Understand food intolerance, its symptoms like bloating and diarrhea, and common trigger foods such as dairy and gluten; learn the key differences between intolerances and allergies, and discover helpful management tips.
Ever felt like your body’s giving you mixed signals after you eat something? Like, you’re not *quite* sure what’s going on but it ain’t good? We’re going to explore food intolerance today—what it is, how it differs from allergies, and what you can do about it. Intrigued? We thought you might be! We’ll break it all down, and, um, we’ll dig a little deeper into how to tell the difference between a minor sensitivity and something more serious. Let’s jump in!
Food intolerance, also known as non-IgE mediated food hypersensitivity, is surrounded by misconceptions and inaccurate information.
What does food intolerance mean?
Food intolerance is when your body has trouble digesting a particular food. It’s usually not life-threatening, but it can be pretty uncomfortable. Symptoms can pop up hours or even days after you eat the offending food. And the severity? It varies from person to person. That said, the delay in symptom manifestation, and the unique experience for each person, makes diagnosis tough.
The Difference Between Food Intolerance and Food Allergy
Food intolerance isn’t the same as a food allergy. Food allergies involve the immune system, while intolerances don’t. Food intolerance is considered a non-immune hypersensitivity as mentioned earlier. (Remember that?)
Many foods can cause food intolerance, such as:
- Dairy products.
- Gluten sources, such as: wheat.
- Foods that cause bloating and gas such as: legumes, cabbage, cauliflower.
Symptoms of Food Intolerance
It can be tricky to pinpoint food intolerance or sensitivity because the symptoms are often general and may overlap. But seriously, for those who are not medical professionals, it can be difficult to pinpoint. For instance, in the case of food allergies, tiny amounts of food may cause symptoms, while in the case of food intolerance, tiny amounts of food may not have an effect.
Symptoms of food intolerance can often take a while to show up compared to allergies. Pinpointing the exact food can be difficult, because sometimes several foods can cause intolerance. It can be quite confusing to pinpoint the exact food causing symptoms.
Symptoms of food intolerance can vary widely, often taking longer to appear than food allergy symptoms. Identifying the trigger food can be challenging because multiple foods might contribute to the intolerance, further complicating the diagnostic process.
Common symptoms of food intolerance include:
- Bloating.
- Diarrhea.
- Headaches.
- Coughing.
- Runny nose.
- Irritable bowel syndrome symptoms.
- Skin rashes.
- Fatigue.
If you have any of these allergy-like symptoms, you might want to try cutting out certain foods to see if it helps. Keep a food diary, noting everything you eat each day and any symptoms that pop up. This can help you identify triggers by tracking your daily intake and associated reactions.
Causes of Food Intolerance
There can be many causes of food intolerance. Here are some of the most common:
1. Enzyme Deficiency
Sometimes, food intolerance can be due to a lack of certain digestive enzymes, like in the case of lactose intolerance, which results from a lack of the enzyme lactase, which is responsible for breaking down lactose sugar. The body’s inability to properly digest lactose sugar can lead to discomfort and intestinal problems such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
People who are sensitive to milk protein have symptoms similar to those with lactose intolerance. This raises the question, are the symptoms the result of a protein sensitivity or lactose intolerance?
2. Food poisoning
In cases of food poisoning, contaminated foods can have a direct impact on the body, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea.
Some toxins exist naturally in certain foods. Take fava beans as an example—these toxins can cause digestive upset. So, is it the fava bean or the way it’s cooked?
3. Food’s effects on histamine
Histamine is found naturally in some foods, such as improperly stored fish. It can cause a histamine reaction. Some people are sensitive to this histamine, which can lead to symptoms like abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, rashes, and hives.
4. Sensitivity to food additives
Some people are sensitive and intolerant to certain food additives such as flavorings, colors, preservatives, and others.
5. Chemical compounds
Some foods contain chemical compounds that may cause you to feel intolerant. Some examples are:
- Amines found in some cheeses.
- Caffeine found in coffee and tea.
- Chocolate.
Some people are more sensitive to these compounds than others.
6. Foods Containing Salicylate
Some plant-based foods naturally contain a substance called salicylate, which helps plants fight off bacteria, fungi, and harmful insects. Salicylates are found in fruits, vegetables, teas, spices and some nuts. Some people are sensitive to it and develop symptoms when they eat it.
Treating Food Intolerance
The best treatment for food intolerance is avoidance. Once you identify the trigger, avoiding it can help manage symptoms. For some, eliminating the cause can lead to a resolution of the issue.
How long do you need to avoid the trigger for tolerance to return? It varies from person to person, and personal experience is the only way to know.
How to Treat Diarrhea in the Case of Food Intolerance?
If eating a food that causes diarrhea as one of the symptoms of food intolerance, how do you deal with it? Here are some of the most important ways to treat diarrhea:
- Rest during diarrhea and avoid the cause until the effect disappears.
- Treat diarrhea using some medicines that can be followed without a prescription or some advice from doctors or pharmacists, which contain some of the substances that help treat diarrhea.
- See a doctor if the diarrhea persists.
- Be sure to compensate for the fluids lost from your body by drinking plenty of fluids until you don’t have dehydration.
- Be sure to eat foods that may help with diarrhea, such as: rice and crackers.
- Avoid foods that may increase diarrhea, such as:
- Drinks that contain caffeine.
- Sweet juices.
- Dairy products.
- Fatty foods.
Testimonials
“I used to get terrible stomach cramps and bloating after eating pizza. I thought it was just something I had to live with! Turns out, I’m super sensitive to gluten. Now that I’ve cut it out, I feel like a new person. Seriously, it’s life-changing!” – Sarah M.
FAQ
Question: How can I tell if I have a food intolerance and not something else?
That’s a great question! The best way is to keep a detailed food diary and track your symptoms. If you notice a pattern, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian. They can help you figure out what’s going on and rule out other conditions.
Myth: If I have a food intolerance, I’ll have it forever.
Not necessarily! Sometimes, intolerances can improve over time, especially if you give your gut a chance to heal. Other times, they might be lifelong. It really just depends on the person and the specific intolerance.
So, where does this leave us? We’ve gone through the ins and outs of food intolerance and what it means to live with it. Armed with information we’ve explored together, we can take a step towards recognizing the signals our body sends and making choices that lead to greater well-being. Remember, understanding is the first step toward wellness, isn’t it?
