Up to 30 percent of people with eczema also have food allergies. For these people, eliminating the foods they're allergic to is a no-brainer. Many more people, however, report their eczema is triggered by a certain food even though they aren't allergic to it. While the research linking diet to eczema isn't definitive in most cases, eliminating dairy products and simple carbohydrates can help reduce inflammation in many people.
If you're trying to eliminate dairy from your diet, take this checklist of healthy dairy substitutes with you the next time you go to the store:
- Milk: Choose almond, cashew, soy, rice, or coconut milk.
- Butter: Look for dairy-free margarine, olive oil, or avocados.
- Cheese: Consider nutritional yeast flakes or tofu.
- Cream: Use coconut cream, oil, or ground nuts and seeds.
- Yogurt: Try dairy-free yogurt made from coconut or nut milk.
