Is nutrition an allergy killer? Not nearly. But it comes quite close if you want to skip the medication and still pursue a healthy lifestyle. Allergies can make you sniffle, itch, cry and puff up, if not handled right!
There is no hard rule that says that eating right will cure your allergies, but it sure can reduce, control and manage the symptoms. This year, we have all managed to dig and discover secrets that make our health better; sitting at home was not only about vegging out or overeating. It was also about finding the right foods to eat; satiate your hunger, don’t overstuff yourself! I managed to do a lot of research through reading and exploring and found that there are certain ingredients in foods that help keep symptoms at bay for a short while, to give you relief. And if incorporated in your diets the right way, they can have lasting effects!
Fat is not always a bad thing, the way people demean it. There are also some ‘healthy’ or ‘good’ fats that our bodies need to keep the engine running. These come under Omega-3 fatty acids, most commonly found in chia seeds, flaxseeds, walnuts and some forms of seafood! In Sweden, a study found that children who are 8 years and up, with a strong diet involving omega-3 fatty acids, were less likely to develop nasal allergies! What a great mindset to enjoy my dates & chia energy bars now!
Allergies are different for us all. For some it’s an allergy to food like peanuts, shellfish, eggs, certain types of dairy and some vegetables; for some it is elements in the air, dust, sun, and for some even sweat. I know of a person who goes into a stomach infection the moment she eats raw food over cooked food. Allergies are a very personal trouble; they differ from person to person.
Everytime seasons change, and there is dust or mud around us, sneezing, wheezing, itching and what not begins to torment us; we run to the nearest medical store for some OTC relief. But why not focus on a diet that offers anti-inflammatory properties, to naturally soothe these symptoms? You’re getting good health, a good immune system and incredibly tastier food than a prescription drug in the bargain!
This basically translates to, eat less processed, more fresh and whole foods. Whole dry fruits, whole vegetables, whole fruits. Vitamin C is the ultimate immunity builder, so focus on citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, sweet limes, berries, tomatoes, and many more.
Many studies show that a mediterranean diet helps in easing allergy symptoms greatly. So what, essentially, is a mediterranean diet? It is a diet that is rich in fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains. This diet is chock full of healthy foods like grapes, tomatoes, and nuts. According to researchers, these foods provide the most benefits based on their antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are known for their disease-fighting ability. Nuts like walnuts and almonds have known to show great symptom fighting elements due to the high content of magnesium in them. What matters is not, however, the individual items. It is essential to have each one integrated in a proper diet; this is what helps you in the long-term!
However, there are certain foods in a modern mediterranean diet that may also trigger allergies such as chorizo where use of pork is galore, and paella where seafood like squids, prawns and clams are used. These tend to trigger allergies in some individuals!
To know what affects you and what eases you, it is essential to stay in constant touch with your nutritionists and medical consultants. What helps me could trouble you further, and vice versa. It is always important to have an opinion from those that know your system best!
A mediterranean diet is never complete without dairy products (hinting at flatbread and feta salads), but one must beware of these, as sometimes a gluten-free diet as well as a lactose-intolerant diet may trigger various allergies that cause uncontrollable torment.
At the end of the day, all we want is to feel better, and more often than not, at our best. So what makes us feel so? It’s not the expensive clothes, not the fancy car and not even the gifts we buy. It is how we take care of our and our near and dear ones’ health, well-being and overall mood. This is best done by carefully crafted nutrition. Remember, a home-cooked or a nutritious meal will always beat the junk food your second eye is at!
Written By Gouri Gupta
Week 44, October ’20
