It's that time again * ALLERGY Season*
Can the foods we eat make a difference?
Itchy, scratchy, watery eyes, runny nose and maybe even a little wheezing. How are we going to help ourselves? Did you know, food can help us make this season more enjoyable? Yes foods rich in antioxidants like fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds & even omega 3 fatty acid foods can help control or prevent allergies. They are all helping in reducing inflammation which is critical to controlling allergies.
Eating the right foods.
Improper eating habits aggravate many health problems, including asthma and seasonal allergies. Medical studies have repeatedly concluded that powerful chemicals called antioxidants—found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds & green tea. (Of course, don't load up on an antioxidant-rich food if you are allergic to it.) can help with seasonal allergies.
You can improve your defence months before the season begins. You also can eat many of these foods mentioned everyday to improve your health on multiple levels including this topic on allergies.
We tend to reach for over the counter drugs immediately when we have an allergy attack. Fare enough as we need relief ASAP! But we can improve or even prevent these attacks from happening and preventing the emergency resource to the drug store? Oh yes we can. I love, no really love that I made the decision to go to school of natural health to understand my many questions on how to make mine & my families lives more healthier holistically. When I learnt how much food heals us, I found a new food love. I then experienced a new reaction to the food I ate. I then enjoyed food not only in a tasteful manner but also in a wholesome manner. The food I ate started to feel different. All of a sudden all plant based foods became even more important to our diets. As you may have learnt from my blogging and other social networking is the promoting of plant based foods. I know how important they are to our good health. Do I still eat animal products? Yes but as always so very little. More dairy then meat. I do have to be honest though, the more research & studying I do in regards to vegetarisium, the less I want to eat meat. However becoming a holistic nutritionist, I do not tell my family nor any friends to choose certain lifestyles as that I believe is a personal choice.( You can read more about holistic nutrition in an earlier blog of mine.) However!!!! I do tell anyone who ask questions that by eating less animal products & eating more plant foods will increase their health hugely? Yes I do and that is what I proudly promote.
Ok let's break these food options down a bit to see what foods can help with spring allergies and possibly even prevent them altogether.
Omega 3 foods------
Foods high in omega-3 fatty acids — like salmon, albacore tuna, herring, mackerel, walnuts, flaxseed/oil, chia seed, hemp seed/oil and canola oil — can also help combat the inflammation associated with seasonal allergies-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Water------
Staying hydrated is also crucial. Allergy sufferers need extra water, to support increased drainage that flushes mold and pollen out of nasal passages, as well as tears to wash away dust.
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The following is a list of different kinds of antioxidants and foods that are high in each.
• Allium sulphur compounds:Leeks, onions, garlic
• Anthocyanins: Eggplant, grapes, berries
• Beta carotene: Pumpkin,mangoes, apricots, carrots, spinach, parsley
• Catechins: Red wine, tea
• Copper: Seafood, lean meat, milk, nuts, legumes
• Cryptoxanthins: Red peppers, pumpkin, mangoes
• Flavonoids: Tea, green tea, red wine, citrus fruits, onion, apples
• Indoles: Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower
• Lignans: Sesame seeds, bran, whole grains, vegetables
• Lutein: Corn, leafy greens (such as spinach)
• Lycopene: Tomatoes, pink grapefruit, watermelon
• Manganese: Seafood, lean meat, milk, nuts
• Polyphenols: Thyme, oregano
• Selenium: Seafood, offal, lean meat, whole grains
• Vitamin C: Oranges, berries, kiwi fruit, mangoes, broccoli, spinach, peppers
• Vitamin E: Vegetable oils, nuts, avocados, seeds, whole grains
• Zinc: Seafood, lean meat, milk, nuts
• Zoochemicals: Red meat, offal, fish
This article was originally titled "Antioxidant-Rich Fare," in the January/February 2009issue of Best Health Magazine. Subscribe today and never miss an issue!
Antioxidant foods-----
All colours of the rainbow plus plus plus have many antioxidants. All plant based foods contain antioxidants. Yes some animal products do have health benefits as listed above, However antioxidants are abundance in plant foods more so. The more you eat of plant based foods the more health benefits you will receive.
Please take this above information and apply it to you & your families lives for your good health & may you also be Nutitionally Well.
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