Food allergies... do you have any? What does it feel like after eating the food?

[RosieC]

I have a lactose (milk sugar) intolerance. I can eat some of the low lactose dairy products like aged cheese, cream, butter and pure live yogurt. They are often not 100% lactose free so I might get mild symptoms like nasal congestion from them, or coughing. If I have milk I also get digestive symptoms either wind or worse if there was a lot of milk. If I have milk several days in a row I develop a headache that won't go away. It also seems to contribute to eczema for me.

Actual allergies are like Sham said with her son's mango allergy, or Liv's nut allergy, the symptoms are very obvious and immediate. Intolerances are usually more subtle.

[mizski]

Originally Posted by liv

have you read any Mary Enig/sally Fallon? anyways that sounds just like my sugar spike feeling. Coconut cream would probably work as it is so fatty. Still healthy though.

No haven't read them. I was really surprised because I have coconut milk, coconut cream, coconut oil with no problems. I was so disappointed in my reaction though as the 100% coconut water had lots of electrolytes and potassium...it sounded like a good thing to have a bit of after exercising. Umm...no.

[LC_Diva]

I have a lactose intolerance, primarily milk. I get horrible stomach cramps and some other nasty bathroom issues.

I drank milk all my life and just developed it this year.

[Aways2Go]

I have shellfish allergies - not intolerance, actual allergic reaction. If I handle it, my hands turn red, raw, get itchy welts and/or break out. If I eat a tiny bit by accident (I'm talking as little as say, half a teaspoon), my mouth will start itching within a minute or two, sometimes before I even swallow. If I actually swallow it, I might get large welts/hives. If I am around the smoke from shellfish being cooked, my lungs will expand and not go down and cause me to not be able to breathe well after several minutes other than very rapid shallow breathing. Have had to go to the hospital over the smoke inhalation once to get breathing treatment. I don't have asthma, but I imagine it is somewhat akin to a severe asthma attack. I just can't breathe - sort of like drowning but in open air so there is no escape.

If you have actual food allergies, they are nothing to play around with. Your reaction is not always predictable. Maybe you might get only hives or itching sometimes, but the next time you may suffocate on your way to the hospital.

As far as the less obvious symptoms of food intolerance, I notice a stall in weight loss or stomach distress over some items if I eat more than a very small amount (WAY less than a serving).

[Earth_Joy]

I have always had difficulty losing weight, had a constant clearing of the throat, and was always congested.

Two Years ago...My doctor suggested I go get allergy tested. I did the entire thing got poked a gazzillion times in both arms and found I am allergic to everything in the environment except 3 grasses. LOL, take a sudafed and I am good to go.

Then, they gave me a blood test and found I have food allergies to Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Soy (legumes) and Strawberries. I was 36 at the time and when I told my mom she started to cry. She said I was always the kid with the sensitive stomach and year round nasaly allergies.

After I was diagnosed, I went to a dietician and she said I didn't have allergies...I had intolerances and to go ahead and eat the above foods, but in smaller quanties. So, I did this for the past two years. I did exactly what the lady said and followed her diet plan to the T. I Didn't lose an ounce, I actually gained weight. I became more stuffed up, bloated, frustrated and a real "charm" to be around.

Went back to my doc this past Oct and he said... Are you done fooling yourself that you have food intolerances? He said, you have Food allergies, you eat and it affects your airways and your gut. He also said, you are trying to get pregnant and it hasn't happened, yet... your food allergies could have a big part of why you are not prego because your body is fighting the foods you are eating. Also, he said if I do get pregnant and I eat all my allergy foods, my child will have a 75% chance of having the same food allergies.

Sooo, I went on my month of denial and saying good-bye to the foods I grew up on and did some serious soul searching, what I came up with is the Atkins WOE...okay, okay, my doc also suggested this type of eating plan.

I always new of Aktins and was glad to find this site of people Serious about Atkins and this WOE.

I have been Food Allergy-Free for 4 days now and I feel pretty good. I am not congested, my snoring has calmed to a dull roar (I'm sure when more weight comes off it will diminish), my energy level is slowly getting higher and higher.

Thanks ADBB!!! (sorry, for such a long post).