonds
Crunchy almonds don’t just make the perfect salty snack; they’re also natural antihistamines. Cooking with almonds adds magnesium to your diet; helping to relax your airway and prevent the allergic response in the first place. Other magnesium-rich foods include nuts like cashews or wheat bran in bread.
Makes Allergies Worse: Red Meat
If you’re constantly reaching for a tissue this time of year, it may be time to step away from the red meat. Red meat like beef, pork, and lamb can carry an allergen that causes a reaction similar to seasonal allergies. It could even become life-threatening, so if you don’t feel well after eating red meat, skip the burger and order the chicken.
Makes Allergies Worse: Cheese
Eating certain aged cheeses like Gouda or Parmesan can make seasonal allergies worse. These cheeses contain histamines, making your allergy symptoms even more miserable. Look for dairy-free recipes that keep the flavor but hold the histamines.
Makes Allergies Worse: Some Fresh Fruit
Fresh fruit is full of vitamins and minerals, but it could also lead to allergy symptoms. Many fruits contain a protein on their skin that is similar to pollen. When you bite into the skin, it releases in your body and can cause your throat to itch. Luckily cooking the fruit or blending it up in a smoothie should get rid of the problem.
Makes Allergies Worse: Bread
First red meat and cheese have to go, and now bread? Sometimes life just isn’t fair, but it’s true; bread can make your allergies worse. Eating fresh bread can lead to inflammation, making the swelling in your nose and throat even more bothersome. Be sure to skip the white bread, and check out our low-carb meal plan for new ideas.
Originally Published: April 18, 2019
