Food as Medicine for Seasonal Allergies

Few things can disrupt a person's normally functioning life like seasonal allergies. They can hit immediately upon waking and inflict inconvenience and misery throughout the day. Some people try allergy medications, and sometimes they work---but sometimes they don't. Luckily, there are foods you can eat to battle those annoying seasonal allergies.

Fruits and Veggies

• Drink a lot of fruit juices, which are rich in antioxidants and help reduce inflammation. Be sure you're drinking real juice and not those made from concentrate or artificial flavors. Fresh fruits and vegetables are likewise a good source of antioxidants, particularly fresh berries.

Fish and Oils

• Eat plenty of fish, including cod, haddock and salmon (though any cold-water fish will do), as well as flaxseed oil, all of which are great sources of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids.
  At the same time, try reducing the amount of omega-6 fatty acids, which are found in corn oil, sunflower oil, cottonseed oil, salad dressing, mayonnaise and most fast foods. Eating these omega-6 fatty acids will undo any benefit you might gain from eating omega-3 fatty acids, since foods that contain omega-6 oils encourage inflammation.

Spices

• Be sure to include turmeric and ginger in your diet, both of which are natural anti-inflammatory agents.

Minerals

• Increase the amount of magnesium in your diet. Foods high in magnesium include pinto beans, sunflower seeds, tofu, spinach, black-eyed peas, halibut and artichokes. In addition, add zinc to your diet by eating tofu, oysters, crab and yogurt.