Blog article

What are the symptoms of food intolerance? A dietitian explains

By HBF
3 minutes
12 October 2023
Fresh food in clean white bowls
Affecting a quarter of the population1, food intolerances can cause a wide variety of symptoms – while also feeling like a pesky puzzle.1

Let’s explore the process for trying to get a diagnosis, and how a dietitian can help manage your symptoms.

Takeaways

What is a food intolerance?

The term food intolerance broadly refers to foods that cause a chemical reaction within the body which leads to a physical response when consumed. Symptoms can include:

Food intolerances are sometimes confused with food allergies as they have many common symptoms.  However, allergies involve the immune system and can be as serious as anaphylaxis, while intolerances involve the digestive system and cannot.1

While symptoms caused by food allergies typically develop very soon after consuming the food, symptoms caused by food intolerance can be immediate or can take up to 12 to 24 hours to develop.

Intolerance reactions are usually related to the amount of food consumed and may not occur unless a certain amount is consumed.2

Some food intolerances are hereditary, and are more common than allergies, affecting up to 25% of the population across children and adults. Food intolerance has been associated with asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).3

Common causes

There are a wide variety of foods that people can have an intolerance to. Some of these include:

How are food intolerances diagnosed?

It can be difficult to diagnose a food intolerance because the symptoms are so broad and can also be linked to other health conditions.

Talking to your GP is always a good first step. As well as ruling out other possible conditions that could be causing your symptoms, they can refer you to an accredited dietician, who can:  

Managing a food intolerance may involve an elimination diet, which should only be done under the supervision of an accredited dietitian and your GP and only for a short period of time.2

Treating food intolerances

The easiest way to treat a food intolerance is to eliminate the offending food/s from your diet. It is sometimes possible to build your tolerance for foods by avoiding them for a time, and then reintroducing them in small doses.2 

How can a dietitian help manage food intolerances?

A qualified dietician can help you identify and manage food intolerances in a variety of ways, including:


“It’s important not to restrict your diet too much and limit nutritional variety and diversity. A dietitian can help with increasing that variety and diversity while limiting symptoms from food intolerances,” HBF Dietitian Mary Du Heaume adds.

 

Looking for healthy eating advice?

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Explore Extras Cover


Australian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allery (ASCIA) – Causes of Food Intolerances

Better Health Channel – Causes of Food Intolerances

Nutrition Australia – Food Intolerances

Dietitians Australia – Adverse food reactions role statement


This article contains general information only and does not take into account the health, personal situation or needs of any person. In conjunction with your GP or treating health care professional, please consider whether the information is suitable for you and your personal circumstances.

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