Back To Organic – Pollen is in the Air- Foods to help with allergies

With this record high pollen count, so many people are suffering from allergies who have never had issues before this spring. Everything is yellow. I usually have horrible allergies but surprisingly, I am not having as many issues this year. I have been drinking fresh fruit smoothies and eating foods that help with inflammation for my back and it turns out these are the same foods expert nutritionists recommend for allergies. With a pollen count of almost 10,000 and only a few sneezes and a stuffy nose, I am a believer food can ease your symptoms.

Web MD states “foods high in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients that our experts say may help ease inflammation and minimize complications of hay fever.” Salmon has plenty of Omega-3′s, DHA, and EPA. Try to eat Salmon or another fish high in Omega-3′s three or four times a week. Use olive oil, canola oil or coconut oil to cook and season the fish. These oils are also high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Season with onions, garlic, and spices like Horseradish, Ginger, Cayenne, or Tumeric.

You can also boost your immune system by eating foods rich in Vitamin C and D. Citrus fruits like limes, lemons, and oranges have plenty of Vitamin C and other antioxidants to heal your body. Kale is rich in Vitamin C. Add raw Kale to your smoothie, you will not know it is in there. The kids have no idea they are drinking their greens. Some awesome smoothie recipes are listed below.

The flavonoid phytochemical called Quercetin has reported antihistamine properties and can help thin nasal congestion. Apples, pears, peaches, red grapes, and cherries are rich in Quercetin. They are packed with vitamins and antioxidants. Buy these organic since they are in the Dirty Dozen, the most contaminated produce.

Many people are deficit in Vitamin D due to so much sunblock and the lack of sun during the gloomy, winter months. Sunlight is obviously the best source of Vitamin D but with this pollen many people are taking refuge inside. So eat mushrooms; they are rich in Vitamin D. You can also take a pill that contains 5,000 iu of Vitamin D3. I found mine at Whole Foods. A health store should have them as well.

I highly recommend introducing foods with probiotics or take a capsule when you wake in the morning. Wait an hour before you eat anything to properly absorb all the probiotics. You can also eat greek yogurt and other dairy like Kefir with probiotics. Try to limit your dairy intake and avoid aged cheeses;Jack cheese is better than Cheddar. If you are allergic to dairy, spice things up with some horseradish. Web MD states ”Horseradish not only offers the mucus-thinning benefits of other ?hot? spices, but studies have indicated that some horseradish constituents may have antibiotic activity.”

The one thing that makes a ton of sense to include in your diet right now for allergies is LOCAL honey. Buy pure honey to ensure you get all the nutrients. Honey is rich in “B6, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and certain amino acids. The minerals found in honey include calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc.”

I am using Sourwood honey since the trees are in bloom right now. Take 2 tablespoons a day. Some say you can chew on the honey comb for 30 minutes and your running nose will be cured. I am planning to try it when I can find some honeycomb!

Here is a quick reference of foods to include in your diet. I will post a weekly menu soon for all those out there that want to feel better.

Foods to fight or limit inflammation: