Food probably does not directly cause asthma, but certain food allergies or obesity that you may have triggers your asthma symptoms, according to the Health Central website. To minimize your asthma symptoms, you should learn what foods trigger your asthma and avoid them. Your allergist can help you do this.
About Asthma
When you have asthma, you have recurrent episodes of airflow limitation. This can cause you to wheeze, cough, become short of breath or have tightness in your chest. Obesity can be a contributing factor to asthma because carrying the extra weight can put too much pressure on the lungs. This may not be true asthma. It may be shortness of breath that resembles asthma, caused by carrying extra weight.
Triggers
Sulfites, which occur in foods by fermentation or are in processed foods, can trigger attacks in 20 percent of people with asthma, according to Health Central. You can find sulfites in artificial lemon or lime juice, beer, wine, hard cider, tea, juice, dried fruits or vegetables, maraschino cherries, guacamole, pickled foods (such as pickles, peppers and relishes), packaged hash browns and french fries and shrimp. Sulfites occur naturally in some foods and may trigger asthma. Those foods are asparagus, chives, cornstarch, garlic, leeks, eggs, lettuce, salmon, soy sauce, maple syrup and tomatoes.
Allergies
Asthma and allergies often go hand-in-hand. An allergy attack can trigger asthma symptoms, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology. If food allergies trigger your asthma, you should speak to your doctor or a dietitian on how to avoid your triggers and to help you come up with a better eating plan.
Symptoms of Allergies and Asthma
Typically, symptoms for a food allergy are a rash, hives, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. If you have those allergy symptoms, followed by wheezing and coughing, your allergies may be triggering an asthma attack, according to WebMD.
Common Foods for Allergies
Food allergies do not necessarily cause asthma symptoms. If you suspect food allergies are contributing to your asthma, you may want to start by avoiding the most common foods associated with allergies. They are eggs, cow’s milk, soy, peanuts, wheat, fish, shrimp, other shellfish, salads and fresh fruits.
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