Intolerances & Sensitivities: Lactose, Wheat & Gluten.

 Do you suspect you might have a food intolerance or are more sensitive to certain foods than others? Do you get symptoms of gas, bloating, constipation or diarrhoea, cramping and/or nausea after eating certain foods?

This could be a food intolerance, which is DIFFERENT to a food allergy. A food intolerance is not life threatening, whereas, a food allergy can be fatal.

Food INTOLERANCES and SENSITIVITIES; are non-immune mediated responses to foods that is caused by an inability to digest a certain food and the resulting in unpleasant digestive (stomach) symptoms, such as stomach cramps, bloating, nausea, reflux, flatulence, constipation and/or diarrhoea.

If you have a suspected food intolerance we will carry out an initial assessment and 5-7 day food and symptom diary in order to identify triggers. This will be used to formulate a specialised dietary plan, often entailing an elimination phase (of suspected trigger foods) and then a reintroduction phase, where the eliminated foods are reintroduced one at a time and symptoms monitored. Finally, a nutritional plan will be formulated to ensure your diet is nutritionally complete, whilst avoiding triggers and preventing/reducing symptoms.

A food ALLERGY is when the body's immune system attack's a certain food (fatty foods rich in protein such as peanuts, milk, eggs, shellfish, wheat, soybeans, tree-nuts, fish) resulting in an immune-mediated reaction. Symptoms of a food allergy can be severe and even life threatening (skin reactions similar to hives, swelling and itching, anaphylaxis, difficulty breathing, wheezing, dizziness & death). If you suspect someone has a food allergy, seek medical advice immediately. If you you suspect a food allergy, please contact your GP/doctor.

For more information on the difference between allergy and food intolerances see https://www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/Allergy.pdf

For more information on allergies see https://www.bda.uk.com/foodfacts/CopingFoodAllergies.pdf

For more information on food intolerance's and symptoms/treatment options see https://www.allergyuk.org/information-and-advice/conditions-and-symptoms/586-types-of-food-intolerance 

Allergy UK is the leading national charity providing support, advice and information for those living with allergic disease. Please visit https://www.allergyuk.org/information-and-advice/conditions-and-symptoms