Food allergy or intolerance? Find out how to identify the condition

Food allergy or intolerance? Find out how to identify the condition


Both food allergies and intolerances can limit the patient’s diet. Check out some tips for dealing with illnesses

Who hasn’t eaten something that didn’t go down well? For some people, this “indigestion” can generate symptoms of intense discomfort or even an allergic reaction. In these cases it is necessary to identify whether it is a simple allergy or a food intolerance.




According to Alanna Vargas, clinical nutritionist at Sodexo On-site in the Schools & Universities segment, food intolerance involves the body’s inability to digest or process a specific food, often due to a lack of an enzyme needed for digestion. The main approach to dealing with the condition is to avoid the trigger food or limit its intake, depending on the person’s tolerance level.

Food allergy is a condition in which the immune system reacts negatively to certain foods, triggering an allergic response that can vary in severity. Each of the situations, therefore, requires its own conduct. Below, the nutritionist explains how to address each.

How to deal with food intolerance?

“Although food intolerance can be challenging, with proper care and dietary adjustments, it is possible to lead a healthy, quality life while minimizing the impact of food intolerance on daily life,” says the nutritionist, who provides some tips for dealing with this condition on a daily basis. Check:

  • Accurate identification: It is essential that the patient undergoes appropriate medical tests to identify the specific food intolerance. This may involve blood tests, food allergy tests, hydrogen breath tests, or other diagnostic methods.
  • Exclusion of food: Once the food that triggers the allergy has been identified, it is important to exclude it from the diet or reduce its intake to tolerable levels. This depends on the individual’s tolerance.
  • Label reading: Reading food labels carefully is essential to avoid accidentally ingesting problematic ingredients. Many food allergies and intolerances are regulated regarding the labeling of potentially allergenic ingredients.
  • Cooking at home: Preparing meals at home gives you more control over the ingredients used and reduces the risk of cross-contamination. This allows the patient to have a safer diet.
  • Suitable replacements: Finding safe substitutes for problematic foods is important to ensure a balanced and varied diet. For example, if someone has a lactose intolerance, they can opt for plant-based milk alternatives.
  • Professional Support: Having the support of a nutritionist specializing in food intolerances allows you to have personalized food plans that meet the patient’s nutritional needs.
  • Education and awareness: Both the patient and his guardians, or those who live with him, must be aware of food intolerances and know how to recognize the symptoms and signs of allergic exposure.
  • Regular medical check-up: Regular doctor visits are important to monitor the patient’s condition and make dietary changes as needed.

Manage food allergy

According to the nutritionist, management and treatments can help reduce their impact on the well-being of patients with food allergies. Check out some tips from the pro:

  • Do not consume the trigger food: read food labels carefully, raise awareness of ingredients and completely eliminate allergenic foods from your diet.
  • Emergency Action Plan: Patients with severe food allergies should have an emergency action plan, following the guidance of a doctor. Having quick access to the indicated treatment is crucial, for example, if the allergenic food is accidentally ingested.
  • Education and awareness: Patients and guardians should be aware of the symptoms of allergic reactions, signs of accidental exposure and what to do in case of an emergency.
  • Regular medical visits: Regular medical follow-up with an allergist is important to monitor the patient’s condition and discuss management strategies, which can also help determine whether the allergy persists.

“It is important to remember that each case of food allergy is unique and treatment varies depending on the severity and individual sensitivity. Therefore, it is essential to work closely with an allergist or doctor specializing in food allergies to create a personalized management plan and ensure the safety and well-being of the patient,” emphasizes the professional.

How to prevent nutritional deficiencies and restrictive diets

Often the limitations imposed by a food allergy or intolerance can lead to poor and restrictive diets, without the supply of nutrients necessary for the body to function properly. Therefore, it is important that patients receive an accurate diagnosis and work closely with healthcare professionals, such as nutritionists specializing in food allergies, emphasizes Alanna

“This allows for the creation of personalized meal plans that ensure you get all the essential nutrients. Additionally, getting into the habit of reading food labels and identifying potentially problematic ingredients is important. Searching for suitable substitutes for allergenic foods is another important strategy,” he says.

According to her, supplementation may be necessary in specific cases, especially when the exclusion of certain foods causes nutritional deficiencies. Patients with multiple food allergies or severe intolerances may have difficulty obtaining all essential nutrients through traditional diet alone, while supplements are an option to prevent deficiencies.

“However, it is important to emphasize that the decision to use supplements must be based on individual medical and nutritional assessments. Therefore, patients should never start supplementation on their own, without professional guidance,” emphasizes the professional.

Source: Terra

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