Are Food Sensitivities Slowing YOU Down?

Are you chronically fatigued?  Are you feeling moody or depressed? Are you finding it difficult to lose weight?  Maybe it’s time to take a closer look at the foods you are eating!

By Kristin Hoppe
Certified Nutrition Consultant

I grew up chronically fatigued, always wanting to take a nap, and never understanding why.  In my 20s, I tried everything to lose weight.  I even went vegetarian because I thought that was “healthy” for me.

Little did I know that my vegetarian diet of mostly bread and cheese consisted of the two foods I was most sensitive to. 

You may think you eat “healthy”, but even “healthy” foods can have adverse reactions in your body.  The solution is figuring out which foods work best for your body; what is “healthy” for you.

What is the difference between a…
Food Allergy, Food Sensitivity, & Food Intolerance?

These terms are often used interchangeably and inappropriately.  However, generally speaking, food allergies and food sensitivities involve the immune system where food intolerance does not.

A Food Allergy is the least common, best known, and most dangerous, affecting approximately 1-2% of the population.  It involves an immediate reaction of the immune system.  One severe example is a peanut allergy, which can result in anaphylactic shock. Most food allergies, however, are not life threatening.

A Food Sensitivity is a delayed food allergy and affects up to 60% of the population. These can manifest in many different ways and can take from 45 minutes to several days for symptoms to become apparent.  The delayed onset of symptoms and complex physiological mechanisms make them difficult to understand and they often go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.  Conventional treatments prescribed usually provide temporary relief and mask the symptoms instead of addressing the root cause.

A Food Intolerance does not involve the immune system.  When the food in question is consumed, it is not properly digested and begins to ferment inside the digestive tract.  For example, lactose intolerance is an inability of the body to produce enough of the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose, the primary sugar found in milk.  Up to 30% of the population may be affected by food intolerances.

What Are Symptoms of Food Sensitivities?

We often think of food reactions involving digestion, and they do, classic symptoms include constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), heartburn, gas, and bloating. However, you may be surprised to learn that food sensitivities can also manifest in many common neurological conditions such as migraines, headaches, fatigue, insomnia, poor mental focus (brain fog), depression, and anxiety. 

Skin conditions such as eczema, rash, dry skin, itchy skin, acne, rosasea, and hives can also occur.  Weight loss resistance, musculoskeletal pain, congestion, and respiratory conditions are also common symptoms of food sensitivities.

What causes Food Sensitivities?

Many factors can contribute over time, and food sensitivities often appear seemingly out of nowhere. A person’s age, diet, environment, and lifestyle play a large role in developing sensitivities. Causes include: poor, unbalanced digestion, chronic stress, immune system or toxic overload, and genetics.   

What can you do?

The good news is there is help available. Using careful dietary manipulation and lifestyle modifications, you do not have to be a prisoner of your symptoms. Nutrition Consultants can help facilitate a systematic approach to uncover and heal your food sensitivities.

Revealing my food sensitivities played a major role in my own healing process. I am happy to report that I now have sustainable energy, have lost 40+ pounds and kept if off for over 5 years, and feel happier than ever in life. 

Kristin Hoppe, BS, NC, is a Certified Nutrition Consultant, Educator, and Natural Chef. She received her nutrition and culinary training from Bauman College, and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Lafayette College.

Her practice, Food Therapy, is dedicated to improving people’s health through an inspiring and comprehensive nutritional approach that celebrates food. Kristin takes a holistic approach to health, providing clients with coaching and nutrition programs designed to facilitate healing with lasting results. She specializes in weight management, food allergies, digestive disorders, fatigue, depression & anxiety, and detoxification & cleansing. Please visit FoodTherapySF to learn more.

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Tags: diet, nutrition, Wellness

Category: Diet & Nutrition