Sadly, certain foods simply don’t agree with everyone. Luckily, food intolerances are now becoming easier to identify, thanks to allergy tests that can offer more accurate results. If you find yourself experiencing discomfort or other symptoms after you eat certain foods, get it checked out so you know what you need to avoid.
One of the best ways to discover a food intolerance? Go on an elimination diet. This is where you cut out certain foods until you identify which one might be having a negative impact on you.
To figure out what to eliminate, here are four of the most common food intolerances that people face:
For many people, dairy products can lead to digestive issues or even reactions on their skin. This is often due to the lactose that exists within. Lactose intolerance symptoms can also include bloating, nausea and diarrhoea.
Try excluding milk, yoghurt, cheese and butter for your diet as well as any products containing these to see whether there are any improvements in your symptoms.
An allergy to nuts is never fun as so many products can create traces of them. As this allergy is so common and can result in very serious reactions, manufacturers and restaurants are careful to point out when there is even a tiny chance that there could be a single trace of nuts within food items.
Peanuts are the most common nut that many people are allergic to. Signs of a nut allergy could include trouble breathing or digestive issues after being exposed to it.
Another common food allergen, shellfish is a good one to try eliminating from your diet. This allergy is most common in adults and is caused by an abnormal response to proteins found in certain animals. Examples include shrimp, lobster, crab, oysters and scallops amongst others.
The reaction to this allergy can range from mild to life-threatening. If you’re concerned that you may have a shellfish allergy, reach out to your doctor to take a test as soon as possible.
Gluten is the term used for the proteins present in wheat, barley and rye. Mild gluten allergies are common and can be hard to pinpoint. Symptoms include everything from bloating and headaches to depression and anaemia.
Try a gluten-free diet by eliminating bread and pasta for a while to see whether there is any improvement in your symptoms.
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Need some help working out the root cause of your symptoms?
At Duality Health, a private GP can work closely with you to identify the food you may be allergic to. Give us a call today to book yourself in for a food intolerance test.