While allergies to certain foods can require dietary restriction, the simplification of one’s eating regimen may have unintended positive side effects. Celiac disease, for instance, can force those who have it to eat more whole foods, according to Rye Patch.

The news source said that the digestive condition, which is essentially a gluten allergy, can encourage the consumption of more fruits and vegetables.

It recommended eating tofu, rice, beans, vegetables, oats, eggs and lean proteins like fish or chicken.

Likewise, nut or egg allergies may improve cholesterol levels simply by forcing eaters to avoid high-fat or processed foods containing those ingredients.

The Mayo Clinic recommends that individuals with celiac disease take daily vitamin supplement, since avoiding gluten can reduce one’s levels of iron, calcium and other minerals. The health authority suggests that anyone with a gluten allergy take vitamins B12, D and K.

The incidence of celiac disease in the U.S. is not known with certainty. However, a study in the journal Gastroenterology estimated that between one in 105 and one in 1,750 Americans has the condition.