Asthma and Allergy- Friendly Diet Tips: Changes to help you feel better
If you are one of the millions of people who suffer from asthma and allergies, you know how difficult it can be to live a normal life. The good news is that there are many changes you can make to your diet in order to help ease your symptoms. If your symptoms are particularly bad, you should speak to your doctor about medications like antihistamines that could help, but many people find that some simple changes to what they eat can make a big difference.
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In this blog post, we will discuss some of the best tips for an asthma and allergy-friendly diet.
Know All Of Your Allergies
Before you start making changes to your diet, it is important that you know all of your allergies. People with a pollen allergy may also be allergic to certain foods, so changing your diet could actually make your symptoms worse, not better. Before you start altering your diet, visit an allergist and get yourself tested. They
will be able to tell you everything that you are allergic to, so you can make additions to your diet without causing yourself more problems.
Avoid Spicy Foods In Summer
If you suffer from asthma and allergies, it is best to avoid spicy foods during the summer months. Spicy foods can aggravate your airways and make it difficult to breathe. Spicy foods also cause your body to produce histamine, the chemical that is released in response to an allergic reaction. Adding more histamine to your body during the summer months can make you sicker and cause even worse reactions to things like pollen. It will also undo a lot of the benefits of taking antihistamines for allergies.
If you like spicy food, you don’t have to get rid of it entirely, but try to keep the heat to a reasonable level, especially when your allergies are already a problem.
Cut Back On Dairy
Eating dairy creates more mucus in your body, which can aggravate asthma and allergies. Many people experience a runny nose and blocked throat when they are suffering from allergies, and if you have been eating a lot of dairy, this will get much worse. It has also been shown to damage your immune system.
Making a few simple swaps can help you cut back on dairy without depriving yourself of the nutrients that it provides. Try swapping cow’s milk for almond milk or soy milk. You can also get calcium from leafy greens like kale and broccoli so you are not missing any important nutrients.
Drink More Green Tea
Green tea is excellent for people that suffer from allergies because it contains natural antihistamines. These help to counteract the effects of allergens, which can make it easier for you to breathe. Green tea is also a great source of antioxidants, which can help to protect your body from the damage that allergens can cause. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help to ease the
symptoms of asthma and allergies too. It also helps to clear out your sinuses, which can be a huge help when you are suffering from congestion.
Swapping out your normal tea or coffee for a cup of green tea in the mornings is a good way to manage your allergies and it will also help you cut back on caffeine too.
Avoid Raw Foods
Raw foods are often recommended as part of a healthy diet. Eating fruits and vegetables raw helps to preserve more nutrients, so you get more out of your food. But if you have allergies, you should actually avoid raw foods. Some fresh foods like apples have been shown to agitate allergies. Fruits and vegetables often have pesticides on them that will cause reactions too. So, if you suffer from allergies or asthma, it’s best to wash and cook all foods properly before eating them.
Eat Plenty Of Probiotics
Probiotics are bacteria that are beneficial for your gut health. They can help to improve digestion, and they also play a role in the immune system. Studies have shown that probiotics can be helpful in managing allergies. Eating foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, or kimchi that contain probiotics can help to improve your allergy symptoms.
Even though yogurt is a great source of probiotics, dairy can make your allergy symptoms worse. A lot of people don’t like sauerkraut or kimchi either because fermented foods are a bit of an acquired taste. Luckily, you can also take a probiotic supplement to get the same benefits. Just make sure that it is a good quality supplement and that it has been certified by an independent organization. Check the label to see how many billions of CFUs (colony-forming units) are in each pill. Look for a supplement that has at least 15-20 billion CFUs per dose.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is essential for people who suffer from allergies and asthma. If you are overweight, this can make your symptoms worse because it puts extra pressure on the airways. It makes breathing more difficult, which will only make your allergy attacks worse. Being overweight also impacts your immune system, which will make you more susceptible to infections. This can also increase your risk of asthma attacks and other respiratory problems that could have a major impact on your health.
It’s important to maintain a healthy weight for lots of reasons, so try to get into good habits by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. You should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week. If you have asthma, talk to your doctor before making any major changes to your diet or exercising routine because they will be able to give you advice on what is best for you.
If you suffer from asthma or allergies, it is important that you seek medical advice and take any medication that is recommended to you. However, lifestyle changes are often a good way to manage the symptoms more effectively. Making small changes to your diet can have a big impact on how you feel. Try incorporating some of these tips into your everyday life and see if they help to improve your symptoms.
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Thank you for these helpful tips! Let me add one more thing, but it doesn’t concern the diet. If you suffer from asthma and allergies, you are particularly sensitive to the air quality in the house. Therefore, don’t forget to change the filters of your HVAC system (air conditioners, furnaces) regularly. Pros recommend doing this at least once a month, but in your case, it won’t harm to do it more often.
Don’t neglect it because lots of dust and allergens accumulate in the filters.