The difference between food sensitivities, food intolerances and food allergies
Food sensitivities, food intolerances, and food allergies are often used interchangeably, but they are different conditions that require different approaches to diagnosis and management. In this blog post, we will explore the differences between these three conditions.
Food Sensitivities:
Food sensitivities refer to adverse reactions to certain foods that are not mediated by the immune system. The symptoms of food sensitivities can vary widely and may include digestive issues, headaches, fatigue, joint pain, skin rashes, and brain fog. Unlike food allergies or intolerances, food sensitivities are not always predictable and can take several hours or even days to appear after consuming the offending food. Identifying food sensitivities can be challenging and that’s where a health coach comes in.
A health coach can play a crucial role in helping individuals with food sensitivities identify and manage their symptoms. Here are some ways that I work as a health coach to support clients with food sensitivities:
Identify food triggers: A health coach can help you identify which foods are causing their symptoms through an elimination diet or food sensitivity testing. By removing potentially problematic foods and reintroducing them one by one, a health coach can help you identify which foods are triggering your symptoms.
Create a personalized nutrition plan: Once food triggers have been identified, a health coach can work with you to create a personalized nutrition plan that avoids the problematic foods while still meeting you specific and individualized nutritional needs. This may involve finding suitable substitutes for eliminated foods, such as dairy-free alternatives for someone with a dairy sensitivity. Or creating plans that have quick meals to satisfy busy families.
Educate on food labels: A health coach can teach you how to read food labels to identify potential allergens or intolerances in processed foods. You would be surprised the many places that gluten can hide for example - salad dressings!
Develop healthy eating habits: A health coach can help you develop healthy eating habits, such as eating whole, nutrient-dense foods and avoiding processed and packaged foods. This can help reduce your risk of accidentally consuming problematic foods and improve your overall health.
Provide emotional support: Living with food sensitivities can be challenging, and a health coach can provide emotional support and motivation for you as you navigate this new way of eating. They can also ask questions to help you gain clarity around why your body is staying in a ‘fight-or-flight’ state which causes food sensitivities to compound.
Create a gut healing plan. Oftentimes, food sensitivities are caused by an imbalance of gut bacteria, also known as gut dysbiosis. In these cases, working to improve gut health through dietary changes, probiotics, and other interventions may help reduce or eliminate symptoms over time. That is the ultimate goal - to be able to enjoy the foods you are sensitive to.
Food Intolerances:
Food intolerances occur when the body is unable to digest certain foods or components of foods, such as lactose or gluten. Unlike food allergies, food intolerances do not involve the immune system and are not life-threatening. Symptoms of food intolerances can include bloating, gas, cramping, and diarrhea. Unlike food sensitivities, the symptoms of food intolerances typically appear soon after consuming the offending food. Food intolerances can often be managed by avoiding the problematic food or taking enzyme supplements to aid in digestion.
Keeping a food diary or doing a pulse test are two really good ways to determine if you have a food intolerance. While not completely fool proof the pulse test is widely accepted among alternative healthcare professionals and is one I support in my health coach practice.
Food Allergies:
Food allergies are immune-mediated reactions to certain foods. If you have a food allergy and consume the offending food, your immune system mistakenly identifies it as a threat and produces an allergic reaction. Symptoms of food allergies can range from mild to severe and can include hives, itching, swelling, wheezing, and anaphylaxis, which is a severe and potentially life-threatening reaction. Food allergies are typically diagnosed through skin prick or blood tests, and the only way to manage them is to avoid the offending food entirely. You need a trained medical professional to perform and read skin prick blood tests for food allergies.
It is important to note that food allergies can show up at any time in our lives, even during older adulthood.
In conclusion, food sensitivities, food intolerances, and food allergies are all conditions that can cause adverse reactions to certain foods, but they differ in their underlying causes, symptoms, and management approaches. If you suspect that you have a food sensitivity, intolerance, or allergy, it is important to consult a healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and management.
I would love to hear your story and see how I can support and guide you to regain your optimal wellness! Email me at dawn.strength@strengthenwellness.com
