Allergies plague many of us, causing sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, and asthma. April is the worst month of the year for allergy sufferers. The wet and wild weather is making it even worse with pollens, molds, and all sorts of allergens swirling in the air. So what can we do? Many of us resort to taking prescription and over-the-counter drugs that suppress allergy symptoms. This is not a great long-term solution because medications do not address the root cause.
The more we learn about nutrition, the more it seems mankind was designed to eat the way people did 100 or even 500 years ago. In 1900, people consumed "whole foods," foods that are as close to their natural form as possible. Consuming whole foods is our best bet for improving health and preventing disease–and warding off allergies.
Allergy fighting foods include:
- Cold-water fish like sardines, salmon and tuna (high in omega-3 fatty acids)
- Yogurt with live active cultures
- Green tea with methylated epigallocatechin gallate, the main polyphenol in green tea
- Magnesium-rich foods like artichokes, black-eyed peas, spinach, pinto beans, sunflower seeds, tofu, and cashews (an increase in magnesium can greatly reduce respiratory problems)
- Fresh organic citrus fruits like grapefruit and oranges for their natural antihistamine effects; papaya, pineapple, and bananas
- Onion, ginger, turmeric, pepper, and garlic
Problem foods include:
- White bread, cookies, donuts, muffins, and bagels
- White potatoes, french fries, and potato chips
- Soft drinks and drinks with caffeine or artificial sweeteners
- Processed foods, sugar, and other stimulants
- Refined starchy foods
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