Allergies Tips
According to the news this weekend 2011 is the worst year for allergies since 1890-something. Tell me something I didn't notice. They're giving a lot of tips right now and some of them are great others make me want to scream. As a long time suffer here is my take on it.
1. Don't eat fruit.
Really?! This is like saying all cholesterol is bad like they told us back in the '80's. The thing with fruit is that some varieties, like bananas and apples, have a protein structure that mimics certain tree pollens. This is why some kids just hate eating the stuff. It makes you feel 'bad' even if you're not allergic to the food itself. BUT if you cook the fruit you break down that protien stucture and no problems. So why don't the experts tell us this?! And I've been to many since a young child. I had to hunt down the information in various allergy related websites and magazines as an adult. You need to eat healthy to deal with the allergies in the first place.
So some fruit ideas:
Add a handful of blueberries to your favorite cornbread recipe. Strawberries are good too.
Banana Walnut chocolate chip muffins anyone?
Mash a banana into your pancake batter and fry as usual
Peel and slice an apple per person and simmer for about 15 minutes in a little apple juice or water and cinnamon. Serve as a side dish or spoon over pancakes/frenchtoast for a cheap healthy meal. Cool and puree for applesauce.
Do the same for strawberries, pears, etc.
You get the idea and you don't need to up your sugar in take. And if you are like me you may find your children are suddenly eating fruits that they never would before.
2. Local honey.
Use with caution. This can help or it can make things worse. For my daughter it's meant an asthma attack within 5 minutes.
3. Do wash frequenty and try to keep your face free from pollens.
4. Do try to be inside at night with the windows closed.
5. Caffeine. The stimulant helps. Even for little kids.
6. For the rashes and increased 'acne' try creams with alpha hydroxy acid and retinoids. (But test use first. Everyone is different)
I get the rashes. My MD takes one look and will prescribe the heavy steroids. But the doctors couldn't figure out why I would have the rash from my scalp to the souls of my hands and feet but not on my face. It was the anti-wrinkle cream I was using (a generic form of Nutragena w/ alpha hydroxy). I've used it to treat out breaks ever since.
Anyway my rant is over. I just wish the 'experts' weren't sounding like amateures.
1. Don't eat fruit.
Really?! This is like saying all cholesterol is bad like they told us back in the '80's. The thing with fruit is that some varieties, like bananas and apples, have a protein structure that mimics certain tree pollens. This is why some kids just hate eating the stuff. It makes you feel 'bad' even if you're not allergic to the food itself. BUT if you cook the fruit you break down that protien stucture and no problems. So why don't the experts tell us this?! And I've been to many since a young child. I had to hunt down the information in various allergy related websites and magazines as an adult. You need to eat healthy to deal with the allergies in the first place.
So some fruit ideas:
Add a handful of blueberries to your favorite cornbread recipe. Strawberries are good too.
Banana Walnut chocolate chip muffins anyone?
Mash a banana into your pancake batter and fry as usual
Peel and slice an apple per person and simmer for about 15 minutes in a little apple juice or water and cinnamon. Serve as a side dish or spoon over pancakes/frenchtoast for a cheap healthy meal. Cool and puree for applesauce.
Do the same for strawberries, pears, etc.
You get the idea and you don't need to up your sugar in take. And if you are like me you may find your children are suddenly eating fruits that they never would before.
2. Local honey.
Use with caution. This can help or it can make things worse. For my daughter it's meant an asthma attack within 5 minutes.
3. Do wash frequenty and try to keep your face free from pollens.
4. Do try to be inside at night with the windows closed.
5. Caffeine. The stimulant helps. Even for little kids.
6. For the rashes and increased 'acne' try creams with alpha hydroxy acid and retinoids. (But test use first. Everyone is different)
I get the rashes. My MD takes one look and will prescribe the heavy steroids. But the doctors couldn't figure out why I would have the rash from my scalp to the souls of my hands and feet but not on my face. It was the anti-wrinkle cream I was using (a generic form of Nutragena w/ alpha hydroxy). I've used it to treat out breaks ever since.
Anyway my rant is over. I just wish the 'experts' weren't sounding like amateures.