There are literally thousands of diet books on the market today, each claiming to be the “right” way to eat.
For those with food intolerances, weeding through these popular eating plans can be difficult and confusing.
The Most Popular Diets: Which One Should You Choose?
10 Symptoms that Indicate That You Might Have Food Intolerance
Is eating your favorite foods causing you problems? If so, you might have a food intolerance.
Food tolerances are more common than you may think and having one that involves everyday foods can put a real crimp in your diet.
Lactose Intolerant? You can still enjoy the best ice cream around the world
How to Enjoy the Best Ice Cream Around the World If You’re Lactose Intolerant
Is there anything better than letting your tongue grace a cool, flavorful, sweet treat on a day where the sun is extra strong?
Food Allergy Or Food Intolerance? This Is Why You Should Know The Difference
Food Allergy or Food Intolerance? This Is Why You Should Know the Difference
There’s a reason they call it comfort food. Not sure who they are, but we couldn’t think of a better phrase for our favourite bites, like pizza and tacos!
When you ingest any type of food, your brain signals a reaction.
Have you heard of the neurotransmitter serotonin?
It’s the compound that helps you regulate sleep, appetite, and mood.
Harvard Health explains that 95 per cent of your serotonin is produced in your gastrointestinal tract. So it only makes sense that the food you digest guides your emotions.
Unfortunately, for those who suffer from food allergies or intolerances, that reaction is less than comforting. If you’ve ever eaten anything and your body (and brain) didn’t react in a pleasant way, there’s a good chance you have a food allergy or food intolerance. And yes, there’s a difference between these two.
Keep reading for a breakdown of the two, and why it matters to understand them both.
What is Food Intolerance?
Food intolerance happens when certain particles of food cannot be properly processed by your digestive system because of the absence of an enzyme.
Unlike a food allergy, the immune system is not affected in any way.
Because your body can’t absorb the compounds of the food, your gastrointestinal system will experience symptoms.
If you have a food intolerance, it’s still generally fine to eat small amounts of the food without too much trouble (unlike with an allergy).
Causes of Food Intolerance
Typically, food intolerance stems from compounds like:
- Fructose or lactose
- Sensitivity to additives (ex. sulfites used to preserve dried fruit)
- Dairy products or grains that include gluten
Common Symptoms Include:
- Bloating
- Migraines
- Headaches
- Stomach ache
- Irritable Bowel
- Hives
What is Food Allergy?
A food allergy is a reaction that occurs in your immune system after eating a certain food. Your body recognizes the food as a pathogen (a bacteria or virus) and therefore your immune system tries to overact to fight it off.
With a food allergy, even a miniscule amount of the food can trigger symptoms.
Common symptoms include:
- Hives
- Swollen airways
- Tingling or itching
- Wheezing or trouble breathing
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea or diarrhoea
On a more serious note, another symptom that could occur is called anaphylaxis. This severe allergic reaction causes your immune system to release chemicals that can result in you going into shock. In this case, immediate emergency treatment is critical.
Most common food allergies:
- Peanuts
- Tree nuts
- Fish
- Shellfish
Causes of food allergies
Research suggests that there are multiple reasons that food allergies come on, mostly from a mix of genetic and environmental influences. If a family member has a food allergy, the chances of you also having the same one are greater. The same is true if you’re exposed to certain allergens through air or skin.
Some other key differences to note:
Food allergies usually spring out immediately, every time you eat the food. It can happen even if you’ve just had a small amount of it. Food intolerances come on more gradually and might only surface when you’ve taken in a lot of the food.
Why Differentiating Food Intolerances and Food Allergies Matters
It’s important to know the difference between a food intolerance and a food allergy so that you can better prepare your body before and after digesting the food.
If you have a severe food allergy, you could potentially experience life-threatening symptoms, therefore you’ll know to avoid that food completely.
How to Treat Food Allergies and Intolerances
If you believe you have a serious condition, it’s best to consult your doctor.
For a natural solution for most food intolerances, try Digesta Alpha. Digesta Alpha is a multi-enzyme preparation that contains five natural enzymes that are vegan/vegetarian-friendly and free of gluten, colouring, and additives.
Give Digesta Alpha a try today!
Why You Can’t Eat Ice Cream, Pizza, And Many Of Your Favourite Foods
Your Food Choice Could Lead To Big Problems
Are You Embarrassed By Excessive Gas?
The Top 5 Steps to Get Rid of Gas
Not only does flatulence hold an embarrassing smell, but it can also be extremely uncomfortable to deal with. Some people experience painful bouts with gas, that can lead to crippling stomach pain and terrible headaches.
In order to effectively treat gas, consider these five options.
1. Drink Liquids At Scheduled Times
Avoid drinking liquids 30 minutes before and after a meal.
If you can, try to wait a solid hour. Start with at least 30 minutes to give yourself a gap.
This will help your food digest better and prevent the onset of bloating and gas.
2. Take Your Time When Eating
Enjoy more of the foods you love by taking the time to sit down and savour the experience.
For the sake of convenience, many people eat foods on the go, but when you sit down at the table to enjoy a good meal, you’ll be able to taste each flavour and consume your food on a conscious level.
This is excellent for digestion. If you’re drawn to vegan-friendly meals, prepare them well and delight in each bite of food from your extra efforts.
3. Consider Supplements
Activated charcoal supplements are popular for those who like to gently detoxify the system. Others prefer to utilize a natural multi-enzyme product like Digesta Alpha.
There are numerous opinions surrounding the superior effectiveness of multi-enzyme products in the prevention and treatment of gas and bloating due to food intolerance vs. single-enzyme products.
You can implement a process that works best for you. It’s just important to do your research and run it by your doctor.
4. Avoid Air Consumption
Get out of the habit of chewing gum or drinking from a straw. These two habits let in excess air and can lead to gas. In order to support the prevention of gas and bloating, drink from a bottle or cup. Sip slowly. If you’re really hungry, eat food.
Don’t mindlessly chew on gum!
5. Identify Specific Foods
For many people, gas caused by beans is the main cause of their gas. For others, gas caused by fats and oils is the culprit.
If you’re impacted by lactose intolerance, you may experience unpleasant symptoms after consuming a piece of cheesecake or slice of pizza.
Remove certain foods from your diet to do a process of elimination.
In some cases, you might need to prepare the food in a different way. For example, when beans are soaked overnight, some people are able to better enjoy them without the onset of flatulence.
When you are intentional with these five options, you’ll have a better relationship with your body without the gas pain.
Maintain A Healthy Digestive System: Take Control of Those Stomach Woes With Clever Health Tips
What can you do if you simply have a sensitive stomach?
Alleviate stomach pain today by learning how to maintain a healthy, digestive system.
Avoid Irritants
Trying Exotic Foods Is Easier with A Multi-Enzyme
Meatless Cuisines
Improve Your Digestive System and Overall Health
