Diet for Mold Allergies

Mold allergies are caused by mold and mold spores that settle onto your food and multiply. A mold-free diet requires temporarily reducing or eliminating foods such as dairy, ground meat and sour breads, according to "The Allergy Exclusion Diet." Although you cannot completely remove mold from your diet, eliminating foods that contain mold can reduce the recurrence of your allergic flare-ups. Talk to your physician or dietitian before eliminating foods from your diet, and to gain a better understanding of your condition.

Dairy and Bread

• Cheese, dairy and sour breads are all susceptible to mold due to their short shelf life, and they should be avoided in order to control your allergies. According to "The Allergy Exclusion Diet," although many foods that contain mold can safely be eaten by scooping off the mold, on cheese it cannot be removed due to mold penetrating below the surface of the cheese. Do not smell potentially moldy foods to determine freshness, as inhaling mold can cause an allergy flare-up. Avoid yeast and products that contain yeast extract, such as processed food, soups and frozen foods. Barley, oats and potatoes are safe to eat, according to Dr. Frank K. Kwong, author of "The Complete Allergy Book." Your refrigerator can contain an abundance of mold and should be cleaned at least once a week.

Vegetables and Meat

• Vegetables are highly susceptible to mold and should be thoroughly checked for mold, often found in the form of soft spots, before consuming. Do not eat raw vegetables. According to "The Allergy Exclusion Diet," canned vegetables must be consumed within 24 hours after opening; otherwise, they will become contaminated. If mold is present on meat, throw it out immediately, as it can cause food poisoning and other life-threatening illnesses. Fish should also be eaten within 24 hours after purchasing because it spoils quickly, and it should be stored in a resealable bag or plastic container.

Fruits and Nuts

• Buy fresh fruits, and be sure to eat them within two to three days to avoid mold contamination. Bananas should be avoided, as they mold quickly and cannot be refrigerated. Grapes, berries and melons should also be avoided because they attract mold. Wash and peel the skin off all fruit before eating. Dried fruit contains high amounts of mold and should be eliminated from your diet. Nuts are often colonized from mold or yeast and should be eliminated from your diet as well.