Food Allergies vs. Food Intolerance
Food Allergy eTraining Slide 7
A food allergy is different from a food intolerance. Milk is one that is often misinterpreted by some as a food allergy when in actuality may just be a food intolerance. 鈥淎 food intolerance is the body鈥檚 abnormal reaction to a food but in a way that does not involve the immune system. A food allergy is triggered by an immune response鈥nd poses a much greater health risk鈥� (U.S. Food and Drug Administration).
A doctor can confirm the presence or absence of a food allergy and/or food intolerance. Some ways they may diagnoses is through a skin prick test that exposes a person to a tiny amount of suspected food allergens on the skin and observing what cause a reaction. They may also have an individual keep a diet diary to record foods eaten and his or her reaction to them and then eliminate suspected foods from the diet and observe results there after.
Food Allergy
- Food allergies are different from a food intolerance
- A food intolerance is the body鈥檚 abnormal reaction to a food but DOES NOT involve the immune system
- A doctor can confirm the presence or absence of a food allergy and/or food intolerance
Food Intolerance
Types of Food Intolerance:
- Lactose Intolerance
- Food additives
- Gluten Intolerance
- Food poisoning
- Histamine toxicity
Signs & Symptoms:
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain or cramping
- Diarrhea
- Nausea & vomiting
