Food Allergies: What You Need to Know

It doesn't matter if one is a health nut who eats leafy greens, healthy fats, and lean proteins on the regular; or if one is a foodie who eats most anything and enjoys dinners out; food allergies do not discriminate.

Some of the common allergens are nuts, soy, dairy, and gluten. Others are specific veggies, proteins, fats, and fruits. These food allergies will not necessarily show up in the form of runny noses, itchy eyes, or skin rashes. They may present themselves as fatigue, stomach pains, anxiety, depression, joint pain, asthma, acne, bad breath, constipation, diarrhea, brain fog, hyperactivity, puffy eyes and face, and even stubborn weight loss.

Most people will have at least one food allergy and will likely not know that their symptoms are due to a food allergy. This is why it is crucial to pinpoint these allergies. An effective way to test for allergies is to eliminate common allergens from one's diet for at least three weeks. It is important to also cut back on coffee (slowly- not cold turkey) and alcohol. If one eliminates a whole food group, ( for example, dairy) it's important to get the nutrients found in dairy (calcium, vitamin D, etc) from another source to avoid deficiencies.

Once a clean slate is achieved, certain foods can slowly be reintroduced to see if symptoms return (hello Level 2 Betr health!). Another option is a standard allergy test. The problem with this is that allergy tests aren’t precise enough to detect low-level reactions to food substances that could be causing symptoms.

1. Addiction to a certain food- Ever heard that too much of a good thing is not always a good thing? This is certainly the case for food. Eating too much of something for too long can lead to the formation of sensitivity. It can be tough to cut back on one's favorite treat, but the benefits will surely make up for it!

2. Yo-yo dieting without weight loss- A certain food may be causing inflammation in one's body, which in turn hinders weight loss, and causes one to hang on to extra pounds.

3. Feeling swollen and heavy? Puffy fingers and face? This is one way the body shows inflammation, which may be caused by a food sensitivity.

4. The usual allergy symptoms- That is a runny nose, dry eyes, and sinus congestion. If these symptoms are not during high allergy or pollen season but continue throughout the year, it could be a hidden food sensitivity.

5. Health isn't top-notch- Fatigue, constipation, anxiety, infertility, migraines, and acne are but a few symptoms. One of the best medicines is food!

6. Heartburn can also be a symptom of a food sensitivity.

Managing food allergies means more than just checking labels. It involves tracking the foods you’ve been eating. Having an awareness of the foods you are eating, as well as potential reactions to the foods you eat, will help you identify the food allergen causing your symptoms. Start by eliminating commonly known allergens from your diet and reintroduce one food item at a time and observe yourself for potential reactions. Having an elimination period will help you narrow down the immune triggers and help you manage your food allergies. If you are unsure what food allergens you may have, it is highly recommended to consult a health care professional and nutritionist to help guide you in your journey.

Food allergies can be scary and daunting but remember you have choices and with proper awareness and tracking you can be in control.