As a nutritionist I am often met with people telling me that they have an allergy to this, intolerance to that... There seem to be few people out there who believe they can function with the full spectrum of food groups. This is a subject which is quite controversial to write about as a nutritionist as it divides my profession so considerably...
You might think it's simple – you either have an allergy to something or you're fine. Indeed that used to be the case, but the lines are now very fuzzy.
So what is a food allergy?
An allergic reaction is something that would not go unnoticed. It is often expressed through severe symptoms such as tongue swelling, breathing problems and inflamed rashes. The bottom line is - if you have an allergy, then you will know about it! Common food allergens include nuts, eggs and shellfish. Your body houses several families of immune cells known as antibodies, and allergies involve the immunoglobulin cells, IgE. These trigger certain chemical reactions in the body such as increase in histamine, which is implicated to varying degrees in hay fever. It is these chemicals which provoke reactions such as tongue swelling and breathing problems which can be potentially fatal. When controlled, i.e. when the allergen is avoided, life is normal but you will be very careful with what you eat!
What is a food intolerance?
The theory goes that an intolerance to a certain food type stimulates the activity of a family of immunoglubulins , known as IgG. Raised levels of this antibody indicate sensitivity to a specific food. Slightly raised levels may result in the direction to avoid regular consumption of said food. Other practitioners would advise complete avoidance. Symptoms of food intolerance include bloating, weight gain, skin inflammation, headaches and fatigue – which are symptoms that everyone experiences from time to time due to a variety of possible triggers. Many people self diagnose according to what they read in the media or what their friend has mentioned. Of course this runs parallel with the abundant arrival of a number of professionals and therapists who will happily diagnose intolerances to those who want to hear it!
A nutritionist's conclusion...
Of course, there are open shut cases of food allergy out there. And with those people I truly sympathise, because having to check every tiny ingredient in every item of food you eat is tiring and disheartening to say the least! This is why it puzzles me why so many people seem to be desperate to label themselves with an allergy or intolerance to certain foods.
Of course if you feel uncomfortable or ill each time you eat a certain food, which you have managed to successfully isolate I support you 100% in cutting it out. Not all foods are for everybody, that's for sure. But, eating food fills your stomach so a slight bump is to be expected. Many people complain about feeling bloated after they eat certain foods, but perhaps that is simply the natural feeling of food sitting inside their belly! Perhaps it is not the types of foods that require attention but rather the portion size and ratio of food groups?
I am not denying that some people have allergies and sensitivities to certain foods. Of this I am certain. There are however alarming statistics flying about the world of nutrition, for example that up to 80% of the population lives with a food intolerance, which is not only a vast exaggeration but also frightening because it will convince people into believing that this sensation of food inside them is in fact a sign of all those problematic foods attacking their body from the inside.
How about we enjoy food again? The definition of a healthy diet is one of balance and variety. So let's eat, drink and be merry rather than convincing ourselves that we might explode if we go further than a half mile radius from a whole grain....
You might think it's simple – you either have an allergy to something or you're fine. Indeed that used to be the case, but the lines are now very fuzzy.
So what is a food allergy?
An allergic reaction is something that would not go unnoticed. It is often expressed through severe symptoms such as tongue swelling, breathing problems and inflamed rashes. The bottom line is - if you have an allergy, then you will know about it! Common food allergens include nuts, eggs and shellfish. Your body houses several families of immune cells known as antibodies, and allergies involve the immunoglobulin cells, IgE. These trigger certain chemical reactions in the body such as increase in histamine, which is implicated to varying degrees in hay fever. It is these chemicals which provoke reactions such as tongue swelling and breathing problems which can be potentially fatal. When controlled, i.e. when the allergen is avoided, life is normal but you will be very careful with what you eat!
What is a food intolerance?
The theory goes that an intolerance to a certain food type stimulates the activity of a family of immunoglubulins , known as IgG. Raised levels of this antibody indicate sensitivity to a specific food. Slightly raised levels may result in the direction to avoid regular consumption of said food. Other practitioners would advise complete avoidance. Symptoms of food intolerance include bloating, weight gain, skin inflammation, headaches and fatigue – which are symptoms that everyone experiences from time to time due to a variety of possible triggers. Many people self diagnose according to what they read in the media or what their friend has mentioned. Of course this runs parallel with the abundant arrival of a number of professionals and therapists who will happily diagnose intolerances to those who want to hear it!
A nutritionist's conclusion...
Of course, there are open shut cases of food allergy out there. And with those people I truly sympathise, because having to check every tiny ingredient in every item of food you eat is tiring and disheartening to say the least! This is why it puzzles me why so many people seem to be desperate to label themselves with an allergy or intolerance to certain foods.
Of course if you feel uncomfortable or ill each time you eat a certain food, which you have managed to successfully isolate I support you 100% in cutting it out. Not all foods are for everybody, that's for sure. But, eating food fills your stomach so a slight bump is to be expected. Many people complain about feeling bloated after they eat certain foods, but perhaps that is simply the natural feeling of food sitting inside their belly! Perhaps it is not the types of foods that require attention but rather the portion size and ratio of food groups?
I am not denying that some people have allergies and sensitivities to certain foods. Of this I am certain. There are however alarming statistics flying about the world of nutrition, for example that up to 80% of the population lives with a food intolerance, which is not only a vast exaggeration but also frightening because it will convince people into believing that this sensation of food inside them is in fact a sign of all those problematic foods attacking their body from the inside.
How about we enjoy food again? The definition of a healthy diet is one of balance and variety. So let's eat, drink and be merry rather than convincing ourselves that we might explode if we go further than a half mile radius from a whole grain....
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