This has been one of the longest winters on record. I don’t know about you, but the thought of moving to a warmer climate has crossed my mind more than once!
But finally, the air is starting to warm up. Trees buds are blooming, flowers are starting to poke through the earth, and birds are singing.
And alongside the birdsong, I can also hear the echoes of sneezes while I walk through Central Park.
With spring quickly and happily approaching, many of us are beginning to feel the effects of seasonal allergies: sneezing, runny nose, watery and itchy eyes. Sound familiar?
Unfortunately, the advent of spring also brings a return of allergies and asthma (and at times, allergies and asthma can go hand in hand!)
However, there is hope. One of the great benefits that I discovered when I became gluten free is that my allergies disappeared. Even though they used to be unbearable and lasted for a couple of months, they haven’t returned once since going gluten free.
Of course, there’s a slew of medications that help alleviate your symptoms. But, there are some of the ingredients in your kitchen can help as well.
5 Kitchen Ingredients to Help Reduce Allergies and Asthma
Here are 5 ingredients that you can add to your next meal to reduce your allergies and asthma by decreasing inflammation:
Salmon
This succulent fish is packed with omega 3 fatty acids. It is important to choose wild, Atlantic salmon and not farm raised. It can be grilled or baked, and it tastes delicious when well seasoned with dill.
Spinach / Kale
Studies have shown that individuals with asthma have low levels of magnesium. If you suffer from asthma, both spinach and kale contain high doses of magnesium. I suggest adding spinach or kale to your your salad or sauté them as a side to your salmon.
Cabbage
This versatile food contains high levels of B6. Lots of stress can decrease your level of B6, so an easy way to replenish your body’s supply is to make cabbage part of your meal. It comes in a variety of colors, and it can be cooked or eaten raw in place of your romaine lettuce. For some amazing cabbage recipes, check out these Yummly recipes.
Onions
I cook almost everything with onions. Most often, I sauté onions with garlic as a base for almost every meal that I make. My favorite dishes are caramelized onions on top of a grass fed beef burger, in eggs, in stir fry’s, and in quiche for Sunday brunch.
Berries
Throw them into your next smoothie with some greens, lemon, and cucumber. Add them in your salad or toss them into a parfait made with plain greek yogurt and gluten free granola, then drizzle honey over it. You can toss them over your pancakes or in your batter, or add them to your bowl of ice cream.
Over to You
If you suffer from allergies or asthma, give these foods a try and let me know if they reduce your symptoms. And if you have other foods that have worked for you, let me know in the comments below!
