You're suffering some sort of symptoms and you're pretty sure it's a digestive problem but not sure where to start or what to blame... Know the feeling!
Well good news, there's the simple way, and the hard way for sorting you out.
You can get a food intolerance or food sensitivity blood test done. These will take a small blood sample and test you against 60 - 200+ foods, colours, preservatives etc (the more you pay, the more they'll test ;).
Well good news, there's the simple way, and the hard way for sorting you out.
You can get a food intolerance or food sensitivity blood test done. These will take a small blood sample and test you against 60 - 200+ foods, colours, preservatives etc (the more you pay, the more they'll test ;).
There is some negative press about such tests, but in my personal experience and those of clients it's been very accurate and a real time saver. The usual advice of go somewhere reputable certainly applies!
option 2: an Elimination diet
The other option is to try an elimination diet. The idea being being you eliminate all suspect foods you have an inkling may be causing any upsets, as well as the most common culprits of food intolerances.
Steps to take when going solo:
1. Keep a food dairy
2. Make a note of any discomfort or symptoms you feel; from bloating to lethargy
3. Identify all possible culprits
4. Eliminate all culprits until you no longer suffer any symptoms
5. Go TWO full weeks without any suspect foods
6. One at a time, slowly reintroduce each of the suspects and check for a reaction. Reintroduce no more than one every couple of days for accuracy.
7. If you don't suffer any reaction, you may reintroduce that food into your diet. If not, eliminate the food for a couple of months before trying to reintroduce it again. The hope is you can restore your gut to a point where you can hopefully consume a wider selection of the culprits once your digestive health improves.
8. If you are reacting to multiple food sensitivites or intolerances, I'd strongly suggest seeking a Naturopath for ongoing help, this can be a long process and good guidance and adherence is paramount.
REMEMBER:
Some reactions may even run in to the next, meaning you may be intolerant to two foods but only blaming one... As mentioned, it can get tricky but not impossible!
1. Keep a food dairy
2. Make a note of any discomfort or symptoms you feel; from bloating to lethargy
3. Identify all possible culprits
4. Eliminate all culprits until you no longer suffer any symptoms
5. Go TWO full weeks without any suspect foods
6. One at a time, slowly reintroduce each of the suspects and check for a reaction. Reintroduce no more than one every couple of days for accuracy.
7. If you don't suffer any reaction, you may reintroduce that food into your diet. If not, eliminate the food for a couple of months before trying to reintroduce it again. The hope is you can restore your gut to a point where you can hopefully consume a wider selection of the culprits once your digestive health improves.
8. If you are reacting to multiple food sensitivites or intolerances, I'd strongly suggest seeking a Naturopath for ongoing help, this can be a long process and good guidance and adherence is paramount.
REMEMBER:
Some reactions may even run in to the next, meaning you may be intolerant to two foods but only blaming one... As mentioned, it can get tricky but not impossible!
summary
It's really as simple as you make this process, just remember:
What gets measured, gets managed
You must quantify what your eating so patterns occur and assumptions made. Start by eliminating the common culprits and keep notes of anything suspect, and of course seek further medical advice if needed.
Sam
Suggested Reading:
Most Common Causes & Symptoms of Food Intolerances
What is a Food Intolerance
What gets measured, gets managed
You must quantify what your eating so patterns occur and assumptions made. Start by eliminating the common culprits and keep notes of anything suspect, and of course seek further medical advice if needed.
Sam
Suggested Reading:
Most Common Causes & Symptoms of Food Intolerances
What is a Food Intolerance
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