Hives. Headaches. Tummy aches. If your child is experiencing any of these symptoms in varying degrees of intensity after eating certain foods, it’s possible he or she has food intolerance.
In cases of food intolerance, uncomfortable reactions to food are triggered in people with a sensitive constitution. The triggers include natural food chemicals, such as salicylates, amines and glutamate, which irritate nerve endings in different parts of the body. Additive colours, flavours and preservatives may also cause uncomfortable reactions.
Food intolerance is different to food allergy, in which the body’s immune system reacts to food proteins such as those found in egg, milk and peanut. (See my related story on food allergy for more information).
Food intolerance can manifest at any age, says accredited practicing dietitian and author Joan Breakey. “The baby may be colicky and difficult to settle; the toddler may have major tantrums or be restless; the school age child may have behavioural problems such as mood, sleep and impulsivity problems,” she says.
Food intolerance is difficult to diagnose. We spend much of our waking time eating or drinking, and reactions can take any amount of time to emerge. This is why an elimination diet is considered a good form of diagnosis and treatment.
Breakey cites three general types of food intolerance reactions:
Children can react to food for various reasons, including psychological factors or simply feeling unwell after eating a spicy or fatty meal. But the three main naturally occurring food chemical groups known to cause discomfort in sensitive individuals are:
If you think your child has a food intolerance, your healthcare practitioner and dietitian may prescribe a temporary elimination diet to determine the cause. However, elimination diets should only be undertaken for a short term in children. “It’s important to work with an experienced dietitian so you can get the food exclusions right while ensuring you’re adequately nourished,” says Breakey.
References available on request