In some cases, avoiding certain foods or substances may help to reduce the frequency or severity of angioedema attacks.
To identify exactly what a person is reacting to, a restrictive diet is implemented. The initial phase of this diet, usually the first three weeks in the case of angioedema, is usually very restrictive and can be hard to follow at first.
- Common food allergy triggers, such as nuts, shellfish, and eggs, are always excluded. Processed or cured meats or meat products, black pepper, and sweets can also increase inflammation, and so are not permitted. Also the following are to be avoided.
- berries, apples, bananas, citrus fruits, strawberries, pineapple, kiwis
- alcohol, particularly red wine and beer
- tomatoes, garlic, onions, leeks
- bread, cheese, shrimp, milk, fish, and chicken
- Because store-bought items may contain flavor enhancers, coloring, preservatives, and other additives, they are avoided.
- Many fruits and vegetables contain substances that can cause inflammation, so they are usually avoided at first, with some exceptions.
Always permitted in such a diet are fresh, minimally processed milk, meat, butter, rice, tofu and some vegetables (the versatile broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and lettuce are especially notable).
If the restrictive diet reduces angioedema symptoms, then certain foods can be slowly reintroduced back into the patient’s diet. This allows medical professionals to pinpoint which foods may be causing or increasing the risks of a swelling episode.
If adding the food back into the diet does not cause an episode of swelling or any other reaction, then it can remain a part of the diet. If the frequency or the severity of the swellings increase, then it stays out.
Keep in mind when changing diets
Diets are notoriously tricky — what works for one person with angioedema may not work for another.
For example, despite being excluded from the anti-pseudoallergic diet, there is some evidence that specific foods such as tomatoes, blueberries, oranges, tuna, and dark leafy greens reduce inflammation. In addition, there is evidence that red meats, both processed and fresh, can increase inflammation in the body.
It’s always a good idea to consult with a dietician, nutritionist, or another medical professional before making dietary changes, as they will ensure that the diet is nutritionally complete and balanced, which, more than any other factor, will affect an individual’s overall health, and their inflammation along with it.