Do you suffer from seasonal allergies?

It’s that time of the year when I see the red eyes, hear the sneezing and can tell there are people truly suffering from the change in seasons with excess mucus and congestion. I know this may surprise you, but did you know that there are specific foods that can help alleviate the symptoms of seasonal allergies? Some are truth, some are based in science and other ideas are more along the lines of old wives tales but if I were suffering I would be willing to change a few things, tweak others and try just about anything thing to not wheeze my way through the spring!

When the seasons change, I start to crave the foods the season brings. With the promise of spring I start to think more and more about fresh fruits and veggies, and I have even been known to desire a salad with every meal. (I know, crazy right?) Green blooms outside and it makes me long for hot summer days with refreshing, cleansing fresh fruits and veggies. These fresh fruits and veggies are colorful, and many like apples, berries, kale, cabbage and cauliflower have a powerful nutrient called quercetin in them. Quercetin has a natural antihistamine effect that can help you feel better when allergies plague you.

Along with that, adding a little spice to your veggies can help clear out any excess mucus and congestion. I love to sauté up some veggies with garlic, and ginger. I sprinkle some cinnamon on my apple slices and if I want a real kick, I may even add some cayenne pepper to a few dishes to get the sinuses clear. Turmeric is a special spice that has anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties that will help inhibit the allergic response so if you are really suffering, I suggest adding turmeric to your meals to help reduce those allergy symptoms.

When allergies are bothering you it’s a great idea to support your immune system. To do this the most effective and simplest way, in my mind, is to add fermented foods. Fermented foods are high in probiotic healthy gut bugs that support better digestion and help give your immune the help it needs. Another huge support for the immune system is vitamin C rich foods like bell peppers, citrus fruit and kiwi. Vitamin C helps cut down on the histamine that your cells release when having an allergic reaction.

One of the old wives tales I was eluding to in the beginning is consuming raw local honey. It’s thought that if you start consuming the raw honey with the pollen of the local flowers early in the allergy season this alleviates the worst of the allergies. There is little science on this but there is science on desensitizing yourself to common allergens so our grandmothers who passed on this knowledge may have known something science hasn’t tested yet! Honey is yummy so it’s worth a shot if your are really known to suffer! Who knows maybe it will work for you if it’s the blooming flowers in your area that are contributing to your allergies.

Another tip my grandma passed on to me was keeping up with lots of liquids. If you read this blog regularly you will know I love to make sure everyone is getting plenty of water and hydration but when you are dealing with allergies it’s even MORE important. Adding a little apple cider vinegar to your water to help break down excess mucus can help clear up the congestion. Drinking bone broth or meat stock can help ease some of the respiratory issues, bring down inflammation and boost that immune system!

Along with the supportive foods comes the foods that are not quite as helpful during the allergy season. Cutting back or eliminating sugar and processed foods is always good but during the allergy season when your immune system is already working hard this is even more important. Specific foods higher in natural allergens like peanuts, wheat and conventional dairy may also make your suffering worse so watch out for these foods in excess as well. Artificial dyes, chemicals like MSG, preservatives and additives can lead to allergy like symptoms all on their own so be aware of what you are eating and how you are feeling to ensure you are not over burdening your immune system!

I used to deal with my fair share of seasonal allergies but have not suffered in many years!  If you are ready to have an allergy free season let’s chat! Do you want to get even healthier? Are you curious about what you can do to feel your best not just this spring but all year long? Let’s chat about how health coaching can help you make your own healthy changes so that you aren’t dealing with seasonal allergies. Schedule an initial complimentary consultation with us today—or pass this offer on to someone you care about! Visit www.noshoesnutrition.com and sign up for a FREE consultation.  We work with people from all over the world individually or in groups so don’t let anything hold you back!