If you have ever wondered what the difference is between food sensitivity, a food intolerance, and a food allergy, this post is for you! Learning if you have a food sensitivity, a food intolerance, or a food allergy is certainly interesting information, but more importantly, I will tell you what to do about them!
These are very common. Most people are walking around with a handful of sensitivities. Some have been able to determine many of the foods they are sensitive to by utilizing trial and error, but the majority of people have no idea that food sensitivities are at the root of their symptoms. One of the problems with food sensitivities is that they are generally delayed, only showing up a day or two AFTER you have eaten the offending food. This can make it hard to troubleshoot which foods are causing your symptoms.
This is when your body has lost (or never had) the ability to digest a particular food. Lactose intolerance is the most well-known example. Some other common foods that people may have lost tolerance to are things like beans, garlic, or wheat (this is different from a gluten sensitivity that is described above.) When someone loses tolerance to a food, we look to the digestive system and the microbiome. Either there is a lack of the bacteria that is needed to help digest these foods, or a lack of the needed enzymes. When someone is lacking enzymes, it is generally is due to nutrient deficiencies or an organ that needs support. Symptoms usually show up quickly after eating or drinking the offending food and include bloating, gas, and intestinal discomfort. This makes it much easier to determine an intolerance than it is to determine a sensitivity.
Most people know what a food allergy is and most who have food allergies know which foods they are allergic to due to the severe reactions. The reaction with food allergies happens in your tissues (rather than the blood) and this means that the reactions are immediate and often severe. Hives and anaphylaxis are two of the most common. To discover if you have food allergies, you visit an allergist for a skin test.
Common Food Allergies:
Ok, so now you know the differences between food sensitivities, intolerances, and allergies. Now, what should you do?
Have you been living with food sensitivities, intolerances, or allergies for a long time? How have you coped with this in the past? Comment below!
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I'm not aware of any sensitivities, etc, in myself. However, it is helpful to know the definitions when I'm dealing with others. Thanks for the post.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you for laying that out so succinctly! I'm always trying to explain that just because you have a sensitivity does NOT mean you can't ever ingest that thing, though you may have to take a break. So many ways to heal!
I know what you mean! It is such a shame when you meet people and they are only eating a handful of foods!