My Very Random Blog
A Little Bit About Food Sensitivities
There are many reasons why people become sensitive to certain foods. Some reasons are understood and acknowledged, and some are not.
There are many reasons why people become sensitive to certain foods. Some reasons are understood and acknowledged, and some are not.
We know what’s going on in the body when we develop classic allergies to wheat, dairy and the seven other major food allergens–sesame, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, fish, eggs, and soybeans. The immune system overreacts to specific proteins in these foods causing itching, swelling, rashes, and even anaphylaxis.
We also have a pretty good idea how gluten contributes to celiac disease, and the reason for lactose intolerance is fairly clear. And it’s accepted that certain carbohydrates (FODMAPs) may contribute to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). These are diagnosable and treatable conditions: If you have one of them, please follow your medical practitioner’s advice.
But many people we know who avoid gluten or dairy do not do so because of one of these diagnoses. They feel better when they avoid these foods; perhaps experiencing less bloating, better digestion and elimination, or fewer aches and pains. Their doctors don’t understand what’s going on, but hopefully encourage their patients to listen to and believe their own bodies.
There’s much about food sensitivities that we don’t yet understand. But if you’d like detailed information on what is known–and it’s a lot– about a wide range of sensitivities and intolerances, you may find The Health Professionals Guide to Food Allergies and Intolerances by J. V. Joneja to be helpful.
People can be sensitive to many other foods in addition to dairy and wheat. An elimination diet is the best way to figure this out, but it is not easy to do correctly, and may be a waste of time if you try to do it by yourself. If you want to try an elimination diet, enlist the help of a registered dietitian or other nutritionist who has experience with this approach.
Campos, M. (2020, January 30). Food allergy, intolerance, or sensitivity: What’s the difference, and why does it matter? Harvard Health Blog. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/food-allergy-intolerance-or-sensitivity-whats-the-difference-and-why-does-it-matter-2020013018736
Why I Avoid Gluten and Dairy
Over the years, my sister suggested that I try going without dairy to see if it helped clear my sinuses. I dismissed the possibility…
Butter and whipped cream were staples for most of my life. There would always be an extra pound of butter in the freezer for the next cake, and heavy cream in the fridge ready to whip. There were times when I’d whip cream every morning for my coffee.
And, for over 25 years I had sinus infections once or twice a year. Antibiotics stopped working after a while. The symptoms changed from stuffy bacterial growth to a drier treatment-resistant inflammation. The post-nasal drip, itchy throat, coughing, and fatigue would last for months. I had to run out of meetings because of ugly coughing fits. Saline rinses were soothing, but not a cure. I dreaded being around anyone with a cold, knowing that although I could fight off the cold, I would end up with a sinus infection.
Over the years, my sister suggested that I try going without dairy to see if it helped clear my sinuses. I dismissed the possibility because of the lack of research on such a connection. I’m a scientist, a nutritional biochemist. You might think that as a scientist, I would be open to a new hypothesis, and even want to carry out research to test it. Unfortunately, I’m not the only scientist (or medical professional) to assume that if there’s no research demonstrating something, it’s likely to be woo-woo.
Anyway, one winter when a double round of antibiotics didn’t get rid of my sinus symptoms, I happened to pull an old book off my shelf, Food Allergies and Food Intolerance, by Brostoff and Gamlin. It reminded me that while little is known about food sensitivities, they can cause a myriad of symptoms. I decided to see what would happen if I stopped eating any dairy products: no yogurt, ice cream, butter, ghee, whey powder or cream. I can’t recall why I also cut out gluten at the same time, but it makes sense, as wheat is problematic for many people.
Within a few weeks of my new restrictive diet, something surprising happened. Constipation that had so gradually worsened over the years that I took it for granted, disappeared. Since then, it’s become clear: Eating a little wheat slows down my elimination.
My sinuses also felt better, and the next time I got a cold it was over within a week or two. It’s been over five years now, and I haven’t had one sinus infection. These days if I feel a familiar, itchy postnasal drip on the back of my throat, it’s usually because the day before I gave in to a little blue cheese or butter.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Regift?
Let’s take the stigma out of regifting.
The planet is overloaded with stuff. Hopefully we are all trying to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Wouldn’t it be great if there were no shame in regifting?
“This gorgeous vase was a present to me. But I really want you to have it.”
Let’s take the stigma out of regifting.
Plastic Bags Are Reusable
It’s not just about reducing landfill, and plastic in the bellies of seabirds.
A lot of people have gotten pretty good about bringing reusable shopping bags to the grocery store. Here’s the next step: keeping a few used plastic bags in your shopping bag, so that you don’t have to take new bags from the rolls in the produce department.
It’s amazing how durable and long-lasting many of the plastic bags we use for food are. The bags that loaves of bread come in are made of particularly thick plastic. Many of the rolls of bags in produce departments are high quality. Zipper bags tend to be very high quality.
I know that it’s a common habit to throw out plastic bags after one use, but to me, that’s like throwing out a pair of socks after one use. Let’s change that habit!
If your bags are dirty, just add a little water and a drop of soap, hold one end closed, and shake a bit. Rinse a couple times by shaking with cool water. Hang to dry or spread somewhere in the kitchen. Turn them inside out to dry completely.
It’s not just about reducing landfill, and plastic in the bellies of seabirds. Manufacturing uses chemicals and energy and water, and results in air and water pollution. Even if you eat only organic food and live outside of a city, pollutants end up in your lungs and food.