The first thing any allergist will tell you is get rid of the offenders. I know that I'm allergic to most types of pollen, so I avoid those as much as I can. If I need to do yardwork I wear a mask, and try to do the best I can to keep my house clean. I avoid synthetic fragrances, and moldy environments. There are certain foods that I know I am particularly sensitive to, like raw walnuts, raw broccoli and cauliflower, beer, blue cheese, wheat, etc.
The funny thing I've found, however, is that allergies build upon each other. There are certain times of the year when I can have a glass of wine with no ill effects, and other times of the year when even the smallest amount will give me a headache, stuff up my nose, and make me regret my beverage choices the next morning. Inflammation tends to build on inflammation. When the pollen is already making me tired and itchy, any other potential irritants are magnified. If the pollen count is high and I haven't been eating any inflammatory foods like sugar and flour, then chances are better that I won't react to the walnuts or blue cheese. However, if the pollen count is high and I've been putting a little too much life into living, I find that even my beloved avocado will give me an itchy mouth.
That's where I find myself today. I keep testing the limits to see if I can get away with eating certain things, and my body keeps telling me otherwise. My daughter made cookie dough last night, so I experimented by eating a couple of spoonfuls. I immediately felt the gastrointestinal effects, woke up with a headache and congestion, and am now feeling the itchy sensitivity to other foods.
I've gotta tell you, I'm angry. Angry that I can't eat some of my favorite foods without feeling terrible, angry that I can't drink wine with my friends, but most of all, angry at myself for not believing what my body's been telling me for years. I'm also angry that no one ever told me years ago that certain foods could affect me like this. It seems that sometimes it's easier to give us a prescription for the latest allergy medicine than it is to suggest dietary and lifestyle changes. I'm not bagging on my doctors--I've had some truly amazing allergists throughout the years, I just don't think that's how traditional medicine has typically worked. And honestly, how many people would rather take a pill than give up some of their favorite foods? I don't know that I would have if you told me that when I was 16 years old. (It's hard enough at 50!)
It comes down to my choices. If I stay away from sugar and gluten, then I can eat walnuts and avocado. If I drink vodka or tequila instead of wine, then I won't feel like a train hit me the next morning. And if I'm still avoiding the heavy hitters and the pollen count is down in the dead of winter, chances are I might be able to have a wee bit of blue cheese and red wine without the consequences.
It's all about listening to your body and paying real attention, and you can't do that until you make the decision to do a little experimenting. Give your body a break from some of these foods and see how much better you can feel.
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