[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]This article will give you an overview of some of the foods that have been found to cross react with a pollen allergy, grass allergy, mugwort allergy and ragweed allergy, as well as some basic facts about each allergen type. To learn more about the oral allergy syndrome (OAS) that is associated with seasonal allergies symptoms, read this article.
In most cases, people with grass, mugwort, ragweed and tree pollen allergy develop oral allergies only to a few of the foods included in the offenders list. Note that the oral allergy syndrome may occur throughout the year, and not only during high outdoor allergy season. To maintain a healthy balanced diet, it is important to first identify which foods trigger oral allergy reactions in your particular case, and then to continue eating the remaining foods on the list that do not seem to cause adverse reactions.
Grass pollen allergies peak during June and July summer months. Timothy and Orchard grass are the most commonly allergenic, however Bermuda grass, Johnson grass, Kentucky bluegrass and Sweet Vernal grass species are also known to cause allergies. [/vc_column_text][vc_message color=”info”]Fact: seasonal allergies symptoms of itchy and watery eyes are more common for those suffering from grass allergies than ragweed allergy sufferers. [/vc_message][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Grass pollen does not have an extensive food cross-reactivity list. It is linked to substances found in the following foods:
- celery
- melons
- oranges
- peaches
- tomatoes
- watermelon
- white potato
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][mpc_vc_icon_column icon=”fa-question” color=”#1e73be” title=”Did you know that Cryotherapy can help with seasonal allergies?” text=”Contact us for more info!” link=”http://cryotherapytoronto.ca/contact-us/”][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][mpc_vc_icon_column icon=”fa-lightbulb-o” color=”#1e73be” title=”Want to learn more about Whole Body Cryotherapy and why it can help you?” text=”Click here for more info!” link=”http://cryotherapytoronto.ca/what-is-whole-body-cryotherapy-and-cryosauna/”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]Mugwort pollen is known to cause allergic rhinitis (hay fever) and asthma symptoms in many individuals. The cross-reactivity between food allergens and mugwort pollen is more extensive than that of grass pollen. However, these adverse reactions are most common in Europe and the western United States, not so much in Canada. The mugwort pollen allergy season runs from end of June to early September. You may notice your symptoms get worse after eating foods containing proteins that resemble those in mugwort: [/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]
Vegetables:
- broccoli
- carrot (raw, unpeeled)
- celery
- pepper
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]
Fruits:
- apple (raw)
- melon
- peache (unpeeled)
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]
Nuts & Seeds:
- chestnuts
- hazelnuts
- peanuts
- sunflower seeds
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]
Herbs & Spices:
- aniseed
- coriander
- cumin
- fennel seeds
- parsley
- rosemary
- sage
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]People suffering from a tree pollen allergy typically develop hay fever symptoms in spring months of April and May. Allergenic tree types include ash, alder, birch, box-elder, cedar, elm, male pollen producing maple and mulberry, oak and walnut. Birch pollen allergy is the biggest culprit of all tree seasonal allergies and is prevalent mainly in BC, Southern Ontario and Atlantic Provinces. Those with aggravating birch pollen allergy symptoms may experience itching, burning, and swelling of the mouth and lips when consuming certain trigger foods. Below is the list of foods to avoid or limit with a birch pollen allergy:[/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]
Vegetables:
- carrot (especially raw)
- celery (also cooked)
- chicory
- fennel
- green pepper
- parsnip
- potato (raw)
- tomato (especially raw
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]
Fruits & Berries:
- apple
- apricot
- avocado
- banana
- cherry
- fig
- kiwi
- nectarine
- pear
- peach (& peach peel)
- plum
- prune
- strawberry
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]
Legumes, Nuts, Seeds & Grains:
- almonds
- buckwheat
- hazelnuts
- lentil
- peanuts
- pea
- soybean
- sunflower seeds
- walnuts
- wheat
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/4″][vc_column_text]
Herbs & Spices:
- aniseed
- caraway
- coriander
- cumin
- dill
- parsley
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]People with a ragweed allergy suffer from their seasonal allergy symptoms from late August to October. Ragweed produces more pollen and grows faster and larger in urban conditions because of the slightly warmer micro-climate in those areas. Ragweed allergy is prevalent primarily in Southern Ontario and Western Quebec regions. There is very little ragweed in the Atlantic provinces and the Prairie. The cross-reactivity is largely related to the fruits in the melon family. However, drinking chamomile or even echinacea tea or eating sunflower seeds might also provoke an allergic response, as these are also part of the same botanical family. [/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_column_text]Those with a ragweed pollen allergy might get an adverse cross-reaction when eating the following foods:
- banana
- cantaloupe
- cucumber
- honeydew
- watermelon
- white potato
- zucchini (raw)
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_posts_slider count=”2″ interval=”0″ thumb_size=”full” posttypes=”post” posts_in=”1921, 1854″][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/3″][vc_posts_slider count=”2″ interval=”0″ thumb_size=”full” posttypes=”post” posts_in=”1879, 1919″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][vc_column_text]
References:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Oral Allergy Syndrome
The Association of Allergists and Immunologists of Quebec: Pollen-Food Syndrome
Healthwithfood.org: Birch Pollen Allergy: List of Foods to Avoid or Limit
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS)[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]