6 Foods that Fight Seasonal Allergies

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you know they're no fun at all. But you're not alone! One out of five adults have seasonal allergies, and that means that either the spring or fall can bring absolute misery.

Allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe. They include:

Runny nose
Stuffy nose
Watery eyes
Itchy nose
Sneezing
Coughing
Tickling on the roof of the mouth

All these symptoms come from your body releasing histamines in response to the things that you’re allergic to. Over-the-counter medicines can stop this, but they have nasty side effects. They make you sleepy, give you dry mouth, and make your thinking fuzzy.

The good news is there’s a tasty way to slow or stop the symptoms from your seasonal allergies.

Many of the healthiest foods boost your immune system and block histamines from forming.

6 Foods that Fight Seasonal Allergies Naturally

1. Local honey

Honey is good for you, and buying local honey helps support farmers. Honey is thought to help stop allergic reactions because it's made from pollen. The bees get the pollen from the same plants that make you sneeze.

It’s the same idea as getting allergy shots, without the pain or cost. To make it work, eat local honey all year long.

2. Foods rich in vitamin C

Vitamin C helps drop histamine reactions. It also boosts the immune system.

Brussels sprouts, bok choy, arugula, and broccoli are all vegetables high in vitamin C. They also have antioxidants, which help your body defend against seasonal allergies.

Elderberries, apples, cabbage, and peppers are good sources of vitamin C. They're high in quercetin too, which boosts the immune system and blocks histamines. And of course, fruits like oranges, lemon, and grapefruit have loads of vitamin C.

3. Greek yogurt

A study of 173 allergy sufferers who had probiotics for 8 weeks showed a huge drop in their symptoms.

Greek yogurt is loaded with probiotics. (1) You can also get the same effect from kefir.

4. Turmeric

This spice is known for its anti-inflammatory strength. It helps prevent the release of histamines and clears stuffy noses.

Turmeric offers a long list of benefits and is a good staple to use in your recipes every single day!

5. Wild-Caught Salmon

Salmon and other fatty fish (like tuna or sardines) have loads of Omega-3 fatty acids. These help fight inflammation.

There are also studies that show they help coughing, sneezing and runny noses. For an extra dose of Omega-3s, pick up some flax seeds and put them in your smoothie or onto your salad.

You want to make sure you're choosing wild caught salmon over farm raised. Here's why.

6. Chocolate

Cacao cuts the body’s production of an antibody that causes an allergic response. (2) Make sure you’re eating good quality dark chocolate like my Cacao Bliss!

Want a delicious way to cut your allergy symptoms? Try mixing up this healthy allergy-busting smoothie:

Allergy-Busting Smoothie

INGREDIENTS

1 apple
½ cup pineapple
1-inch chunk fresh turmeric (or ¼ tsp dried)
1 tbsp raw local honey
1 tsp-1 tbsp bee pollen
1/2 cup almond or coconut milk, or coconut water
½ cup ice

DIRECTIONS
Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth

Seasonal allergies can be a challenge to manage, but hopefully, these tips of healing foods you can eat will help!