Seasonal Allergies and Related Foods!

I read this in the September issue of Health magazine:

If you have fall allergies, you may be able to minimize your symptoms by skipping certain foods and drinks, says Clifford Bassett, MD, member of the public-education committee of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Your body interprets chemicals in these foods the way it would allergens like pollen - which can lead to itchiness or tingling in your mouth and throat, as well as worsening of your sneezing, runny nose, or watery eyes. Check this chart for surprising triggers, and consider avoiding them.

IF YOU'RE ALLERGIC TO —     Avoid:

RAGWEED — Bananas, canteloupes, chamomile tea (a close cousin of ragweed), echinacea (another close ragweed relative), honeydews, watermelons and zucchinis

TREE POLLEN — Almonds, apples, carrots, cherries, hazelnuts, peaches, pears, plums

GRASS — Melons, oranges, tomatoes

ANY SEASONAL ALLERGENS — Beer, liquor, wine (all three contain histamine, a compound that triggers allergy symptoms like itching and swelling)

A Good Starters Guide to Avoiding Chemicals in Food

I think most of these tips are pretty basic, but a good reminder. Very important I think is the one mentioning to check ingredients labels. I hardly ever buy anything pre-packaged anymore. Just too much artificial chemical additives. Fresh food seems best. If there are too many ingredients I've never heard of or can't spell or pronounce, it's probably not a product for me :) I've found ways to cook fresh food fast, so I can avoid a lot of time and energy on my feet.

http://nutrition.about.com/od/ahealthykitchen/qt/How-To-Avoid-Chemicals-In-Your-Food.htm

Does anyone have any fast and easy, healthy recipes to share? I was thinking of adding a recipes tab on this blog :)

Delayed Food Allergies and Food Sensitivities

I got this through a migraine blog I follow, and found it very interesting as it also relates to fibro and food sensitivities we may have. The third video on this link relates most to fibro, and I have found the follow up videos and provided the links below.

(Dr. Daniel C. Dantini is a fibromyalgia specialist in the United States)

I have found certain delayed food sensitivities to certain foods that bring about a migraine in me. It can be hours or a day later that the migraine shows up. For example,I am careful to avoid raw onions, lemons and oranges, soy sauce, peanut butter and hot dogs. As the years go by I do seem to develop new sensitivities to foods that once were ok for me. My Mom, who also suffers from migraines, has different sensitivities that have developed causing her migraines: blue cheese, vinegar, chocolate (especially dark) to name a few.

I have read about elimination diets and fibro, where you maintain a strict basic diet for 4-6 weeks, and then slowly introduce foods that may be causing your symptoms as a test. I have not had the patience to try this yet to see what foods may be causing my fibro symptoms :( So maybe this blood test that Sage Medical offers will help me? Dr. Dantini's research has led him to develop this blood test that tests the antibodies in your blood and see what you may be sensitive to. (see more below about Sage)

http://headacheandmigrainenews.com/delayed-food-allergies-one-specialist-speaks-out/

Direct link to the video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UYCzsrDqec&feature=player_embedded

Follow up videos:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FyrPMspGr-0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YpGRd8MXE0&NR=1

Dr. Dantini works at the Sage Medical Laboratory in Ormond Beach, Florida. I checked out their website too, and it sounds interesting. I am thinking about ordering the blood testing kit, their website states most insurance covers the blood test. (Crossing my fingers on that one!!)

http://www.sagemedlab.com

What I really like about all this is that it is tackling the CAUSES and not just treating the symptoms. I am so glad to see the mindset and the research heading in this direction, I feel its a very positive direction in helping with the future of treating fibromyalgia.