Symptoms of a food intolerance | How to identify problem foods

Identifying what is causing symptoms of a food intolerance is not easy. That is because the symptoms are so common and are also the result of other illnesses. We’re talking about symptoms like bloated stomach, nausea, anxiety and headaches. See what we mean? They are sometimes the result of stress, dehydration or burnout. However, the most common cause is often a food intolerance. If you ever get a funny feeling in your stomach and get the runs, your first thought shouldn’t always be stress and just accept, it could be the result of dodgy food. Whilst you shouldn’t discount stress and should always consult a GP with any symptoms, you shouldn’t rule out an intolerance. Below we talk about each symptom of intolerance and include what foods are potential problems.

Bloated Stomach – Result of a food intolerance

One of the most common symptoms of food intolerance is a bloated stomach. This is perhaps because it is also the most noticeable. People often feel embarrassed if they have a bloated stomach. Body image issues are sometimes psychological, but bloat cannot be disputed. It’s not even the result of eating too much food half the time. That is a common misconception. It is usually a case of eating the wrong food.

For example, if you have an intolerance to wheat and then eat bread, you’re likely to experience a bloated stomach. It doesn’t matter how much you eat of it. Your body won’t always tolerate it. One slice could be too much and lead to you feeling unwell. If you have a slice of toast in the morning before a big meeting, then you might feel a bit upset as your suit trousers might not buckle up. That is when bloat can really be an issue. Not only is it a physical issue, but it can also cause mental health issues as it can be embarrassing. It could be detrimental to your self-confidence.

To deal with your bloat, we would recommend a food intolerance test. That can point you in the right direction to finding out what is causing your symptoms of an intolerance, such as bloating

Are headaches a symptom of a food intolerance?

Indeed they are. Headaches are often associated with dehydration or stress. They are different to migraines in a sense, but sometimes the causes are similar. Don’t get us wrong. Headaches can still be the result of someone feeling stressed or anxious. But they could also be the result of a food intolerance. If you do eat a food that you have an intolerance to, you might experience headaches, nausea or bloat.

Does this muddy the waters? Slightly. A food intolerance test does not directly tell if a food is causing your headache, but it gives you an insight. It points you in the right direction and then common sense can be applied. If every time you consume a glass of milk and experience pain in your head, it is likely because of something you have eaten.

If the headaches are constant, you should speak to a GP or health professional to ensure it is not something more severe. So, if you cut out a food and the headaches stop, then you know it was a food intolerance. If they don’t, there are ways that a doctor can help you.

Diarrhoea and Constipation

Diarrhoea and constipation are often associated with food intolerances. You may hear people say ‘ate something dodgy last night’ if they are struggling with their stomachs. However, they are usually referring to food poisoning, rather than food intolerance. And there is quite a big difference. Food poisoning is usually the result of eating undercooked food or food containing bacteria. Salmonella and raw chicken, for example. This often results in nausea, headaches and diarrhoea. But this could be a one-off. If you have a food intolerance, you may experience these symptoms every time you consume the food.

If you have an intolerance to wheat, you must avoid wheat in your diet for at least six weeks. Otherwise, without giving your body time to rest, you will just feel nauseous and experience tummy upset. Even the most well-cooked wheat meal or chicken will mean you may still experience diarrhoea or constipation. That’s why understanding food intolerances are so important.

For more information on food intolerance testing, and learning how to deal with your symptoms, take a look at our intolerance testing page. Alternatively, get in touch via our contact form today.