Whether you have true food allergies (IgE cell-mediated response—if you want to get scientific) or a food sensitivity (non-IgE response), the symptoms can be the same. As far as our treatments are concerned, we can successfully relieve most allergy symptoms as well as those to intolerances and sensitivities.
The list of foods that are high in histamines is quite large. I’m going to narrow down to the most important ones that commonly trigger sinus/respiratory, digestive, skin, eyes, fatigue, headache/migraine, and muscular/circulatory problems. Although I’m narrowing down, there are still a lot of them.
These are the highest histamine-releasing foods:
- Bananas, Chocolate, Most Citrus Fruits, Eggs, Fish, Milk, Many Nuts, Shellfish, Strawberries, Tomatoes
- Alcoholic drinks especially wine, Champaign and beer
- Avocados, Spinach, Olives, Mushrooms
- Processed Meats like hot dogs and lunch meats
- Yogurt, Sour Cream, Buttermilk, Cheeses
- Gluten-containing grains like Wheat, Rye, Barley, and many Oats
- Yeast containing foods like Bread, Cakes, Crackers, etc. (including gluten-free)
- Vinegar and vinegar containing foods like mayonnaise, Salad Dressing, Ketchup
- Pickles, Relishes, Pickled Foods
Quite a list, isn’t it?
But wait there’s more…
All fermented foods are rich in histamine and molds, both of which are highly allergenic. And yes, that includes sauerkraut, kombucha, and all fermented beverages.
Did you really think we were done? You can add to the list energy drinks, black tea, matte tea, and green tea.
I know what some of you are thinking—green tea, fermented foods, as well as many of the other foods listed above, are healthy, healing, and should be eaten.
