Trouble with raw fruit and veg

Nutrition Q&A [Moderated]
1

Hi Jordan,

I’d like to get your input on a situation I’ve been dealing with for a while please? Over the past couple of years I seem to have developed an intolerance/allergy to raw fruits and vegetables. It seems to be quite irregular in that I can go for weeks/months eating raw fruit/veg as normal with no symptoms, but then I’ll have a period of a few days/weeks where eating them will cause a flare up.

My only symptom is an uncomfortable sensation in my throat. It feels a little swollen or like there’s a lump in my throat that won’t go away, and can last for a few hours to a few days.It doesn’t give me trouble breathing, but it’s quite an uncomfortable sensation, enough to make me avoid the raw foods.

Looking online I found that this could be related to hay fever as some of the proteins in raw veg are similar to those in pollen. I do get hay fever, although that typically causes itchy eyes and sneezing, rather than the feeling in the throat. Oral Allergy Syndrome: https://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/outdoor-food-allergies-relate#:~:text=OAS%20is%20a%20form%20of,%2C%20lip%2C%20tongue%20and%20throat.

My main question is about fruit/veg intake. While I’m in a phase of having this sensitivity, I tend to cut back a lot on raw fruit/veg. I try to cook vegetables as much as possible as that doesn’t seem to bring on the symptoms so much, but my intake of fruit/veg is inevitably less during these times. So I was wondering if you would suggest a supplement/multivitamin to replace some of the nutrients I’m not getting? I know they’re not as good as eating the actual fruit/veg, but in this scenario, do you think it’s worth it?

Many thanks for your help.

2

I don’t really know, though consuming lots raw vegetables is not really something I recommend. I don’t suggest a supplement or multivitamin as they do not possess the same nutrients as fruit or vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are more than the sum of their parts.

I’d ask your doctor about this and depending on the severity of your symptoms, I might seek referral to a rheumatologist.

3

Hi Jordan,

Thanks for your advice. Just to clarify, when I say raw vegetables, I mean salads. Not sure if you thought I meant eating raw veg that would normally be cooked (broccoli etc.)

The more I think about it, the more I think my current symptoms could be some sort of acid reflux type thing. I’ve read that it can cause these types of symptoms too. I tried having gaviscon the last couple of days and that seems to have eased things a lot. My current symptoms began around the same time that I diet got a bit worse - more alcohol, chocolate and fatty foods. So I think I’ll try cutting back on those and see if it makes a difference. But I agree it’s best to see my GP and get checked properly.

Thanks for your help.