FreeFrom & Special Diets

Another huge topic and one very close to my heart since I have multiple food intolerances.

First of all, check out the Allergy section for how to identify and deal with intolerances. Most people can identify what the issue is, eg. leaky gut, candida, poor liver function, lack of digestive ability and so on, and then do something about it.

You can instantly download the 10- page Food Allergy & Intolerance Factsheet and look at various tests including the most popular ones combined in the Allergy & Intolerance Screen.

Don't forget too to look at the Food section and below at Nutrichef, a service who will now deliver whatever diet you plan to follow weekly to your door for not much more than an average weekly shop!

In my experience, most people can go back to eating their 'intolerance' foods again in moderation after a period of proper controlled abstinence and repair work. This is usually when the body has simply had too much too often of the problem foods and starts to show symptoms. The issue could have been there all along but the body starts to moan about it if you push it too hard; it often comes out of nowhere as we get older simply because our digestive ability and immune systems are not as strong as they were. It's not true really to say it's just started, but more that the body has been able to cope up until now.

Sadly, a few people (and I'm one of them) don't seem able to get past the intolerances and have to continue to abstain. Boo hiss.

Which are you?

Anyway, once you know what you are intolerant to, or if you're following an elimination diet, you need to know how to avoid your foods well enough. If I had £1 for every time someone said to me that they don't eat any of their offending food(s), and I then point out how they actually are, I would be rich!

I often say to patients that eating even a tiny amount is enough to cause half their problems related to intolerances. And don't think your symptom can't be related to intolerance; I have seen pretty much everything. Even conditions like depression, endometriosis and restless legs are often intolerance-related though you honestly wouldn't think it, would you?

Just having a baked bean, say, once a fortnight that has a single molecule of wheat in it can cause the intolerance reaction. It's not about how much, but IF it's in the body's system. That's why special diets need to be done right. It's no good just cutting it out willy nilly or it won't ever work. (That said, sometimes it can be a cumulative intolerance and people can get away with cutting it right down.)

Did you know, for example, that MSG is wheat-based, that 'modified starch' on a label means wheat most often, that malt is made from barley or other gluten grains, that white pepper has wheat in it sometimes??? It's not just the obvious terms we need to watch out for.

Useful Resources

Below you can download some useful resources, but really to get you on the right track, have a consultation; it will pay dividends in time and money wasted in the long run.

FreeFrom Food Delivery