What is Food Intolerance?
We are all undoubtedly food intolerant to a certain degree due to our genetic traits; however it varies from person to person. For some people food intolerance levels are so mild that it does not affect them much or at all.
Intolerance can begin from any age and is usually triggered by stress, pregnancy, diet change etc… It is felt or experienced through many different ailments or diseases like arthritis, eczema, psoriasis, migraines and headaches among others.
What types of Food Intolerance are there?
The most common types of intolerance one could face are:
- Gluten Intolerance
- Lactose Intolerance
- Fructose Intolerance and
- Yeast Intolerance
There are many others, including food in-sensitivities like salicylic sensitivity.
Remember we should not mistake food intolerance for real food allergy, that is a different condition and more severe.
When we experience pain from food our first instinct is to reach for pain killers when just a simple diet change could set you free. It is not very difficult at all to follow a diet, you just need to know the foods that cause you pain, understand what to avoid and have them replaced appropriately.
Most people may not know what Gluten is and which foods contain it; or that Fructose is not just present in fruits but in other edible items too. Also – it is not enough to avoid milk if tolerating Lactose is your problem.
What first steps can I take to fix my intolerance?
One of the first steps you can take towards fixing your intolerance would be to eliminate certain food items, or groups, from your diet and document your progress. There’s no need to make harsh diet changes though, sometimes even small changes can have a big impact.
Substituting food items to keep your dietary requirements balanced is important; do consult your physician or a dietician if you have any doubts on the best course of action for you.
