How to Ease Seasonal Allergies With Food & How Certain Foods Can Trigger Seasonal Allergies

Seasonal allergies can also be linked to certain food allergies. Pollen food allergy syndrome, also known as oral allergy syndrome (OAS), occurs when a protein in a fruit, vegetable, or nut that is similar to a protein in allergy-causing pollen causes you to have a reaction. In other words, the body mistakes a protein in a certain food for an allergy-causing pollen protein, causing you to have a reaction to that food.

For example, some people experience redness, swelling, and itching of the mouth and tongue when they eat a banana. They may have a ragweed allergy, and their body mistakes a certain protein in bananas for the protein found in ragweed pollen that causes the allergy. The structure of the proteins is so similar that it confuses the immune system.

The good news is, most of the time the reaction does not last long and is not lifethreatening. It is typically specific to the mouth and not systemic. If you experience a systemic reaction (like anaphylactic shock) with certain foods, it is recommended you see an allergist.

One out of five individuals with grass allergies and seven out of ten individuals with birch tree allergies suffer from oral allergy syndrome. This means that not everyone with seasonal allergies experiences OAS. Those with grass allergies may experience a reaction when eating tomatoes or potatoes. Those with ragweed allergies may experience a reaction when eating melons, zucchini, cucumber, or bananas.

Those with birch tree allergies may experience a reaction when eating celery, kiwi, cherries, hazelnuts, almonds, pears, plums, peaches, carrots, or apples. If you find that you tolerate a certain fruit or vegetable peeled better than raw, it’s possible that the fruit or vegetable came in contact with the allergy-causing pollen.

If you have OAS, it is recommended that you experiment with different fruits and vegetables in their raw, cooked, canned, and dried states. Often, people with OAS who do not tolerate a certain raw fruit or vegetable will tolerate that food once it has been cooked. The reason for this may be related to the breakdown of the protein during the cooking process.

Washing and/or peeling raw fruits and vegetables can also be the difference between experiencing a reaction and tolerating a specific food, especially if the reason for the reaction was the food coming into physical contact with an allergy-causing protein. Consider consulting with an allergist for any additional concerns you may have with seasonal or food allergies.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie for Soothing Allergies

Prep Time: 5 minutes | Makes 2 Servings

Ingredients:

2 cups strawberries

1 banana

1/4 cup whole rolled oats

2 cups unsweetened almond milk or oat milk

2 Tbsp hemp seeds

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a blender, and blend until smooth.

Pour into a glass, and enjoy!

How to Ease SeasonalAllergies With Food

Kristi Edwards and Erin Dragutsky, co-founders of 901 Nutrition, LLC are licensed and registered dietitians in Memphis. Kristi specializes in helping clients implement dietary changes that can delay and prevent the need for dialysis, as well as clients who consume plant-based diets. Erin specializes in helping clients with eating disorders and disordered eating habits. She is passionate about helping clients ditch the diets for good, find food freedom, and develop a positive relationship with food. Learn more and sign up for monthly recipe books at 901nutrition.com or call 901.800.9526