Food Allergies and Intolerances

Food allergies and intolerances can make eating more complicated in everyday life. Identifying the foods responsible, avoiding them appropriately, and maintaining a balanced diet can sometimes be a real challenge.

Working with our registered dietitian, Jasmine Brousseau, can help you better understand your situation and adapt your diet safely without compromising your nutritional needs.

Food Allergies

A food allergy occurs when the immune system reacts abnormally to a substance found in a food, usually a protein. The immune system mistakenly identifies this substance as a threat and triggers a reaction that can cause a variety of symptoms.

Symptoms can vary from person to person and may include hives, redness or itching, swelling, vomiting, difficulty breathing, or, in some cases, a severe allergic reaction that can be life-threatening. If you suspect a food allergy, it is important to consult a physician for an appropriate evaluation and diagnosis. A registered dietitian can then support you in managing your diet based on the diagnosis.

Once a food allergy has been confirmed, avoiding the allergen is generally necessary. Your registered dietitian can help you identify sources of the allergen, better understand food labels, and find nutritious alternatives that fit your diet. Dietary restrictions can, however, increase the risk of nutritional deficiencies, particularly when multiple foods or food groups need to be eliminated. A nutritional assessment can help ensure that your nutritional needs continue to be met and that any necessary adjustments are made.

In children, multiple food allergies can be particularly concerning, as they can make eating more challenging and, in some cases, affect growth. Your registered dietitian can provide appropriate nutritional follow-up and pay close attention to your child’s growth and development.

Learn more about growth monitoring on our dedicated page.

Food Intolerances

Unlike food allergies, food intolerances generally do not involve the immune system. They may instead be related to the body’s difficulty digesting or processing certain components of a food.

Lactose intolerance is one of the most well-known examples. Some people may also have difficulty tolerating certain fermentable carbohydrates, such as those included in the FODMAP group, or may have difficulty tolerating other food components. Symptoms are primarily digestive and may include bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or changes in bowel habits. However, these symptoms can have many possible causes, meaning that experiencing digestive symptoms alone is not enough to confirm a food intolerance.

Identifying the cause of digestive symptoms can sometimes be complex. A personalized assessment with your registered dietitian allows you to review your eating habits, symptoms, and how they evolve over time to better understand the factors that may be triggering them. Depending on your situation, your registered dietitian may recommend keeping a food and symptom diary, following a targeted elimination period followed by reintroduction, or using other strategies tailored to your needs. The goal is to identify the foods or components that are actually causing problems while avoiding unnecessary dietary restrictions.

If certain foods need to be limited or avoided over the long term, your registered dietitian can help you find suitable alternatives to maintain a varied and nutritious diet while reducing the risk of nutritional deficiencies.

In Summary

Whether you have a confirmed food allergy or a food intolerance, management depends on the underlying cause and each individual’s situation. In the case of a food allergy, avoiding the identified allergen is essential to prevent reactions. For a food intolerance, the goal is to determine the individual’s level of tolerance and avoid unnecessary dietary restrictions.

Managing a food allergy or intolerance on a daily basis can be challenging, especially when the food or ingredient in question is found in a wide variety of products. Reading food labels, eating at restaurants, preparing meals, and finding suitable alternatives can quickly raise many questions.

A registered dietitian can help you navigate these challenges and adapt your diet in a safe, balanced, and realistic way. The goal is not simply to avoid a particular food—it is to help you continue eating well and enjoying food despite your dietary restrictions.