What is food intolerance?
Food intolerance means having difficulty digesting certain foods or certain ingredients in foods. It is usually not serious, but eating the food that triggers it can make you feel unwell.[1]
Symptoms usually start a few hours after eating and can last for hours or even days. The most common ones are diarrhea, bloating, gas and stomach pain; headaches, tiredness, nausea, constipation, joint pain and rashes can also occur.[1]
The most common type is lactose intolerance, which means having difficulty digesting the sugar in milk and dairy products. Gluten, histamine, caffeine, alcohol, sulfites, salicylates and preservatives such as MSG and benzoates can also be triggers.[1]
How allergy and intolerance differ
- Food allergy
- Happens when the immune system overreacts to certain foods
- Itching, a raised rash, swelling of the lips, face and around the eyes, wheezing or shortness of breath can occur
- Symptoms can be mild, but for some people they are very serious
- Common causes: cow's milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, tree nuts, shellfish, wheat
- Food intolerance
- Does not involve the immune system
- Does not cause a serious allergic reaction
- Mostly causes bloating, gas and stomach pain a few hours after eating
If food intolerance symptoms keep coming back, it is a good idea to see a doctor.[1]
How is a trigger food found?
Your doctor may refer you to a dietitian. Diagnosis may use a food and symptom diary, blood tests when needed, and a breath test if lactose intolerance is suspected.[1]
- Elimination: The suspected food is taken out of your diet for a while.[1]
- Reintroduction: The food is added back to see whether your symptoms return.[1]
- Keeping a record: Writing down what you eat and how you feel in a diary makes it easier to see the link between the two.[1]
Foods should not be cut out of your diet without advice from a doctor or dietitian; doing so can lead to nutrient deficiencies, especially in children.[1]
How we work together in counseling
First, we look together at your symptoms, your eating pattern and any test results you have. If an allergy is suspected, the assessment is done together with your doctor.
The food intolerance test and the elimination diet are planned and interpreted alongside your symptoms, and the process runs with professional follow-up. When we take a food out, we also plan together what will replace it, so your diet stays balanced. Our aim is to help you make an eating pattern built from the right foods for you a part of your lifestyle. Sessions can be face to face or online.
Common questions
- Is a food intolerance the same as an allergy?
- No. An allergy is a reaction of the immune system and can be serious for some people. An intolerance does not involve the immune system and does not cause a serious allergic reaction.[1, 2]
- Can I cut out the foods I think cause my symptoms on my own?
- It isn't recommended. Cutting out foods without advice from a doctor or dietitian can lead to nutrient deficiencies, especially in children. When elimination and reintroduction are planned, it becomes clearer which food is causing symptoms.[1]
- If I'm lactose intolerant, should I give up dairy completely?
- Usually not. Most people can tolerate some lactose, and yogurt and hard cheeses may be easier to tolerate. Giving up dairy completely can lower your calcium and vitamin D intake.[3]
Something on your mind?
This page is general information; it does not diagnose and does not replace your doctor's advice. Let's talk about a plan made for you.
Sources
- 1.NHS. Food intolerance. www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-intolerance/
- 2.NHS. Food allergy. www.nhs.uk/conditions/food-allergy/
- 3.NIDDK. Eating, Diet, & Nutrition for Lactose Intolerance. www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/lactose-intolerance/eating-diet-nutrition