“We are what we eat.”

Most people who discover they have a food intolerance feel like they are about to descend into a life of food hell. No more takeaways, bread, pasta, wine, chocolate, breakfast cereals or your favourite pizza, a complete life of denial! But fear not, help is at hand. ...

So what can you eat? I’ll show you that there are many alternative foods to enjoy, where to find them as well as meal ideas.

There is no need to feel depressed and overwhelmed by your new dietary restrictions. As a fellow comrade I have issues with gluten, eggs and dairy. Habits can be changed and it’s not that hard really especially as this is becoming a global issue which means there are plenty of really good products popping up in the shops now. No more crumbly, brick like bread or pasta that disintegrates into a gluey mess .

So what is a food intolerance?

A food intolerance is the body’s response to specific food proteins, which can produce a wide range of unpleasant symptoms.

The onset of symptoms can be delayed for hours, or even days, making it difficult to identify foods.

A food intolerance can make a person feel extremely unwell, both physically and mentally, but is not usually life-threatening.

How does an intolerance occur?

This is the result of the digestive tract allowing undigested food to enter the bloodstream. The body’s immune system does not “recognise‟ this food and forms antibodies. Antibodies and immune complexes build up, which can trigger inflammation in various tissues. A weak digestive tract can be due to poor diet, stress, lifestyle, drugs or medications, alcohol consumption, parasites, pollution or digestive problems.

Less than 2% of the population suffers from a food allergy. However, up to 45% of the population is estimated to suffer from some form of food intolerance.