Do You Have Food Sensitivities?

Food sensitivities and intolerances have gained a lot of attention in 2015. With an increase in research and studies, we are beginning to learn that many of us are, unknowingly, suffering from the uncomfortable symptoms of food sensitivities. If you have found yourself suffering from brain fog, mood swings, asthma, sore joints, fatigue, adult acne, lethargy, and many other symptoms, it may be time to assess what you eat and see if the foods you consume every day could be causing you harm.

What are food sensitivities?

• Different foods cause different reactions in the digestive tract. You have “food sensitivities” when you have difficulty digesting certain foods. The most common foods that cause food sensitivities are dairy, gluten, eggs, soy, peanuts, and shellfish, but anyone could have a food sensitivities to anything in their diet, even the preservatives or pesticides on their foods.
• In the simplest terms, when the digestive tract is unable to process the food that it fed, it doesn’t digest the nutrients well and can eventually cause inflammation of the gut and the release of toxins into the bloodstream that the body would generally dispose of.

What are the symptoms of food sensitivities?
Food sensitivities can show themselves in a variety of ways. Different people will react differently to the same foods. It all depends on how your digestive tract responds to irritation and inflammation. Here is a list of common and frequent symptoms of food sensitivities:

• Moodiness
• Brain Fog
• Headache
• Gas
• Bloating (Feeling “fluffy”)
• Intense cravings for a particular food
• Depression
• Fatigue
• Acne
• Rosacea
• Joint Pain
• Asthma
• Arthritis
• Dark circles under eyes
• Irregular digestion and constipation

How can I support healthy digestion and avoid the symptoms of food sensitivities?

• The first way to find health and get rid of the annoying symptoms of food sensitivities is to figure out what foods you are sensitive to. The best way to do this is an elimination diet. Start by eliminating dairy, wheat, and other common foods that people are sensitive to. Eliminate these foods for six weeks. Keep a food journal and make notes each day about how you feel mentally and physically.
• After six weeks, reintroduce foods. Again, keeping an accurate log of your food intake and how you feel. If you notice food sensitivities and symptoms, after you reintroduce a certain food. That type of food is the culprit of some of your food sensitivities! Avoiding the foods that cause your symptoms will help you be healthier in every aspect of life.
• It can be extremely frustrating to realize that you have food sensitivities to some of your favorite foods, but remember that your overall mental and physical health can greatly improve your life. Forget about the foods that inhibit you with uncomfortable symptoms.

If you are looking to live a healthier life with nutritional whole foods, regular exercise, and want to approach life with a positive outlook, contact me! I’d love to help support you on your journey and connect with you on improving your life and reaching your health and wellness goals.