Several years ago, one of my clients went to a naturopath, who ordered a food sensitivity test. My client felt that some foods were causing her some tummy-troubles, but was having difficulty pin-pointing which ones. We were both eager to get the results of the food sensitivity test, as we felt we could use those results to put together a plan for eating that would support her activity levels, her health, and her fat loss goals.
When she got the results, she sent me a copy, along with a note saying, “Karen! I’m basically sensitive to EVERYTHING! What am I supposed to eat?! The only things I am not sensitive to are things I don’t eat very much, because I don’t enjoy them!”
As the years have gone on, this is the identical reaction I get when clients have food sensitivity tests done.
Also as the years have gone on, this coach has learned that there is good reason for it. Let’s break it down a bit:
A food allergy occurs when the body reacts to a food as if it were a threat. Symptoms of a food allergy can include anything from hives or vomiting to anaphylactic shock and death. Even a small dose of the food can cause an allergic reaction. People with food allergies must eliminate the food entirely, and carry an epipen with them, in case of emergency.
To diagnose a food allergy, tests are done by a physician who specializes in allergies. The tests look for an increase in Immunoglobulin E. An increase in IgE means the person has an allergy to the particular food.
Food intolerances, on the other hand, happen when a reaction occurs to food or drink, usually in the GI tract. Symptoms can include nausea, gas, cramps, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and even irritability or headaches. Food intolerances don’t usually result in death, and a person can usually consume a small amount of the food without experiencing symptoms.
To diagnose a food intolerance, the best way is to do a food diary and elimination diet with a qualified nutritionist or coach, slowly re-introducing foods to determine which foods trigger symptoms. This coach also encourages a look at lifestyle factors (stress, anxiety, movement, sleep, relationship with self and food) to see how those might be affecting the experienced symptoms.
Food sensitivity tests do not diagnose food intolerances, and are not typically done by medical professionals. These tests look for Immunoglobulin G. IgG differs from IgE, in that it is a “memory antibody.” In other words, the presence of IgG only means that a person has consumed a certain food on a frequent basis. IgG does not mean someone is sensitive to a certain food, or has an intolerance to a food.
TLDR 1: The main difference between a food allergy and a food intolerance is that a food allergy involves the immune system, and a food intolerance does not.
TLDR 2: Food sensitivity tests can only tell you if you have been exposed to certain foods, not if you have a food intolerance.
So, back to my client. Now that we know all of this, it makes sense that the test came back “positive” for pretty much everything she eats. The test only told her what foods she was regularly exposed to, not which foods might be associated with her tummy-troubles.
Moral of the story (and this is a common theme in my coaching), stick with the basics. Before you go spending time and money on a food sensitivity test that isn’t going to give you the answers you’re looking for, shift your focus to keeping things super simple. Prioritize sleep and movement, make sure you’re eating mostly whole, unprocessed foods, reduce stress, see a therapist to support your mental wellness, dig into why you eat what you eat and when you eat, reduce or eliminate alcohol intake.
And, if you suspect a food allergy or intolerance, go see a certified specialist like a family physician, or an allergist.
Keep coming forward - Coach K
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