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The Sneaky Drink You Should Sip To Soothe Your Seasonal Allergies

As soon there’s even a hint of springtime, I start my day with a nasal spray. And while it makes a bit of a difference for my congestion, it does nothing about the general fogginess and exhaustion that accompany my allergies. So I stopped to think: Does coffee help with seasonal allergies? Yes, it does, says immunologist Purvi Parikh, MD—and its benefits go beyond just fighting exhaustion and brain fog.

“Caffeine helps with sleepiness as we all know, but it can also help with congestion,” says Dr. Parikh. “With allergies, you get inflammation and congestion of your blood vessels, and then you get inflammation in your nose, too, because basically your nose is blocked up from the allergic reaction. And the same thing happens in your head. You’re basically feeling the congestion in your sinuses, in your head, and that can make people feel tired and fatigued.”

Caffeine is especially helpful when taken with other allergy medicines, especially the kind that make you drowsy, says Dr. Parikh.

“Most allergy pills are antihistamines that make you sleepy. They help with symptoms, but a side effect of Benadryl, Claritin, Zyrtec, and Xyzal, among others, is drowsiness,” says Dr. Parikh. “Your allergies [can be] causing the fatigue, but then ironically, it could also be the medication you’re taking. And if that’s the case, work with your allergist to find non-drowsy options or topical options, meaning certain nasal sprays, eye drops. Those are a good option if you’re someone who is very sensitive and sleepy from the allergy pills. But the caffeine definitely helps, too.”

Learn more about the benefits of coffee:

The amount of coffee you need to feel the impact on your seasonal allergies depends on your tolerance. As someone who is very sensitive to caffeine, this is music to my ears. “Some people are very sensitive to caffeine. Some people who drink it constantly, are not as sensitive to it,” says Dr. Parikh. “The equivalent of one cup of coffee is plenty for most people.”

Coffee is also full of antioxidants and essential nutrients, like vitamin B5 and manganese. In combination with its anti-inflammatory properties, that’s why it’s a go-to drink for some of the world’s longest-living people.

“The anti-inflammatory effects [are] why they say coffee can help with a lot of other medical problems, too, that are driven by inflammation,” says Dr. Parikh. “There’s some links with coffee preventing dementia and coffee preventing cancers.”

On days when my allergies make me feel particularly foggy, I swap decaffeinated lattes for half-decaf/half-caffeinated cup of coffee. The change definitely improves my focus. Next time you’re depleted by your seasonal allergies, reach for a cup (or an extra cup) of joe.

Here’s how to make boosted coffee, according to an herbalist:

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4 Biggest Smoothie Mistakes Keeping You From Blended Perfection

There’s no “wrong way” to make a smoothie, right? Well, actually it’s a little more complicated than that. According to registered dietitians, a few common mistakes are keeping your smoothie from reaching its full potential.

Smoothie “mistakes” can make a well-intentioned nutrient-rich breakfast or snack into something that’s about as healthy as ice cream. Want to make your smoothie as full of nutrients as possible while being delicious? Keep reading for advice from the experts.

The most common smoothie mistakes (and how to correct them), according from registered dietitians

The mistake: Too much fruit

“Often, people will make smoothies with a lot of fruit, which can create an imbalance with other nutrients,” says Melissa Rifkin, RD. There’s nothing wrong with fruit, but she says you want to make sure there’s other ingredients in there too, including something with protein and healthy fats. Otherwise, your smoothie isn’t going to be nutrient-dense enough to be truly satiating or nutritious.

The fix: Follow the “smoothie formula” of protein + fat + fruit + greens

To correct this mistake, Gillean Barkyoumb, RDN, recommends following this smoothie formula: protein + healthy fats + fruit + greens. You can experiment with the types of each you want to incorporate into your smoothie, but following this structure will ensure it has a good balance of nutrients.

This smoothie tastes like carrot cake in a glass:

The mistake: Not enough protein or healthy fats

One of the biggest mistakes registered dietitian Amy Schwarz, RD, says she sees people making also has to do with an uneven nutrient imbalance—but it isn’t with fruit. “Many people make their smoothies too carb-heavy and not with enough protein or healthy fats,” she says. Carbs digest more quickly than protein and healthy fats, so if your smoothie doesn’t have these nutrients, you’ll likely be hungry not too long after draining your glass.

The fix: Add ingredients with both protein and healthy fats

This is a smoothie mistake with an easy fix. Schwarz says to incorporate ingredients that are high in both protein and healthy fats so it rounds out your smoothie with just one touch. Greek yogurt or a nut butter (almond or peanut) make for a richer texture.

Peanut butter is a delicious smoothie ingredient:

The mistake: Disregarding portion size

Portion sizes can be tricky enough to think about when something is on a plate; it can be even more difficult when the food is being blended up into a liquid. “Sometimes, people will drink double the portion size without even realizing it,” Rifkin says.

The fix: Think about the portion size of each ingredient

This one just takes being a bit more mindful of how much of each ingredient you’re adding to your blender. With protein, Barkyoumb says to aim for at least 15 to 20 grams in total. When food is blended, it cuts down on its physical size.

This acacia fiber smoothie is fantastic for your gut health:

The mistake: Assuming smoothies can be made with only fresh fruits and veggies

Your crisper contains some of the best ingredients to incorporate into a smoothie, but it’s a big mistake to ignore frozen fruits and vegetables, says Barkyoumb. “My favorites are frozen spinach or frozen riced cauliflower,” she says.

The fix: Keep frozen fruits and vegetables in the front of your freezer so you don’t forget about them

Too often bags of frozen vegetables are completely forgotten about. Keep your frozen fruits and veggies in the front of the freezer so you’ll see them every time you peek inside. That way, you’ll remember to actually use them next time you fire up your blender.

There’s no shortage of smoothies you can make that deliver on nutrition just as much as they deliver on taste. The key, is striking a balance. Even while avoiding these common mistakes, there’s plenty of room to experiment. That’s the fun—and tastiest—part!

Fruits and vegetables are some of the healthiest freezer foods:

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