Common Food Sensitivity Symptoms

Food intolerance affects 15-20% of the population.

Food intolerance is a prevalent issue, affecting a significant portion of the population. It occurs when the body has difficulty digesting certain foods, often due to enzyme deficiencies or sensitivity to specific food components. Symptoms can vary widely and may include gastrointestinal discomfort, bloating, headaches, skin problems, and fatigue.

It’s important to distinguish food intolerance from food allergies. Food allergies involve the immune system and can be more severe, sometimes leading to life-threatening reactions. Food intolerance typically doesn’t involve the immune system, and reactions are generally less severe, although they can still significantly impact quality of life.

For those experiencing food intolerance, identifying trigger foods and managing their intake is key to reducing symptoms and improving overall well-being. This can involve keeping a food diary, undergoing elimination diets, or seeking medical advice for testing and guidance.

Symptoms of food sensitivities can vary widely among individuals and may manifest differently depending on the specific sensitivity and the severity of the reaction.

Common symptoms include:

1. Digestive Issues: This can include bloating, gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting after consuming trigger foods.
2. Skin Reactions: Symptoms may include hives, eczema, rashes, itching, or swelling around the mouth or face.
3. Respiratory Problems: Some individuals may experience nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, wheezing, or asthma-like symptoms after eating trigger foods.
4. Headaches or Migraines: Food sensitivities can sometimes trigger headaches or migraines in susceptible individuals, often within a few hours of consuming the offending food.
5. Fatigue and Malaise: Feeling tired, sluggish, or generally unwell after eating certain foods can be a symptom of food sensitivities.
6. Joint Pain: Inflammatory reactions to certain foods may lead to joint pain, stiffness, or swelling, particularly in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
7. Mood Changes: Some people may experience mood swings, irritability, anxiety, or depression as a result of food sensitivities.
8. Brain Fog: Difficulty concentrating, memory problems, or mental fogginess after consuming trigger foods can indicate sensitivity.
9. Weight Changes: Food sensitivities may contribute to unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight in some individuals.
10. Other Symptoms: Additional symptoms can include mouth ulcers, heart palpitations, itchy eyes, and changes in bowel habits.

It’s important to note that various factors can cause these symptoms; not all symptoms indicate food sensitivity. If you suspect you have food sensitivities, it’s essential to consult with a functional medicine healthcare professional for proper diagnosis and management.

Some of the most common food sensitivities include:

• Gluten is a peptide in wheat, barley, rye, and many processed foods. Gluten sensitivity or intolerance can cause digestive issues, bloating, fatigue, and other symptoms.
• Dairy: Lactose intolerance is a common sensitivity to milk and dairy products, leading to digestive discomfort, bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
• Eggs: Allergies or sensitivities to eggs can manifest as skin reactions, digestive issues, or even respiratory problems in severe cases.
• Soy: Soy allergies or sensitivities can cause digestive problems, skin reactions, and, less commonly, respiratory symptoms.
• Nuts: Allergies to nuts, such as peanuts or tree nuts like almonds, can be severe and even life-threatening for some individuals, causing anaphylaxis, hives, or digestive issues.
• Shellfish: Allergies to shellfish, including shrimp, crab, and lobster, are common and can cause severe allergic reactions.
• Corn: Sensitivity to corn and corn products can lead to digestive issues, skin rashes, headaches, and other symptoms.
• Nightshades: Some individuals may be sensitive to nightshade vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, eggplants, and peppers, experiencing digestive discomfort or inflammation.
• Citrus Fruits: Citrus allergies or sensitivities can cause some people’s mouth irritation, digestive problems, or skin reactions.
• Sulfites: In wine, dried fruits, and certain processed foods, sensitivity to sulfites can cause breathing difficulties, headaches, or skin reactions in susceptible individuals.

These are the top challenges that food sensitivities cause for people I work with.

Can you relate?

1. I need help navigating restaurant menus to find options that won’t trigger my food sensitivities.
2. I wish I could attend social gatherings without worrying about accidentally consuming foods that make me sick.
3. I want easy-to-follow recipes tailored to my specific food sensitivities.
4. I need guidance on how to read food labels effectively to avoid hidden allergens.
5. I wish more allergy-friendly options were available at grocery stores in my area.
6. I want to enjoy meals with my family without feeling left out or restricted.
7. I need support in explaining my dietary restrictions to friends and family members.
8. I wish to find reliable substitutes for my favorite foods that won’t cause adverse reactions.
9. I want to learn how to manage cross-contamination risks when cooking at home.
10. I need strategies for dining out safely while traveling or eating at unfamiliar restaurants.

Bottom Line

Have you ever felt puzzled by mysterious symptoms like bloating, headaches, or fatigue after enjoying your favorite meals? 

Your body might be sending you the necessary signals. 

Our Food Sensitivity Test is here to decode these messages, shedding light on how your body responds to different foods.

Introducing the Food Sensitivity Test 🍽️

The Food Sensitivity Complete panel assesses sensitivity to 209 common foods in the Western diet and food additives such as preservatives, artificial sweeteners, emulsifiers, food dyes, and pesticides, which can cause chronic inflammation and increased intestinal permeability (leaky gut). You may benefit from this panel if you are diagnosed with or suspect intestinal permeability, autoimmune disorders, or chronic inflammation.

Is This Test Right For Me?

Do you struggle with these symptoms?

• Gas 
• Bloating 
• Fever 
• Fatigue  
• Abdominal pain  
• Diarrhea  
• Constipation  
• Headaches  
• Brain fog 
• Rashes, such as eczema 
• Nausea and vomiting 
• Skin itchiness and redness 
• Bronchitis and asthma-like symptoms  
• Musculoskeletal joint pain 
• Muscle stiffness and swelling  

Why Is This Test Important?

Food intolerance affects 15-20% of the population.

Food sensitivity symptoms are generic and mimic other conditions, making diagnosis difficult and increasing unnecessary suffering.

Food and food additive sensitivities contribute to a leaky gut and harm the intestinal lining, causing inflammation.

Chronic inflammation is associated with serious diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and autoimmune disease.

The Complete Food Sensitivity Complete panel will allow you to get to the root of symptoms and build a personalized nutrition plan with your provider to eliminate inflammatory dietary triggers, balance your gut, and improve your lifestyle.

Simple testing with robust results. If you order the finger prick blood draw test, you can perform this test in the comfort of your home or have your blood drawn from your arm. If you have questions about which test to order, email us.

To order the finger prick blood test.

To order the arm blood draw food complete with candida bundle.

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Tags: anxiety, bloating, common food sensitivities, eczema, fatigue after eating, Food Sensitivity Test, functional medicine test, GI Issues, headaches, migraines, Nancy Guberti, Wellness