Asthma and Food Allergies in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Asthma and food allergies can occur together, but food is not a common trigger for asthma symptoms. In Grand Rapids, where cold winters, indoor heating, and seasonal respiratory infections already put extra stress on the lungs, understanding how food allergies and asthma interact is especially important.

Local healthcare providers in Grand Rapids—such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health – University of Michigan Health, and Mercy Health—regularly diagnose and manage asthma and food allergies in both children and adults.

About Asthma, Food Allergies, and Intolerances

How Food Can Affect Asthma

  • Most people with asthma do not have food-triggered asthma.
    Fewer than 3 in 100 people with asthma have food allergies or intolerances that actually trigger asthma flare-ups.
  • Foods, food additives, and chemicals are not common asthma triggers.
    When they do cause problems, it is usually:
    • As part of a true food allergy (immune system reaction), or
    • As a food intolerance (non-immune reaction, often dose-related).

What Is a Food Allergy?

A food allergy happens when your immune system overreacts to a food that is normally harmless to most people. These substances are called allergens.

Common high‑risk foods that may cause allergic reactions include:

  • Eggs
  • Peanuts
  • Tree nuts (e.g., walnuts, almonds, cashews)
  • Shellfish (e.g., shrimp, crab, lobster)
  • Wheat
  • Sesame
  • Milk
  • Soy

In a city like Grand Rapids, where many families eat a mix of home‑cooked meals and restaurant or take‑out foods, careful label reading and communication with restaurants is essential for people with food allergies.

Symptoms of Food Allergies

Food allergy symptoms can be mild, moderate, or severe. They may affect the skin, gut, breathing, or circulation.

Common Symptoms of Food Allergy

Symptoms may appear within minutes to two hours after eating and can include:

  • Itching, burning, or swelling around the mouth
  • Swelling of the face or eyes
  • Runny or stuffy nose
  • Skin rash or eczema
  • Hives (urticaria – red, raised, itchy welts on the skin)
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Breathing difficulties, including wheezing or asthma symptoms

If you or your child has asthma in Grand Rapids and also experiences these symptoms after eating certain foods, talk with your primary care doctor, pediatrician, or allergy specialist.

Anaphylaxis: A Severe Food Allergy Reaction

What Is Anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis is a severe, life‑threatening allergic reaction that can affect multiple body systems, including the lungs, heart, and circulation. Without prompt medical treatment, it can be fatal.

In Grand Rapids, emergency care for anaphylaxis is available through local emergency departments, including:

  • Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids Hospital
  • Metro Health Hospital
  • Mercy Health emergency departments

Symptoms of Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis can start quickly (within 2 minutes to 2 hours of exposure) and may worsen rapidly. Symptoms can include:

  • Difficult or noisy breathing
  • Wheezing or a persistent cough
  • Swelling of the tongue
  • Swelling or tightness in the throat
  • Difficulty talking or a hoarse voice
  • Persistent dizziness, feeling faint, or collapse
  • Pale and floppy appearance in young children

This is a medical emergency. Call 911 immediately.

Emergency Treatment: Adrenaline Auto‑Injectors

A life‑saving injection of adrenaline (epinephrine) is required to treat anaphylaxis. It is usually given through an auto‑injector such as:

  • EpiPen®
  • Anapen®
  • Other adrenaline auto‑injector brands

Using an auto‑injector promptly can prevent permanent injury or death. After using an auto‑injector, always call 911 or go to the nearest Grand Rapids emergency department for further monitoring and treatment.

Food Chemicals and Additives That May Trigger Asthma Symptoms

Some people with asthma are sensitive to certain food chemicals or additives. This is usually a food intolerance, not a true allergy, and is often dose‑related—meaning the more you consume, the worse the symptoms may become.

Food Chemicals That May Trigger Symptoms

  • Sulphites (sulfites)

    • Widely used as preservatives in foods and some medications
    • Can trigger asthma in susceptible people
    • Common in dried fruits, some wines, some processed meats, and some packaged foods

  • Food colourings

    • Food colourings very rarely trigger asthma attacks
    • If a person with asthma reacts to one food colouring, they should be cautious and discuss with an allergist before consuming others
    • Example: Tartrazine (102), a yellow food dye

  • Salicylates

    • Naturally occurring chemicals found in many foods
    • Present in foods such as:
      • Instant coffee
      • Soy sauce
      • Tomatoes and tomato paste/sauce
      • Beer
      • Some wines
      • Honey

  • Benzoates and other additives (numbers often seen on labels):

    • Benzoates – 211, 213, 216, 218
    • Sulphites – 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 228
    • Tartrazine – 102
    • Monosodium glutamate (MSG) – 621

Reading Food Labels in Grand Rapids

When shopping at Grand Rapids grocery stores or local markets, always:

  • Read ingredient lists carefully
  • Look for additive numbers (e.g., 102, 211, 221, 621)
  • Avoid known trigger ingredients and additives if you have been advised to do so by your doctor or dietitian

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and related resources provide lists of food additives and their functions. Always use reputable, medically reviewed sources when researching additives.

Identifying Your Trigger Foods

Do Not Self‑Diagnose

It is important to identify which foods or food chemicals may cause problems for you, but this must be done under strict medical supervision. Do not try to diagnose food triggers on your own because:

  • You may unnecessarily restrict your diet, which can lead to poor nutrition, especially in children and teens.
  • You may miss the real cause of your symptoms.

For example, some people with asthma avoid dairy products because they believe (incorrectly) that milk causes extra mucus. Current evidence does not support the idea that dairy causes or worsens asthma in most people.

Medical Testing and Supervised Elimination

Your doctor or allergy specialist in Grand Rapids may:

  • Take a detailed medical and dietary history
  • Conduct skin prick tests
  • Order blood tests (such as specific IgE tests)
  • Recommend a supervised elimination diet, where:
    • A suspected food is removed from your diet
    • Your asthma symptoms and lung function are monitored before and after elimination
    • Foods may be reintroduced under supervision to confirm or rule out a trigger

These assessments may be done in collaboration with:

  • Primary care providers in Grand Rapids
  • Allergy specialists (allergists/immunologists)
  • Respiratory physicians
  • Registered dietitians experienced in food allergies and asthma

No Special “Asthma Diet”

There is no special diet that can cure or prevent asthma. It is important to remember:

  • No specific food causes asthma.
  • No specific food prevents asthma.

Like anyone else, people with asthma in Grand Rapids should aim for a healthy, balanced diet, including:

  • A variety of fruits and vegetables
  • Whole grains
  • Lean proteins (fish, poultry, beans, lentils)
  • Healthy fats (nuts, seeds, olive oil, avocado)

This is particularly important in Michigan, where long winters and less sunlight can affect vitamin D levels and overall wellness. Discuss with your doctor whether you need vitamin D or other supplements.

If you are concerned about your diet or your child’s nutrition, consult with a registered dietitian or your primary care provider.

Asthma, Food Allergies, and Michigan’s Seasons

In Grand Rapids, asthma is often influenced by:

  • Cold, dry winter air, which can irritate the airways
  • Indoor heating and increased exposure to dust mites, pet dander, and indoor allergens
  • Spring and fall pollen
  • Viral infections, more common in colder months and in school settings

Food allergies and intolerances are less common triggers compared with these environmental and seasonal factors. However, if you have both asthma and food allergies:

  • Make sure your asthma is well controlled year‑round
  • Always carry your adrenaline auto‑injector if you have a history of anaphylaxis
  • Have an Asthma Action Plan and, if needed, an Allergy/Anaphylaxis Action Plan, especially for children in Grand Rapids schools or daycare settings

Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

If you suspect food allergies or notice asthma symptoms after eating, seek professional advice. Local resources include:

Local Healthcare Providers

  • Primary Care Physician (GP / Family Doctor)

    • First point of contact for asthma and suspected food allergies

  • Pediatricians

    • For children with asthma and food allergy concerns

  • Respiratory Physicians (Pulmonologists)

    • For moderate to severe or difficult‑to‑control asthma

  • Allergy Specialists (Allergists / Immunologists)

    • For confirmed or suspected food allergies, anaphylaxis, and complex cases

  • Registered Dietitians

    • For safe elimination diets and balanced nutrition planning

Major health systems in the Grand Rapids area include:

  • Corewell Health (Spectrum Health) – including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids
  • Metro Health – University of Michigan Health
  • Mercy Health

Public Health Resources

  • Kent County Health Department

    • Offers public health information, community programs, and resources on asthma and allergies

  • Grand Rapids Public Health and local clinics

    • May provide asthma education, smoking cessation programs, and support for families managing chronic conditions

Ask your healthcare provider about asthma education programs, including videos and written materials, to help you better understand and manage your or your child’s asthma and allergies.

Key Points to Remember

  • Foods and food additives are not common asthma triggers, but they can cause problems in some people with food allergies or intolerances.
  • Less than 3% of people with asthma have asthma flare‑ups directly triggered by foods or food chemicals.
  • Food allergy symptoms can range from mild (itching, hives, nausea) to severe (breathing difficulty, anaphylaxis).
  • Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency—use an adrenaline auto‑injector if prescribed and call 911.
  • Food intolerance reactions are often dose‑related: symptoms may get worse the more you eat.
  • Do not self‑diagnose food allergies or intolerances. Work with a doctor, allergist, and dietitian in Grand Rapids to identify triggers safely.
  • There is no special asthma diet. Focus on a healthy, balanced diet and good asthma control, especially during Michigan’s cold winters and high‑pollen seasons.

If you live in Grand Rapids, MI, and are worried that foods may be affecting your asthma, schedule an appointment with your local healthcare provider to discuss testing, management, and an individualized treatment plan.