Food to Avoid During Allergy Season

Certain pollens found on the trees or vines of fruits and vegetables can cause an allergic reaction. These are especially high in concentration during specific seasons. During the spring and fall, some foods can cause itching, swelling of the throat and lips, digestion problems and constricted airways. According to Revolution

Health, certain fruits and vegetables should be avoided due to the large amount of histamines in some foods. These foods should be reduced or eliminated from your diet until symptoms subside or your doctor says it is safe.

Raw Fruits And Vegetables That Cross-React

Your immune system may mistake the plant proteins contained in certain fruits and vegetables for pollen, triggering what's called a cross reaction in the body. This reaction increases allergy symptoms such as itching of the lips, mouth and throat shortly after eating the foods in their raw form. For example, bananas and zucchini may cross-react in your body if you are allergic to ragweed. Cooking, baking, canning or microwaving the fruits and vegetables may destroy the proteins that cause cross reactions, so fruits and vegetables may continue to be enjoyed during allergy season as long as they aren't eaten raw.

Dairy Foods that Thicken Mucus

Certain foods thicken the mucus that your body produces; this mucus is produced to defend your body from potentially harmful foreign substances. Mucus should be clear and runny to help rid your body of allergens. When mucus thickens, it doesn't travel through your body well, and allergens become trapped inside your body rather than being cleared out through your nose and mouth. Milk and dairy products made from milk, such as cheese and yogurt, thicken mucus and make it more likely to irritate your throat.

Foods that Promote Histamine

Certain foods -- especially ones that have been fermented -- contain or may cause your body to produce a substance called histamine that you naturally release when fighting allergens. Histamine causes classic seasonal allergy symptoms, such as sneezing, wheezing and itching of the eyes and nose. Avoiding foods that are rich in histamine may help you reduce the amount of histamine your body releases, which may reduce the allergy symptoms you experience. Michigan Allergies, Sinus & Asthma Specialists reports that histamine-promoting foods include cheeses, processed meats, smoked fish, dried fruits like raisins, mushrooms, avocados, eggplant, tomatoes, sour cream and foods that contain vinegar. Alcoholic beverages, particularly wine and beer, also promote histamine.