Food Allergy vs Food Intolerance: What is The Difference And How Can You Prevent it?

Often used interchangeably, food intolerance and food allergy are two very different things.

Our lives are based on food and physical reactions to certain foods are common, but most are caused by a food intolerance rather than a food allergy. An individual can be triggered by even a small amount of food and food allergies occur every time the food is consumed. People with food allergies are generally advised to avoid harmful foods completely. Whereas, on the other hand, food intolerances are often dose related; People with food intolerances may not have symptoms unless they eat a large amount of food or eat it frequently.

Some of the symptoms of food allergy and food intolerance are similar, but the differences between the two are very important.

What is a food allergy?

Food allergy: Our immune system is the body’s defense against invaders such as bacteria, fungi, or the common cold virus. When a person has a food allergy, their immune system mistakenly sees the food as hostile and the body’s defense mechanism kicks in. So, food allergy is an immune system reaction that occurs shortly after eating a certain food. These reactions are also called IgE-mediated reactions.

Symptoms of a food allergy can include

• Rash
• Nausea
• stomach ache cramps
• Diarrhea
• Skin itch
• Difficulty breathing

What is food intolerance?

An intolerance occurs when the body cannot digest a certain component of a food, such as lactose, a sugar found in milk. So food intolerance is an IgG-mediated immune response.

Symptoms of food intolerance include:

• Stomachache
• Gas, cramps, or bloating
• vomiting
• Acidity
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Irritability or nervousness

Difference Between Food Allergy and Food Intolerance

Therefore, food allergy and food intolerance are totally different disorders. The difference between a food allergy and an intolerance is the body’s response. So when you have a food allergy, your immune system triggers the reaction, and if you have a food sensitivity or intolerance, the reaction is triggered by your digestive system.

How to prevent it?

It is not difficult to prevent such allergies. Once the foods that can trigger a reaction have been identified, it is best to avoid such options. In case of severe allergies, it is best to consult a doctor who will have a designated prescription and better guide as to the allergic reaction to that particular food.

Also, whenever you go out, it is best to clarify that you do not want these foods on your plate to avoid any kind of discomfort.