Julie,

Thanks for your comment on my previous post.  I had way too much to say, so I thought I’d write a post about food allergy recognition.  Really, your comment reminded me just how hard it is for so many of us to realize that we have food problems.  Some have full-blown food allergies, others are food intolerances.  Whatever they are, it is inconvenient, painful, and unhealthful.

So how do you know?  Yes, you can go to a food allergy specialist, you can even go to your family practitioner and have them order tests.  I find it interesting though that with Celiac’s disease, there is worry out there that many medical professionals aren’t testing correctly or even missing food allergies completely.  On Celiac.org, you can downlown a pamphlet informative about the disease, that states, “97% of people go undiagnosed with Celiac’s disease.”  Frightening. 

But let me back up for a moment.  I truly believe that the food our parents and even grandparents ate is different than the food we are eating today.  Sure, there is more fast food out there, but what we consider “food,” is simply shameful.  The “junk food” we were taught about when we were small is now an acceptable part of the normal American diet.  It makes me sick.  Even the produce has changed.  The seeds that are being produced by a great majority of our farmers are GMO (Genetically modified), and controlled by our drug companies.   How in the world can they be as good for us?

When it comes down to it, if we really think about it, how often do we feel good after a meal? That thought was what began my search.  I was feeling horrible nearly every time I ate in college.  My uncle got really sick and was diagnosed with a wheat allergy, which prompted the testing of my immediate family. 

When the builder was just over one and beginning to eat solids, we noticed diaper rash far too often.  We had our chiropractor/kinesioligist test him, and we found a dairy allergy.  The dancer never liked bread, but would always eat my spelt sandwiches…tested her, and she has a wheat allergy just like her mom.  Though the designerdoesn’t have a dairy allergy, once he switched to almond milk he noticed a major improvement in his health (as well as a trimming of his waistline).  

I do believe a lot of it is trial and error, or intuition.  Listening to your body is such an important part of your health.  Keep a food journal.  Wherever you decide to go, get tested.  The sooner you know, the sooner you can make positive changes and feel better.  It’s soo worth it.  I’ll never go back.

If you’re like Julie and want to try non-traditional food allergy testing, possible choices are:

• chiropractor/kinesiologists
• naturopathic physicians
• homeopathic specialists
• irodologists

Whatever you find out, make gradual changes.  Set achievable goals for yourself and your family.  Reach out to those who are fighting the same battles.  You’ll be surprised at how many you know are also fighting food allergies.  And keep asking questions.  Oh, and Julie, if you are still moving up here, I’d be happy to give you some options of professionals to go see…:)