Are you in control of your food intolerances?

Addressing your food intolerances instead of ignoring them or resigning to the notion that you will just have to “live with it” is crucial if you want to reboot your energy. Lactose, a sugar which is found in dairy and milk products, is a common type of food intolerance. Other intolerances include gluten, sulfites, and other food additives. People that have food intolerances usually experience symptoms when they eat too much of a certain type of food. These symptoms include:

• Nausea
• Cramping
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting

It is important to recognize the difference between food intolerances and a food allergy. Many people use these terms interchangeably and although they may share symptoms, there are differences that people need to be aware of to find the best treatment.

Food allergies do not come and go. Symptoms occur every time you encounter or ingest that particular food. A person experiencing a food allergy does not have to eat a lot of the food item to break out in a rash or experience other symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pains, or, in some cases, a sudden drop in blood pressure. Food allergies, unlike food intolerances, are something that can be life-threatening and should be avoided.

At Pinewood Natural Health Centre, Your Naturopathic Doctor can help you determine if you have food intolerances or food allergies. Keeping a food journal is one way that medical professionals diagnose food intolerances. By recording the types of foods you eat, the amount of the serving, the frequency of ingestions, and how your body physically reacts after consuming these foods, you and your doctor will be able to discover patterns that can shed light on the situation. Patients that are diagnosed with food intolerances are generally advised to avoid certain foods or eat smaller portions to avoid unpleasant symptoms that can leave you feeling drained of energy.