Oh yes — at least one third of seasonal allergy sufferers may have “oral allergy syndrome” —characterized by itchiness of the mouth, lips and throat, as well as the familiar sniffles and sneezing, after ingestion of various fresh fruits, vegetables and even nuts that cross react with tree, grass and weed pollens.

So what can you do? Well in many cases peeling, cooking and heating the fruits can reduce the likelihood of triggering seasonal allergy symptoms.  In some cases, the symptoms caused by the cross reaction are more likely during the height of the pollen season for that allergen.  That is spring time for seasonal tree and grass pollens in many areas of the U.S., and weed pollens usually during summer and early fall. 

So if you are sensitive to tree pollens you may react when eating apples, cherries, pears, apricots, kiwis, oranges, plums, almonds, hazelnut and walnuts.  I have actually seen some individuals with seasonal spring tree pollen allergies react to hazelnut flavored coffee!

Grass pollen may cross react with melon, tomato and orange.  Those who are sensitive to ragweed and weeds may react when ingesting banana, cantaloupe, cucumber, zucchini, watermelon and even chamomile tea!

Obviously having your seasonal allergy symptoms under control requires planning and often encourages my patients with seasonal allergies to develop an allergy action plan.  This way by following the allergy season calendar for your area and knowing the pollen count (go to www.aaaai.org/nab), you will be better prepared for those pesky allergy symptoms before they even begin!

Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine. He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. No information in this blog is intended as medical advice to any reader or intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.

If you are one of the many people fighting the battle of the bulge, you will be pleased to learn that there are actually foods that may help you burn fat.  You will still need to exercise and avoid over indulging. However, you may be able to speed up the fat-burning process by consuming these wonder foods.

1.  Low-Fat Dairy: Milk, Yogurt, Cottage Cheese
How:  They all contain calcium and studies show that not getting enough calcium may trigger the release of calcitrol, a hormone that causes us to store fat, whereas meeting your daily calcium needs helps us burn fat more efficiently. Dairy products can boost weight loss efforts, according to a study in the April issue of Obesity Research. People on a reduced-calorie diet who included three to four servings of dairy foods lost significantly more weight than those who ate a low-dairy diet containing the same number of calories. Low-fat yogurt is a rich source of weight-loss-friendly calcium, providing about 450 mg (about half the recommended daily allowance for women ages 19-50) per 8-ounce serving, as well as 12 grams of protein.

2.  Berries
How: they are high in fiber. Fiber is the magic bullet of weight loss. It keeps you full and satisfied all day on virtually no calories. A 1 cup serving of raspberries contains 8g of fiber and only 60 calories!  Strawberries, blackberries and blueberries are all other high-fiber berries.  Fiber makes us feel full sooner and stays in our stomach longer than other substances we eat, slowing down our rate of digestion and keeping us feeling full longer. Fiber also moves fat through our digestive system faster so that less of it is absorbed.

3. High-fiber cereals
How: A study from the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that women who ate cereal were 30 percent less likely to be overweight than those who ate other breakfast foods.  High-fiber cereals have fewer calories than other breakfast options (eggs, bacon, donuts and muffins), and the fiber helps to keep you feeling full all morning so you are less likely to need a snack before lunch.  Also, fiber helps to keep insulin levels in check which prevents fat storage.

4.  Citrus Fruits: Oranges, Grapefruit, Lemon, Limes
How: Foods that contain vitamin C help metabolize fat faster and make losing weight less difficult.  You only need 60 milligrams (mg) of vitamin C a day to meet your body’s basic needs, but according to the study, raising your daily intake to 500 mg could boost your fat burning potential during exercise by 39 percent. Researchers at Scripps Clinic found that participants who ate half a grapefruit with each meal in a 12-week period lost an average of 3.6 pounds. The study indicates that the unique chemical properties in this vitamin C-packed citrus fruit reduce insulin levels, which promotes weight loss. NOTE: If you are taking medication, check with your doctor about any potentially adverse interactions with grapefruit.

5.  Green Tea
How: Green tea contains caffeine, which is a natural stimulant that can help your body burn more calories while at rest, meaning that you can burn fat without doing a thing.  Caffeine speeds up the heart rate and also frees fatty acids stored in the body, making them more readily available for energy use.  Also, green tea contains a compound called ECGC that may help to boost your metabolism by speeding up the nervous system. Green tea can also replace less healthy alternatives such as colas and excess coffee drinks which add calories to your diet.

6.  Water
How: Water helps to rid the body of toxins and chemicals that may be slowing down your overall metabolism.  By drinking at least 8 glasses of water a day, you can make sure that your digestion is running smoothly and that anything that shouldn’t be in your body is eliminated.  Many times, our hunger is really just thirst in disguise since the symptoms of dehydration mimic those of hunger (weak, cranky, tired, etc.) A new study seems to indicate that drinking water actually speeds up weight loss. Researchers in Germany found that subjects of the study increased their metabolic rates (the rate at which calories are burned) by 30 percent after drinking approximately 17 ounces of water. Water is also a natural appetite suppressant that banishes bloat as it flushes out sodium and toxins. Make sure that you are starting your day with a big glass of water and drink throughout the day not just all at one time.

7.  Soy beans: Either frozen in bags or dry-roasted
How: Soybeans contain lecitin, which helps your body keep your cells from accumulating fat. If you don’t have the time to steam them frozen, you can snack on dried or roasted ones.

8. Fish: Salmon, Tuna, Sardines
How: These fish all contain large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids which, besides being incredibly healthy, seem to affect metabolism.  Omega-3s alter levels of leptin, a hormone in the body which directly influences metabolism and determines whether you burn calories or store them as fat.  Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) found only in fish oils. Fish oil increases the levels of fat-burning enzymes in your body and decreases the levels of fat-storage enzymes. It’s also been shown to boost your metabolism by as much as 400 calories per day. Fish like mackerel, salmon and trout are great sources of omega-3, but you can also take capsules (take at least 300mg).

9. Lean Proteins: Lean Beef, Chicken and Turkey
How: All lean meats help to speed up the metabolism and burn more fat simply because they require so much energy for complete digestion. Studies have shown that people who follow a high-protein diet burn twice as many calories after a meal as people who follow a high-carbohydrate diet.  In addition, eating protein helps to preserve muscle mass during weight loss, keeping metabolism running at full speed. Rev up your fat-burning engine with this bodybuilder favorite. Countless studies have shown that protein can help boost metabolism, lose fat and build lean muscle tissue so you burn more calories. A 3-ounce serving of boneless, skinless lean turkey breast weighs in at 120 calories and provides 26 grams of appetite-curbing protein, 1 gram of fat and 0 grams of saturated fat.

10.  Spicy Peppers: Jalapenos, Habaneros, Chili peppers
How: Studies show that the chemical compound capsacin, found in peppers, speeds up your heart rate and metabolism.  Eating a very spicy meal can actually speed up the metabolism by about 25 percent for up to 3 hours.  Keep Tabasco sauce on the table to spice up everything from scrambled eggs to soup to pasta. 

11.  Pistachios
How: Studies show that pistachios fight weight gain by slowing down rises in blood sugar levels and curbing hunger.  Nut consumption in general is associated with a lower body mass index and has not been associated with weight gain.  Pistachios have a significant amount of protein and are among the highest fiber nuts which slow down digestion, and keep you feeling fuller longer than low-protein, low-fiber snacks.  You also get a lot of nuts for a one ounce serving which helps psychologically.  For a 1-ounce portion of pistachios, you get 49 pistachios versus only 23 almonds and 18 cashews (in an equal one ounce portion). 

12.  Apples and Pears
How:  Overweight women who ate the equivalent of three small apples or pears a day lost more weight on a low-calorie diet than women who didn’t add fruit to their diet, according to researchers from the State University of Rio de Janeiro. Fruit eaters also ate fewer calories overall. So next time you need to satisfy a sugar craving, reach for this low-calorie, high-fiber snack. You’ll feel full longer and eat less.

13. Soup
Eat less and burn fat faster by having a bowl of soup as an appetizer or a snack. According to a Penn State University study, soup is a super appetite suppressant because it’s made up of a hunger-satisfying combination of liquids and solids. In the study, women chose one of three 270-calorie snacks before lunch. Women who had chicken and rice soup as a snack consumed an average of 100 fewer calories than those in the study who opted for a chicken and rice casserole or the casserole and a glass of water.  Just make sure to avoid soups made with cream or loaded with pasta or potatoes.  Aim for broth based soups filled with vegetables for a low-calorie and filling meal or appetizer. Miso soup, vegetable soup and bean soups are all great options.

14. Broccoli
How: Study after study links calcium and weight loss. Broccoli is not only high in calcium, but also loaded with vitamin C, which boosts calcium absorption. This member of the nutritious cabbage family also has plenty of vitamin A, folate and fiber. And, at just 20-calories per cup, this weight-loss superfood not only fights fat but also contains powerful phytochemicals that boost your immunity and protect against disease.  Try it chopped in your salad, or sautéed and used in an omelet or as a side dish.

15. Garlic
How: Garlic is a blood thinner but also seems to have the ability to break down fat. Most people can take it or leave it, but by adding garlic to your diet, even in amounts you cannot detect, will help you in your fat-burning goals and get a number of other benefits. Garlic is also a diuretic.

Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD is a nutritionist and founder of Skinnyandthecity.com.  She is also the creator of The F-Factor Diet™, an innovative nutritional program she has used for more than ten years to provide hundreds of her clients with all the tools they need to achieve easy weight loss and maintenance, improved health and well-being.  For more information log onto www.FFactorDiet.com.

Nearly 50 million Americans have high cholesterol. There are two kinds of cholesterol: HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein). HDL is often called the “good” kind of cholesterol because it helps remove unwanted cholesterol from the body. LDL is the “bad” cholesterol made up primarily of fat, and is a particular risk factor for heart disease. So when setting out to lower your cholesterol, you need to know your HDL number, your LDL number, and your total cholesterol number.

This  chart will provide you with some helpful information:

High levels of cholesterol in the blood increase your chances of developing heart disease. In an effort to lower your cholesterol and reduce your risk, you must increase your fiber intake. Clinical studies show that a heart-healthy diet that is low-fat and includes lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grain products that contain fiber can lower blood cholesterol. Fiber, among its other benefits, seems to bind up cholesterol allowing it to be eliminated from your body. If enough is removed it can lower cholesterol by 10-15 percent.

Many studies have shown that fiber can slow the liver’s manufacture of cholesterol, as well as modify LDL particles to make them larger and less dense. Researchers believe that small, dense LDL particles pose a bigger health threat.

The American Dietetic Association recommends that Americans eat 20-35 grams of fiber per day. Here are some fiber-filled foods to help lower cholesterol:

•   Oat/oat bran/whole-wheat products
•   Dried beans and peas
•   Nuts
•   Barley
•   Flax seed
•   Fruits such as apples and pears
•   Vegetables such as carrots and broccoli
The key to improve overall health is not only dieting, but making physical activity a part of your daily routine. Regular physical activity is key to keeping your cholesterol low. Aerobic exercise may improve insulin sensitivity, HDL, and triglyceride levels, and may reduce your heart risk. People who exercise and control their diet appear to be more successful in long-term lifestyle modifications that improve their heart risk profile.
 
Tanya Zuckerbrot, MS, RD is a nutritionist and the creator of The F-Factor Diet™, an innovative nutritional program she has used for more than ten years to provide hundreds of her clients with all the tools they need to achieve easy weight loss and maintenance, improved health and well-being.  For more information log onto www.FFactorDiet.com.

Just yesterday I was traveling back from Seattle from the annual meeting of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.  Quite a coincidence I, the “allergist,” was seated next to a young woman who was recently hospitalized and admitted to the ICU for severe anaphylaxis to peanuts.

It was very relevant and timely, as the snack service provided by the airline included the serving of peanuts and peanut crackers to passengers.  My physician assistant and I immediately got involved and requested a “peanut-free zone” be extended around the food allergic passenger’s seat.  The flight attendants worked smoothly and professionally to make this happen and to avert a potentially serious health issue for the passenger who has a life threatening food allergy to peanut and nuts. 

Take home message: Don’t be afraid to speak up when traveling on a plane! Many airlines will likely try and accommodate you if they are aware of this type of condition.  It’s not a bad idea to alert the airline when you are making your reservation so the “on plane” staff is also aware of your allergies and can easily help assist you if peanut products are served aboard the aircraft. Some airlines have already moved to peanut free snack foods. Check with your airline to learn if they are peanut/nut free! For travelers with the severest allergies, it is best to bring food from home just to ensure freedom from allergy-causing ingredients.

Let’s review food allergy avoidance and management while away from home.

• First, if your provider has given you an epinephrine auto-injector (i.e. Twinject, Epi-Pen) make sure you have this medication with you at all times when traveling in case of anaphylaxis (food allergy and anaphylaxis plan should be in place). 
• Also remember to have a note from your provider indicating the need for you to carry the “auto-injector” on the plane. 

The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network is a great resource for food allergy safety tips while traveling if you or a family member has a food allergy.  One strategy mentioned is to choose the first flight available in the morning. Airplanes are sometimes cleaned at the end of each day and flying early in the morning may decrease the chance that the seats will contain food crumbs or residue.

Go to http://www.foodallergy.org/Advocacy/airlines.html for more information. It’s important to remember that more than 3 million Americans have food allergies to peanuts and nuts.

Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine.  He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.  No information in this blog is intended as medical advice to any reader or intended to diagnose or treat any medical condition.

The traditional Latin American diet is filled with so many grains, many of which are just recently making their way up north. Take quinoa, which hails from the Andean region and dates back thousands of years. The Incas were certainly well versed in many areas, nutrition among them. After all, it was the Incas who recognized the stamina-building value in quinoa. In fact, they called it chisaya mama (the mother of all grains). This easy-to-prepare and nutritionally well-endowed, almost nut-flavored grain, which has a nice, fluffy texture when cooked, is a healthy and flavorful alternative to white rice. This protein-packed grain is also a very good source of manganese, as well as magnesium, iron, copper, and phosphorous, and may be especially valuable for folks who suffer from migraine headaches, diabetes, and atherosclerosis.

Tubers? Where to begin! Let me start by saying that if you’ve never tried the high-carb, nutty, buttery, and smooth flesh of yucca, then you’ve been missing a lot! Don’t be put off by the barklike outside; this tuber is a fabulous alternative to potatoes.

Nuts are key players on my wife’s “yes you can have this as a snack” list! Rich in fiber, and antioxidants, such as vitamin E and selenium, they’re a perfect alternative to unhealthy foods when you’re craving something satisfying—and fast—to munch on! Nuts are also high in fat, but mostly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, such as omega-3—the good fats—which have all been shown to lower LDL cholesterol (see www.healthcastle.com/nuts-benefits.shtml). Even just lightly toasted (no salt, please!), nuts are a great addition to a leafy green salad, adding both variety of flavor and texture. But please note that the toasted nuts—because the oils are altered in the heating process—won’t last as long. Also, keep your fresh nuts in the freezer to give them a longer life.

No one wants to get old.  But, let’s face it, we have to.  And what you eat has a powerful effect on how you age. 
Click below for a video on the top 5 age defying foods.