Food Intolerance Vs Allergy

Unlike food allergies, food intolerances have many different causes. The most crucial difference is that they DO NOT involve the activation of the body’s immune system. Food intolerances predominately affect one system, which typically results from the components within a food; you may experience gut symptoms (such as FODMAPs) as food isn’t digested and absorbed well. Symptoms like bloating, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel habits (i.e., diarrhea or constipation) are caused by gas production by bacteria that live in the large intestine.

The Skin

These components in food can be found both naturally in foods or added. Hives and asthma are triggered in sensitive people. These symptoms are sometimes unpleasant, but they are not life-threatening.

Timing

It takes time for the symptoms to occur, it may take several hours to several days. Sometimes these symptoms may not occur every time the offending food is consumed. The symptoms occur when a certain amount or threshold of the food has been eaten. This threshold varies significantly between people and there aren’t any tests for food intolerances.  

Dietary Approaches

Common dietary approaches to reduce the symptoms of food intolerances are to eliminate or find an exchange. A low FODMAP diet is often necessary to pinpoint particular foods that may trigger food intolerance symptoms. We suggest you see a dietitian before modifying your diet; we don’t want you to restrict yourself from healthy foods. A good dietitian will help ensure that these diets are implemented so that they are effective and provide adequate amounts of essential nutrients.

Journals

You may contact us if you need help sourcing healthy exchanges. You may purchase our ” Love Your Self To Wellness Journal ” or “Mindful Eating Journal” from Amazon. We also offer “Meal Planning Made Easy” to record all of your groceries and food exchanges.