Many people confuse food allergies and intolerances because they appear to be very similar at first glance. In fact, researchers surveying a group of adults across the country found that 19% of their subjects claimed to have a food allergy, even though only 10% of these people had a true, diagnosed, food allergy. The other 9% who believed they had a food allergy were actually experiencing a food intolerance. Food intolerances and food allergies are not the same. While food allergies can be a life threatening condition, food intolerances are not. Both food allergies and food intolerances come with their own sets of challenges, but it is important to understand the difference.
| Food Allergies | Food Intolerances |
|---|---|
| Related to the immune system | Related to the digestive system |
| Can be life threatening | Non life threatening |
| Even trace amounts of food can cause a reaction | Small amounts of food may be tolerated, and regular amounts can sometimes be consumed with the help of medication |
| Common food triggers (allergens) include peanuts, tree nuts, dairy, eggs, wheat, soy, shellfish, fish, and sesame | Common food triggers include lactose, gluten, casein, fructose, food additives, and more |
| Symptoms occur quickly after the food is consumed | Symptoms can occur hours after eating |
| Symptoms include trouble breathing, itching, rash or hives, stomach pain, and difficulty swallowing | Symptoms include gas/bloating, stomach pain, heartburn, vomiting, diarrhea, and headaches |
| Food allergies can be confirmed with certain medical tests such as blood testing and skin testing | Food intolerances are difficult to identify and confirm |
Both food allergies and food intolerances are valid, medically necessary, dietary needs that require special diets in order to stay healthy, but they have many differences. In all, it is important to recognize and understand the differences between food allergies and food intolerances in order to best accommodate a person with either one.
Article sources:
https://www.medicinenet.com/what_are_the_most_common_food_intolerances/article.htm
https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/food-allergy-sensitivity-difference#food-sensitivities
https://www.livescience.com/64423-food-allergies-overestimated.html
Food Allergy Allies 