Do you find our website to be helpful?
Yes   No
Skip to main content

The Difference Between Food Allergies and Food Sensitivities

The Difference Between Food Allergies and Food Sensitivities

If you’ve noticed a link between the foods you eat and negative symptoms, you might assume you have a food allergy, so you steer clear of that ingredient. Your survival instincts are right on target, but your terminology may be off. 

There are four distinct food-related conditions that all sound similar (well, at least three of them do), and it’s important to know which one you have so you can adjust accordingly. 

Here, Dr. James Lee and our team at Woodstock Family Practice & Urgent Care in Woodstock, Georgia, take a closer look at the differences between food intolerances, food sensitivities, food allergies, and celiac disease, and offer a practical way to discover what’s causing your reactions to certain foods.

Food intolerance

If you eat a slice of pizza and feel bloated, gassy, crampy, and nauseated afterward, you may have a food intolerance. We use this term to describe negative food reactions that don’t involve the immune system, but rather, they trigger an abnormal response in your gut. 

If you have a food intolerance, your digestive system has trouble processing a particular ingredient. One of the most common food intolerances is lactose, which is found in milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream, and other dairy products.

Some people have a caffeine, fructose, or fructan intolerance and have to read labels carefully to avoid these sometimes-hidden ingredients.

Food sensitivity

Certain foods can trigger an abnormal response from your immune system — this is called food sensitivity. Like food intolerances, food sensitivities can provoke a long list of uncomfortable effects, such as:

Some research suggests that food sensitivities stem from a change in your gut microbiota, which may be caused by genetic or environmental factors, an imbalance of good-to-bad bacteria in your gut, or an insufficient amount of bacteria. 

The most common food sensitivity is gluten, which is found in wheat products, grains, certain condiments, some beverages, chips and pretzels, cereals, beer, and many processed foods.

Food allergy

Food intolerances and sensitivities can cause some pretty uncomfortable symptoms, but they aren’t life-threatening. Food allergies can be.

When you eat a food that triggers an allergic reaction, your body mistakes the ingredient (typically a protein) for a foreign invader. It mounts an attack by releasing histamines, and the response can be severe.

Some food allergies cause skin reactions such as itchy rashes, inflammation, and hives. You might also experience intense digestive issues like those we mentioned above. 

The most dangerous food allergy response is when it affects your respiratory system. You may:

This is called anaphylaxis, and if you don’t get immediate emergency medical care, it can be fatal.

About 9 out of 10 food allergies stem from a short list of culprits: peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, shellfish, fish, soybeans, and wheat.

Celiac disease

Although technically not a food allergy, celiac disease is worth mentioning here because it mimics gluten intolerances and sensitivities. Only about 1% of people suffer from this condition, but those who do can become very ill.

Unlike gluten sensitivities and intolerances, celiac disease doesn’t typically cause an immediate reaction. Instead, it builds over time, and if you keep eating gluten, you’ll experience severe diarrhea, weight loss, and may even become malnourished.

If you have celiac disease, you have to be diligent about reading labels and asking to see ingredient lists at restaurants to keep it out of your daily diet.

How to identify your food foes

The best way to find out which foods are causing you problems is to follow an elimination diet. To do this, you eliminate the foods you suspect and avoid them completely for a couple weeks. Then, you gradually add them back into your diet one by one to determine which one causes a negative reaction.

However, eliminating food groups from your diet can be dangerous and lead to nutrient deficiency. That’s why we recommend you work with Dr. Lee during the process. He guides you through the steps, advises you about which foods to eliminate, shows you how to keep a food journal, and helps you understand the results. 

If you have a food allergy, it’s critical that you and those you live and work with are aware of it. You may need to carry an emergency dose of epinephrine with you at all times in case you go into anaphylactic shock.

Food sensitivities and intolerances can be managed with conscientious meal management, and they may even decrease in severity or fade away completely over time. 

To learn more about food reactions, schedule an appointment at Woodstock Family Practice & Urgent Care — call or book online today.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Why Does Menopause Cause Such Uncomfortable Symptoms?

Why Does Menopause Cause Such Uncomfortable Symptoms?

If menopause is a natural part of a woman’s life cycle, then why is it causing such unnatural symptoms? Great question, because understanding the biology behind menopausal effects is the first step toward finding relief. Here’s what you need to know.
Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Reversed?

Can Type 2 Diabetes Be Reversed?

If you have Type 2 diabetes, you’re longing for a cure. Until then, recent research shows you may be able to reverse it or go into remission. Here are the facts.

What Can I Expect During a Prostate Exam?

If the prospect of a prostate exam makes you nervous, you’re not alone. Most men avoid the test because the idea of a backside probe sounds uncomfortable and embarrassing. It’s easier than you think, and it helps to know the details before you go.
5 Tips for Controlling Seasonal Allergies

5 Tips for Controlling Seasonal Allergies

If you spend every spring and fall sniffling, sneezing, and rubbing your eyes, you might need more help controlling your seasonal allergies. Here are some tips to get you started.
Am I Too Young for Arthritis?

Am I Too Young for Arthritis?

Your creaky knees and stiff wrists might be giving you the unwelcome news that you have arthritis, even if you think you’re too young for the joint disease. Here are the telltale signs.
How Low Testosterone Can Affect Your Health

How Low Testosterone Can Affect Your Health

Most men know that low testosterone can cause trouble in the bedroom, but did you know it can also wreak havoc with your overall health? Here’s what you need to know about the link between “low T” and physical and mental health conditions.