Not feeling in control of your body is one of the most frustrating feelings. It took a while for me to realize food sensitivity could affect me so much! However, the good news is you can still live well with food sensitivity.

Over the last year, I noticed that I would start the day feeling great. I work out 5-6 days per week, I eat a diet rich in superfoods, I take vitamins every day and I track my sleep habits. But towards the end of the day, I would end up feeling bloated, uncomfortable and looking like I was six months pregnant. I had to figure out what was going on! My first step was to order a Food Sensitivity Test to see if food somehow caused these issues.

Food Allergy or Food Sensitivity?

First, it’s important to clarify the difference between a food allergy and a food sensitivity. To break it down into simple terms, a food allergy is your bodie’s immediate or severe reaction to eating a certain food. A food sensitivity is a delayed immune response, which results in the production of the Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody. Food sensitivity can result in joint pain, fatigue, headaches, bloating, or skin irritation.

The Test

In a food sensitivity test, the Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies  are measured. Since the IgG antibodies  only generate in response to a trigger (a food that you are sensitive to), your body will only show a sensitivity to a food that you have recently eaten. For example, if you have not eaten chia seeds at any point in the last 28 days, your test will show a negative (or zero) reaction to chia seeds, even if you are, in fact, sensitive to this food.

I ordered my Food Sensitivity Test from Everlywell. For me, this option worked the best because I was able to complete the testing in my own home and ship it back for testing. The test required me to prick my finger with a small needle provided in the at-home testing kit. It was relatively painless, and I received my results within 10 days. Click here for 10% off your next Everlywell test.

TIP: If you plan to take a Food Sensitivity Test, I recommend that you review the list of foods that you will be tested for and include as many as possible in your diet within 28 days prior to taking the test. This will provide the best results because your body will produce the IgG antibodies that need to be measured. Most importantly, if you suspect that you may have a food allergy, avoid this food and call your doctor or an immunologist for a food allergy test.

The Results

In this particular test, there are four levels or “classes” of reactivity:

• Class 3 (High Reactivity)
• Class 2 (Moderate Reactivity)
• Class 1 (Mild Reactivity)
• Class 0 (Low Reactivity)

To view an example of my results, please click here.

What now?

When I first received my results, I thought, “I can’t eat anything!” However, after further research, the foods on the lower end of the Food Reactivity scale are not necessarily bad foods for your body. Similarly, if a food’s reactivity score is close to zero (in Class 0), it means it has close to zero reactivity or no reaction at all within your body. Even apples and lettuce show up as low reactivity on my results!

Next, pay attention to your body and how you feel after you eat a certain food. Do you feel bloated? Experience fatigue? Have a headache? These could be signs of a sensitivity. Consequently, make note of this and steer clear. If you feel squeamish of needles or would rather not spend the money on a Food Sensitivity Test, an Elimination Diet would be your next best option. There are SIX foods most commonly associated with food sensitives and inflammation in the small intestine. These include:

• Gluten
• Dairy
• Eggs
• Soy
• Corn
• Legumes (including peanuts)

Finally, eliminate these foods for a minimum of 60 days. It takes time for your body to heal and inflammation to decrease, so be patient! As you gradually reintroduce foods into your diet, write them down and take note of how your body feels after eating each food. If you continue to experience symptoms, please contact your doctor. An Adrenal Stress Index (ASI) test or Gastrointestinal Health Panel (GHP) may be required. Additionally, ask your doctor if an option exists to conduct the tests remotely.

Disclaimer: I’m by no means a doctor or medical professional! I am sharing my personal experiences in the hopes that others may find it helpful. Please share your own experiences in the comments below!