13/03/2026
🍎 Food Allergy vs Food Intolerance – What’s the Difference?
These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they actually mean very different things.
Food Allergy
A food allergy involves the immune system. The body mistakenly identifies a certain food as harmful and reacts to it.
Symptoms can appear quickly and may include:
• Hives or skin rash
• Swelling of the lips, face, or throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Severe reactions (anaphylaxis)
Even a very small amount of the food can trigger a reaction.
Food Intolerance
A food intolerance is not an immune response. Instead, it usually happens when the body struggles to digest certain foods.
Common symptoms may include:
• Bloating
• Stomach pain
• Gas
• Headaches
• Fatigue
Symptoms are usually less severe and may even take days to appear.
Understanding the difference can help people make better decisions about their health and testing options.
Have you ever wondered whether certain foods might be affecting how you feel?
Be sure to get in touch to find out more about how certain foods might be affecting how you feel.
Call on 07437560833
[email protected]
