Your diet might not cause eczema, but what you eat can definitely trigger the symptoms. The signs can become significantly worse if you eat foods that you are sensitive or allergic to. Hence, it is important to eliminate these foods from your diet to manage the condition better. So, here are the worst foods for eczema and itchy skin. 1. Dairy products Dairy products such as yogurt, cheese, butter, and cow milk are commonly associated with allergies in eczema patients. In addition to this, dairy products can harm the gastrointestinal tract lining. When there is damage to this lining, tiny holes are made, letting bigger particles of food enter inside the body. This can cause sensitivities and an allergic reaction. Among all the dairy products, the worst food is yogurt. It has added sugar, flavors, and natural colors, which can flare-up the symptoms of eczema. 2. Grapes It is recommended for eczema patients to avoid grapes or any products made from grapes, such as grape juice, raisins, or wines. Grapes contain three chemicals, including amines, salicylates, and MSG, known to promote itch. Salicylates, which are natural pesticides, are made from vegetables and fruits and can be found in some herbal medicines, aspirin, teething gel for babies, and perfumes.

Following a healthy diet can help you breathe better and sometimes even fight the symptoms of chronic breathing disorders like COPD and asthma. While certain foods can fight the symptoms, several others cause breathing problems. So, here is a list of top foods that cause breathing difficulties that should be avoided completely by asthma or COPD patients. 1. Fried foods Fried foods become greasy in excess and can cause extra pressure on the digestive system. The digestive system has to work harder to break down the fats and thus, it can cause bloating in the belly. This bloating often becomes a reason for discomfort in many people. Since the digestive juices are producing gas to digest food, breathing becomes difficult as it hurts the diaphragm. Fried foods also lead to extra weight gain. The fat accumulation caused due to fried foods usually happens around the middle part of the body. This again puts excessive pressure on the diaphragm, which further causes breathing problems. Therefore, fried foods are one of the top foods that cause breathing difficulties and must be avoided. These foods include french fries, jalapeno poppers, fried chicken, fried pickle, and fried fish. 2. Foods that lead to the production of gas If you are asthmatic, you need to avoid foods that produce gas in the body.

Diet plays a significant role when it comes to managing diabetes. A healthy lifestyle that consists of a strict diet is imperative to control the condition. While certain foods help manage the condition, others shoot up sugar levels. So, here’s a look at the worst foods people with diabetes must avoid. 1. Sodas and sweets Foods such as sodas, candies, and other desserts contain processed sugar. They have low-quality carbohydrates and do not have any nutritional value. They can make one’s blood sugar levels shoot up. Also, these foods contribute to increased body weight. Therefore, one must ensure these foods are off-limits if they wish to keep diabetes in check. 2. White bread Diabetics can eat bread, but only if it is not white. White bread contains refined, not whole grains. They have a high glycemic index and can thus make one’s blood sugar levels shoot up instantly. If a person wishes to eat bread, they must switch from white to whole grain. 3. Fruit-flavored yogurt While plain yogurt is considered healthy, fruit-flavored yogurt might be bad for diabetics. The fruit-flavored yogurts are made of low or no-fat milk and contain sugar and carbohydrates in abundance. About one cup of flavored yogurt, which is 245 grams, can contain 31 grams of sugar.

With the stressful lifestyles and sedentary days everyone has been leading, heart diseases are becoming increasingly common in the world. The rising number of heart attacks are linked to high cholesterol levels, particularly ‘bad’ LDL. While medication can be used to manage its levels, a good diet is extremely important to have cholesterol in check, which in turn improves heart health and reduces the risk of diseases. Accordingly, here are some superfoods for high cholesterol. 1. Oats A bowl of porridge as breakfast can work really well in lowering cholesterol levels. Oats are whole grains that contain a soluble fiber known as beta-glucan. This can reduce cholesterol levels if you are consuming more than 3g every day and help maintain a healthy diet. 3g of beta-glucan in a large bowl of porridge daily can reduce bad cholesterol levels by as high as 7% as per studies. 2. Soy Whole grains, pulses, and nuts are certain foods that are good to manage cholesterol. Another item that joins these in the list of superfoods for high cholesterol is soy. Including 15g soy protein in the everyday diet can reduce cholesterol levels by around 6%. One can get 15g of soy protein from 2 glasses of soy milk, a good portion of edamame beans, or a small portion of tofu.

Kids always have major nutritional requirements, and just regular meals are not enough to keep them full and healthy. However, it is important to understand that providing packaged snacks is not a solution, as these end up making the kids unhealthy. Here are some and easy snacks for kids that are healthy wholesomely delicious. 1. Rainbow Fruit Skewers Rainbow fruit skewers are quite healthy, good to eat, and extremely presentable. The skewers are colorful and fun ways to make the kids eat fruits. They are packed with essential nutrients that provide kids the energy they need. In addition to eating up the fruits in no time at all, kids enjoy the activity of making the skewers. 2. Yogurt Yogurt is a balanced snack for kids because it is rich in calcium and proteins and comes in different flavors like fruit and nut and frozen berry. Calcium is essential for the kids’ bones and their growth. Additionally, digestion is improved by yogurt because it contains live bacteria. But one must be aware that yogurt must not contain a lot of added sugars. Yogurt consumed plain or sweetened with honey is more preferred for kids. Another word of caution is to not give honey to kids aged less than a year, as they might be exposed to a type of serious infection called botulism.

Any person with ulcerative colitis needs to pay special attention to the diet they eat. Although foods are not be responsible for causing the condition, certain items flare up the symptoms. While doctors may prescribe certain medications (i.e., entyvio, stelara, and simponi), diet also helps keep the condition under check. Here are five foods to avoid for those with ulcerative colitis: 1. Cereal, whole grain bread, and pasta When a person with ulcerative colitis experiences a flareup of symptoms, they should avoid eating a high-fiber diet, as it can be difficult to digest. Whole grains are high in fiber content since the bran has not been removed. Foods like macaroni, cereal, bread, noodles, and pasta should be avoided. 2. Nuts Those with ulcerative colitis who have been prescribed a diet that is low in fiber content must avoid eating nuts that are cooked with other foods or have been turned into flour. The fiber found in nuts is not easy to digest. Peanuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, walnuts, cashews, pecans, almonds, and hazelnuts should not be consumed by those who have ulcerative colitis. 3. Whole-grain foods For ulcerative colitis patients, it is essential to avoid foods with whole-grain starches. These include oats, brown rice, quinoa, wild rice, and buckwheat.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a gastrointestinal disorder that lasts for a long time and causes regular discomfort. However, severe complications are not very commonly observed. IBS is a chronic condition that is sometimes also referred to as spastic colitis, mucous colitis, and nervous colon. Here are some important dietary tips for Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) patients. 1. Relax more often Relaxation techniques that are incorporated into the daily routine are very beneficial in the case of irritable bowel syndrome. Relaxation techniques have been known to reduce the symptoms of IBS. These include diaphragmatic/abdominal breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization/positive imagery. 2. Keep a diary It is very important to journal the food items you are eating and symptoms seen after consuming particular food products. This way, you will be able to avoid foods that trigger IBS. To accurately understand and make sure that you are noting down everything, mention as many details as possible. What you are having is of paramount importance, but other things like portion size and the food source are also significant to understand the impact. You should document small things, like snacks, drinks, and gum, too. After having any food, if it feels like the gut is not comfortable, you should write down how you feel.

It is commonly found that people with schizophrenia, a chronic mental condition, do not have a healthy diet. Eating unhealthy foods can put schizophrenia patients at the risk of developing other health conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Thankfully, researchers have suggested that making dietary changes can prove to be beneficial. So, here are five foods to avoid for schizophrenia patients. 1. Wheat Although wheat is considered to be a healthier alternative to foods that are loaded with gluten, some people might have celiac disease. This condition causes intolerance towards components that are found in foods with wheat. Therefore, when you expose your body to such foods frequently, it can have serious implications on mental health conditions such as schizophrenia. So, talk to your doctor and check if you are intolerant towards wheat before eliminating it from your diet. 2. Carbohydrates Simply switching wheat with other gluten-free options might not be the answer. You must carefully pick the right grain for your diet and talk to your doctor first. Some people found a low-carbohydrate, moderate-protein, and high-fat content diet help relieve the symptoms of schizophrenia. While in some others, ‘carb flu’ was experienced due to low carbs in the diet, worsening symptoms.

Lifestyle changes are often recommended to patients of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to manage the condition. One of the most significant of these changes is the patient’s dietary habits. There are some foods that are recommended as healthy alternatives, and there are others that can cause symptom flare-ups, and hence, have to be avoided. Here are the top five foods to avoid for COPD patients. 1. Excessively salty foods Consuming Iodized salt in moderation is essential to ensure sodium balance in the body. However, when the intake of salt becomes excessive, it can cause the body to retain water. When there is extra fluid in the body, it can put pressure on many organs, including the diaphragm. This causes breathing problems in COPD patients. Therefore, cutting back on salty foods can prevent water retention in the body and not harm the lungs. Salt is important to add taste and flavor to food. But there are other spices and herbs, too, that can help you do the same. 2. Cold cuts and processed meats In most foods made with cold cuts, you will find an additive known as nitrate. This is added to give cold cuts their color and a longer shelf life.

Depression is a term that is often loosely used by people to describe a bad day or a week or while they are going through a rough patch in life. However, it is a disorder that is way more complicated than we understand. Therefore, it is important to know its symptoms and watch out for early warning signs of depression. These include: 1. Changes in body weight and eating habits In some cases, overeating or eating too less can be one of the hidden and early warning signs of depression. Some people fighting depression find comfort in food. While in other cases, there is a loss of appetite because they feel low. These changes in eating habits can make a person lose or gain weight. Any drastic changes in body weight can also aggravate depression since it can have an impact on the self-esteem of a person. 2. Changes in sleep schedule Any changes in the sleep schedule are one of the early warning signs of depression in people. Depression can make people experience problems falling asleep. People dealing with depression can also find themselves up in the early morning hours. In some cases, people might not find any problem in falling asleep, but depression can interfere with their sleep, and they might find themselves waking up multiple times in the night and not well-rested in the morning.