Food Sensitivities & Intolerances

Food reactions can feel confusing, unpredictable, and overwhelming — especially when the same food is tolerated one day and causes symptoms the next.
Contrary to what many people are told, food reactions are rarely “just about the food”.

They are usually a reflection of:

• digestive capacity (enzymes, stomach acid)

• gut motility

• microbiome balance

• intestinal permeability (leaky gut)

• nervous-system state

• hormonal shifts

• inflammation

• the body’s stress load

Understanding why your body reacts — not just what you reacted to — is where long-term clarity comes from.

Why Food Sensitivities Develop

Food sensitivities are often triggered by underlying factors such as:

• SIBO or dysbiosis
  Fermentation and gas can cause bloating, pain, or distention after certain foods.

• Leaky gut / permeability changes
  When the gut lining is irritated, the immune system may react to foods it previously tolerated.

• Low stomach acid or enzymes
  Poor breakdown leads to bloating, heaviness, and unpredictable reactions.

• Stress & the gut–brain axis
  Stress can reduce digestive secretions and make the gut more reactive.

• Hormonal fluctuations
  Many people experience symptoms that appear “food-related” but actually follow their monthly cycle.

• Post-infectious changes
  After food poisoning, antibiotics, or a virus, digestion can become hypersensitive.

Sensitivities are symptoms — not the root cause.

Common Symptoms of Food Intolerance

• bloating

• nausea

• stomach cramps

• loose stools or urgency

• constipation

• fatigue after meals

• brain fog

• skin reactions

• fluctuating tolerances (a key sign)

Patterns often matter more than the foods themselves.

Why Eliminating Foods Isn’t a Long-Term Solution

Elimination diets can reduce symptoms short-term, but without addressing the underlying reason:

• tolerances keep shrinking

• more foods become “trigger foods”

• anxiety around eating grows

• microbiome diversity decreases

• the system becomes more reactive

The goal is expansion, not restriction.

Long-Term Support for Food Sensitivities

Sustainable improvement often involves:

• strengthening digestive function

• improving enzyme and stomach acid levels

• balancing the microbiome

• repairing gut barrier integrity

• calming inflammation

• regulating the nervous system

• reducing chronic stress patterns

• reintroducing foods safely and gradually

Food freedom comes from supporting the body — not restricting the diet.

This Page in One Sentence

Food sensitivities are rarely about the food itself — they’re a signal that your digestion, microbiome or nervous system needs deeper support.