Did you know that food can play a significant role in triggering asthma attacks? Well, if you or someone you know has asthma, you know how scary an attack can be.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease that causes inflammation and narrowing of airway passages, making it hard to breathe. While asthma can’t be cured, you can manage the condition through medication and other lifestyle choices. Diet is one such lifestyle choice.

In this article, we’ll discuss the link between diet and asthma and what foods to exclude to avoid triggers.

How Does Diet Affect Asthma?

If you have asthma, you have sensitive airways that can react to various triggers. Some common triggers include pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold, and pollutants. Certain types of food can also trigger asthma symptoms in some people.

These foods can cause an allergic reaction (food allergy-induced asthma) or an inflammatory response (non-allergic food-induced asthma).

Foods to Exclude to Avoid Asthma Triggers

If you have asthma, it’s crucial to identify your food triggers and exclude them from your diet. Here are some of the common food triggers:.

Sulfites

Sulfites are preservatives found in wine, beer, dried fruits, canned goods, and certain condiments. Sulfites can trigger asthma symptoms in 5-10% of people with asthma. Symptoms may include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.

If you’re one of the 5-10% of people with asthma who are sulfite-sensitive, it’s essential to read labels carefully and avoid sulfite-containing foods.

Dairy Products

Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt may trigger asthma symptoms in some people.

The link between dairy and asthma is still not well understood, but some experts believe that dairy may increase mucus production in the airways, making breathing more difficult. If you notice that dairy triggers your asthma symptoms, you may want to try eliminating or reducing your dairy intake for a few weeks to see if your symptoms improve.

Eggs

Eggs are a common food allergen, and some people with egg allergies may experience asthma symptoms after consuming eggs. Symptoms may include hives, swelling, wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.

If you’re allergic to eggs, you’ll need to avoid all egg-containing foods and products.

Processed Foods

Processed foods like fast food, chips, snacks, and canned goods are often high in sodium, preservatives, and artificial additives. These ingredients can trigger asthma symptoms in some people.

If you have asthma, it’s best to stick to whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

Gluten

While there isn’t a direct link between gluten and asthma, some people with asthma may have gluten intolerance. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, and other grains.

Gluten intolerance can cause inflammation in the body and trigger asthma symptoms in some people. If you suspect you have gluten intolerance, you’ll need to avoid all gluten-containing foods and products.

Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase heart rate and breathing. For some people with asthma, caffeine can trigger symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, jitters, and shortness of breath.

If you’re sensitive to caffeine, it’s best to avoid or limit your intake of caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, and soda.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are generally good for you, but some people may experience asthma symptoms after consuming certain types of produce. This reaction is known as oral allergy syndrome (OAS) or pollen-food allergy syndrome.

OAS occurs when your immune system mistakes the proteins in certain fruits and vegetables for pollen, causing an allergic reaction. The symptoms of OAS may include itching or swelling of the throat, mouth, and tongue. Some of the common OAS triggers include apples, bananas, melons, tomatoes, and celery.

If you experience symptoms after eating fruits or vegetables, talk to your doctor about allergy testing.

Foods with Additives and Colorings

Some food additives and colorings can also trigger asthma symptoms. For example, yellow food dye (tartrazine) has been known to cause asthma attacks in some people.

Other additives that may trigger asthma include monosodium glutamate (MSG), sodium benzoate, and sodium nitrate. If you have asthma, it’s essential to read labels and avoid foods that contain these additives and colorings.

Conclusion

By excluding certain foods from your diet, you can avoid asthma triggers and reduce your risk of asthma attacks. Work with your doctor or a registered dietitian to identify your food triggers and develop a healthy, asthma-friendly diet plan.

Remember to read food labels carefully, choose whole, unprocessed foods where possible, and avoid known asthma triggers.