Food Intolerance, Do You Think You Have One?
While chatting with a friend, she told me that after eating bananas she feels bad. A YouTube subscriber asked, “How do you know that dairy/cheese caused your digestion issues? Today, I tell you how you can discover if you have a food intolerance.
My Quest Bar Experience
I published a post about my experience with Quest Bars. In the beginning, I really enjoyed Quest Bars, but I started noticing a common occurrence after eating these protein bars. And that common occurrence was diarrhea. Now, I could have ignored the symptoms and kept eating Quest Bars, but I chose to stop. When I stopped eating Quest Bars, diarrhea stopped.
How do You know if You Have a Food Intolerance?
A food intolerance is less serious than a food allergy and oftentimes limited to digestion problems. Digestion problems can include: bloating, gas, flatulence, stomach aches, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea.
Here are some ways to discover if you have a food intolerance:
- Make a mental note or keep a food journal. Be mindful of when you try a new food item. If you have to write it down, then do so in a food journal. If you notice anything unusual, jot it down or make a mental note.
- Try eliminating the suspected food. Eliminate the suspected food for at least a week. After the week is up, reintroduce the suspected food back into your diet. Take note of how you feel and what happens after reintroducing the food back into your diet. If you have digestion problems after reintroducing the suspected food item, then you know that food is the culprit.
- Pay attention to your body. Oftentimes, we assume that digestive issues are normal occurrences, but in actuality, this is not the case. Your digestion system should run smoothly and when it acts up, it is a sign that something is happening that needs your immediate attention.
- Get tested for the suspected food intolerance. If you do all the above and still cannot pinpoint what is going on, get tested to learn what causes your food intolerance. Oftentimes, you can figure this out by simply doing a process of elimination, but if you cannot discover the food that causes the problem, then please have a food intolerance test.
Your Body is the Messenger, Please Listen
Your body sends you signals on how it is doing. If it is not doing well, it will definitely let you know.
You have to spend time with your body, listening to the messages your body sends. If you ignore the messenger, your body, then how will you ever get to the cause of what’s happening in your body.
After listening to your body and noticing what’s happening with your body, the next step is taking action.
Stop ignoring the messenger, pay attention, and take action!
Discussion: If you have a food intolerance, please share how you discovered the food intolerance.
Image courtesy of stockimages at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Pin pointing the source of a food intolerance can be so hard! Sometimes the symptom (gas, bloating, diarrhea) doesn’t start for several hours after eating the trigger food. I love oatmeal and used to eat it almost every morning. Then after my mid-morning snack, whether it be some almonds, fruit or avocado toast I would always get bloated. It took me a long time to figure out it was the oatmeal, maybe part of it was I didn’t want to give it up. I also had a similar issue with watermelon. I would eat it at lunch and after dinner my belly would be so bloated and distended I looked pregnant. I finally realized it was all of the fructose and now eat watermelon on occasion instead of daily.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Lori-Ann,
You’re right; it can be hard to pinpoint the food that causes symptoms. I am glad you were able to determine the foods that you cannot tolerate.
It feels good knowing that we can look inward, take notice of what’s going on in our bodies, and figure out what our bodies can or cannot tolerate. I think that is amazing!
Thanks for sharing your food intolerance experience, Lori-Ann!
This is quite useful. I agree, the body is the messenger. Never just listen to your tongue! I think I have intolerance to Thai Red Curry!
Hi Sapana,
Thanks for sharing!
Food Intolerance… looks interesting!
If I am eating it all and exercising enough?
Yes Evelyn I had to do this myself and it’s so worth the examination. It’s the best way to see what’s going on 😉
Hi TeaJae!
It sure is. Glad to know that you have done this and reaped the benefits from doing this.
Have a great week!