Although nearly any food can cause an allergic reaction, a few foods account for about 90% of reactions. Among adults these foods are peanuts, nuts, fish and shellfish. Among children, they are egg, milk, peanuts, soy, and wheat.
I used to think what I ate didn't affect my skin ... then I began to study how nutrition can affect the performance of our bodies. It didn't take a genius to understand the connection between nutrition and health, and I realized that nutrition can greatly affect the largest organ of our bodies, the skin. Research shows how all different kinds of minerals, vitamins, proteins, fats, enzymes and acids can work together and affect the immune system, our skin, bacteria and sensitivities to stress.
Just as we realize that the external chemicals that come in contact with our skin affect the skin, we know that the things we consume internally will affect our skin, see: World's Healthiest Foods to research the foods you eat and how they affect health. Here's a great site that can teach you how to incorporate healthy bacteria into your diet with foods: Body Ecology Diet and another site that sells Rejuvenative Foods. Also, Carol Alt's Raw Food Diet article and the
Good Skin Diet.
Cut down on white breads and substitute with whole grain breads
Dairy products can make some people flare up, but yogurt doesn't
Consume more raw fruits and vegetables for enzymes, nutrients and digestion
Drink more water and cut down on sodas, alcohol and coffee
Tomatoes can make some people flare up (they are alkaline raw and acidic when cooked)
Salt is alkalizing and is a strong natural antihistamine. Refined table salt is stripped of 82 of the 84 minerals salt has. Celtic salt is best and is found in health food stores. You can try No-salt (rich in potassium). Iodized salt makes some flare up.
If you suspect candida, you may visit The Candida Web Page for further information. Cutting down on sugars, yeasts, vinegar, dairy and increasing increase raw vegetables can be helpful.
Maple Syrup vs. White Refined Sugar
The regular use of white refined sugar can create constant imbalances which in turn will adversely affect the normal function of the liver, pancreas and spleen. These organs are important in detoxification and digestion. Special note: See how cinnamon prevents Type 2 diabetes.
Like natural fruits and vegetables, Grade B Maple Syrup is a balanced sugar and does not have the side effects that white refined sugar have. It also has a large variety of minerals and vitamins: sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, iron, copper, phosphorus, sulfur, chlorine and silicon, vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, C, nicotinic acid, and pantothenic acid.
A delightful snack that tastes a lot like chocolate is ground (always grind) flaxseeds mixed with the maple syrup. Delicious!
