This year, Food Allergy Awareness Week takes place from May 11th to May 17th to raise overall awareness about food allergies. By raising awareness, promoting education, and encouraging safe practices, individuals living with allergies can be provided with valuable information and support.
Food allergies can be tricky. There is no specific age at which they develop. Sometimes, the same food you have been eating for years can grow into a food allergy after being triggered by certain ingredients contained in that specific food. This is why I think keeping a food journal is a great tool. Tracking your daily food intake helps you understand its value and your overall relationship with food. You will also learn to pay attention to the physical signals your body is sending throughout the day.
1. Differentiate between a food allergy and an intolerance.
Some food allergies can develop in childhood, and you may be aware of them, allowing you to avoid the foods that cause them. However, you may not realize you have other food allergies until you try a new food.
If you experience immediate symptoms, such as an upset stomach, digestive issues, or a rash, after consuming a specific food, you may have an allergy to that food. In this case, it would be best for you to follow up with your doctor to confirm the diagnosis.
On the other hand, if you experience discomfort after eating a food but the symptoms are not immediate, you likely have a food intolerance. In this case, the digestive system has difficulty breaking down certain kinds of food.
The body responds with uncomfortable and painful sensations, but the immune system is not involved. Not everyone is aware of all the symptoms. The most common symptoms are headaches, trouble sleeping, fatigue, sluggishness, irritability, crankiness, and even ringing in the ears.
2. Get a better understanding of food cravings.
Food cravings are common and can have several underlying reasons. It could be due to a deficiency in the body, a response to a stressful day, or emotional distress. Identifying the specific cravings, the times when they occur, and how you feel can provide a better understanding of what may be causing those cravings.
For instance, if you crave cookies or crunchy salted chips after an upsetting event, it can mean an emotional trigger is causing the cravings instead of a specific deficiency.
3. Identify the high and low-energy foods.
You can track your mood after each meal to determine which foods give you energy and which make you sleepy. Balancing the right amounts of protein, fat, and carbohydrates in each meal is crucial for maintaining consistent energy levels throughout the day.
Consuming the wrong food combinations can deplete your energy and cause a sudden crash in the mid-morning or mid-afternoon. This may also raise your sugar levels, resulting in an energy slump.
4. Identify which foods or events may be contributing to your bloating.
Bloating can have many causes, ranging from eating too quickly and food intolerance to being a symptom of other gastrointestinal issues. This is why keeping track of your food intake is crucial. If bloating persists, consult your doctor to explore potential causes.
5. Zoom in on the big picture.
Over the course of a few weeks, you will begin to notice recurring patterns in your eating habits and how they affect your body. This can help you become more aware of your hunger levels before each meal and how your diet may impact your sleep.
Understanding your eating habits can help you make more informed choices about what and when to eat. If you would rather use an app, that’s fine. Otherwise, you can look for a small journal and carry it with you. You may be surprised by what you discover