ECZEMA PART 2: DIET

Originally published: JANUARY 21, 2019

If you are someone that suffers from the common imbalance of eczema, then you know how hard it can be to nail down an actual cause of your discomfort.  Research has shown that the growing number of causes of eczema- food allergies, sensitivities and intolerances, are the most common culprits to blame.  The best way to narrow down the foods that don’t work for you, is to reset the body with a 10-60 day elimination diet. Which means you’ll be eliminating the most common allergenic foods for that time period, and re-introducing them one-by-one, afterwards.  Here is a list of foods to think about, when trying to decipher what is causing flare up. These foods are the most common to contribute to flare-ups, but certainly not limited to. And it doesn’t matter if you only have certain things once a week, or everyday, sometimes that once a week is enough to create an outbreak.

• dairy (includes milk, butter, yogurt, cheese, etc)
• wheat (and gluten)
• soy (a cheap filler in many dressings, sauces, etc., also includes tofu, soy sauce)
• eggs (especially non-organic)
• peanuts
• shellfish
• sugar

It would be super helpful to also keep a food journal. Log how certain foods/ meals make you feel. This can be a direct connection! Our bodies are always giving us clues. Remember that not all healthy foods may be a good fit for you. Apples may be your best friend's saviour, but maybe for you, they create a state of inflammation within your body.

Foods to Include:

1. Improve your gut health, with fermented, probiotic rich foods like: kimchi, kombucha, organic tempeh, sauerkraut, miso, coconut kefir, and pickled vegetables.
2. Cruciferous Veggies are detox perfection: brussels sprouts, kale, arugula , cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower.
3. Hemp Seeds + Oil: Pretty much the perfect ratio of Omega 3, 6 and 9- which your skin needs (in the right amount) to decrease inflammation, hydrate the skin and help to build collagen.  The fibre content also helps grab unwanted waste and carry them out of the body..
4. Turmeric, ginger, black pepper: These spices are the ultimate in fighting inflammation! Chop them, sprinkle them, blend them… just get them in each day.
5. Fish: High in anti-inflammatory Omegas, this food is one to not miss in your weekly diet, if you are looking for healthier skin.
6. Greens like kale, swiss chard, arugula, and spinach: these babies main goal is to great alkalinity in the body. And the closer you can get to an alkaline body, the less disease can live in it.
7. Water: your body needs this for so many functions, your brain needs it to perform to its best level, the skin needs it for lubrication, it's how nutrients get from place to place in the body, and it's needed to carry waste and other nasty things out of the body.
8. Nettle Tea: This local herb is mega high in minerals and vitamins. I like to make a pot of this each day and sip until bedtime.

Assess your diet, keep a food journal and see where you can make small (or big) changes, depending on where you are at in your life. Start adding in the foods that help fight inflammation and add to skin health. Little by little, combined with last week's supplement list, you will start to see a difference.  Let me know what other plans have worked for you in the comments below xo.