Food Allergies and Intolerances

Food Allergies

A food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts to a food component, typically a protein, identifying it as a threat. This reaction leads to symptoms such as throat and tongue swelling, skin rashes, breathing problems, and digestive disorders like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Common food allergens include eggs, milk, mustard, peanuts, and tree nuts.

If you suspect a food allergy, it’s essential to consult with your doctor to confirm it before seeing a dietitian.

Once diagnosed, your dietitian will help you exclude the allergenic food in a healthy and safe manner. However, eliminating certain foods, while necessary, can have negative consequences. Dietary restrictions can increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies, especially if there are multiple allergies or intolerances. A comprehensive assessment of your diet is essential to ensure adequate nutrition despite the restrictions. Developing an action plan with your dietitian can help correct these deficiencies.

Food allergies affect people of all ages but are more common in children, as some may outgrow them over time. Multiple allergies in children can lead to growth delays (failure to thrive). Your dietitian is aware of this issue and will closely monitor your child’s growth.

For more information on growth, please refer to the relevant page.

Food Intolerances

Food intolerances, on the other hand, do not involve the immune system. Instead, they result from our digestive system’s inability to digest or absorb certain foods. A food intolerance can cause symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and more. While lactose intolerance is the most well-known, a wide variety of nutrients may not be tolerated, including caffeine, alcohol, and carbohydrates found in some plant foods.

Diagnosing food intolerances can be challenging. People with digestive difficulties often suspect a food intolerance but may struggle to identify the cause. With your dietitian, through a thorough assessment and regular follow-up, you can identify the foods underlying your symptoms. Whether through a food diary or an elimination diet, you can create a clear list of foods to avoid. Your dietitian will be able to guide you in maintaining this exclusion long-term while offering nutritious alternatives to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

In Summary

Whether you have a food intolerance or allergy, the treatment remains the same: avoiding the problematic food. In addition to ensuring that you don’t experience daily symptoms, eliminating the causative food is essential to prevent chronic inflammation. However, it can be easier said than done! In the era of processed foods, traces of certain allergens can be found everywhere. Being guided by a nutrition professional is the key to effectively excluding the food responsible for your allergy or intolerance.