What Types of Diets Help with Allergies?

When it comes to food allergies, avoidance diets are often the safest option.

If you have a peanut allergy, for example, you will probably need to avoid eating any food that contains peanuts for the rest of your life. Your allergist will likely recommend an avoidance diet and refer you to a nutritionist for help in establishing this kind of diet for yourself or a family member.

Check the Label

To someone without a food allergy, it sounds easy to stay away from a food like peanuts, eggs or other foods that are common allergens. Anyone can avoid eating peanuts and peanut butter, but peanut products are used in countless other foods. A few common items are cookies, candy and other baked goods that are purchased at a grocery store. Even hot sauce, egg rolls and salad dressings may contain peanuts. Reading labels on food is the only way to avoid the foods that cause food allergy symptoms.

Reducing Allergy Symptoms

If you suffer from allergic rhinitis or environmental allergies, certain foods have been shown to lower allergic reactions to substances that cause allergies. Some research has shown that eating nuts may reduce wheezing in those with allergies or asthma. When nuts were eaten three to four times per week, the children in one study had less wheezing than those in the group that did not eat nuts.

Some other foods have also been found to reduce the effects of allergies and asthma, including red grapes. The skin of this fruit is loaded with antioxidants and resveratrol. Eating red grapes every day can reduce allergic rhinitis and respiratory inflammation and reduce wheezing. Oranges act as a natural expectorant by removing phlegm from the throat and lungs, so they are a helpful addition to the diet of anyone who suffers from allergic rhinitis. Tomatoes have been found to improve wheezing as well.

Some people have found that seasonal allergies and allergic rhinitis are improved when they follow the Mediterranean Diet. The focus of this diet is eating fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes and olive oil, while limiting dairy, sweets, processed foods and red meat. Someone who suffers from a food allergy can benefit from eating only the fruits, vegetables, nuts and legumes that do not cause an allergic reaction. Those who suffer from both a food allergy and allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergies need to use extra care in what they eat, always avoiding the food that can cause a serious allergic reaction.