Food allergies are on the rise. Here are three reasons why, and what you can do to help…

The problem:
Gut bacteria imbalance   

The solutions:
1. Introduce fermented food and drinks into your diet. Kombucha is not only the latest celebrity tipple of choice, it also has real benefits for your stomach.

2.Get a pet! Being around animals could provide just the right amount of ‘germ exposure’ to help children develop a strong immune system.

The problem:
Less variety in our diets

The solutions:
1. Increase the variety in your diet. For example, if you’re a bread lover, try and fill up on oats instead. Oats are low-cost and versatile, and are also one of the best sources of soluble and insoluble dietary fibre you can find. They promote regular bowel movements and regulate blood sugar.

2. Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. They’re high in fibre, which helps encourage the beneficial bacteria in the gut. And vitamin C and flavonoids such as quercetin in fruit and vegetables may help manage or reduce allergic symptoms.

The problem:
Too much omega-6
and not enough omega-3

The solutions:

1. Aim to eat oily fish such as salmon, mackerel or sardines two to three times a week for the omega-3s. Fish is also high in Vitamin B12, which keeps the brain ‘happy’ and staves off bouts of depression, anxiety and brain fog.

2. Switch up your cooking oil. If you normally reach for the olive oil or sunflower oil when you start cooking, switch to ghee instead; a form of clarified butter, which contains butyric acid.