Food Intolerances: What’s Really Going On

Navigating food intolerances can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re suddenly told to cut out foods that have always been a staple in your life. Most approaches out there chase symptoms: eliminate the food, take a supplement, hope for relief.

But a food intolerance isn’t the real problem. It’s a signal. Your body is waving a big red flag saying, “Something deeper needs attention here.” And more often than not, that “something” is your digestive health.

Whole Foods Are Not the Enemy

A common story I hear is:

“I’ve eaten [insert food] all my life, and now suddenly I can’t tolerate it.”

It’s frustrating. But your favourite foods aren’t the real culprit. Sure, you might need to reduce them temporarily while healing, but they’re not the root cause. The real issue lies in how well your digestive system is functioning.

When digestion is strong, whole foods aren’t the problem. When it’s struggling, food is just the messenger.

Food Intolerance = Symptom, Not a Diagnosis

Food intolerances are a symptom. They’re not a diagnosis. They’re your body’s way of saying that something isn’t working as it should.

If you only remove the food, you’re missing the bigger picture. And the longer you go down the path of restriction, the higher the risk of developing even more intolerances.

So What Can You Do Instead?

Instead of playing a never-ending game of chasing your tail with symptoms, focus on strengthening digestion and addressing the root cause. Here are some starting points:

1. Support your stomach acid.
   Chew your food properly, take a moment to breathe before eating, and avoid washing meals down with lots of water. This sets up digestion right from the start.

2. Add in meat stock.
   Not broth, but proper meat stock made from slow-cooked joints, wings, or drumsticks. It’s soothing, healing, and provides key nutrients your gut needs to repair.

3. Bring in probiotic foods slowly.
   Start with just a teaspoon of fermented veggie juice or 24-hour yoghurt. Don’t rush it. These introduce beneficial bacteria without overwhelming your system.

4. Use whole, nourishing fats.
   Include ghee, butter, olive oil, and tallow. These support bile flow and help repair the digestive lining.

5. Work with a practitioner.
   Food intolerances are a signal, not the whole story. Having someone guide you through the process of restoring gut function can save you from years of unnecessary restriction and confusion.

6. Pay attention to how food makes you feel.
   Keep a simple food and symptom diary. Instead of searching for “bad foods,” look for patterns that show you how your gut is coping day to day.

Food intolerances are your body’s way of saying, “Look deeper.” They’re not the enemy. The goal isn’t to live on a restricted list forever, it’s to heal your digestion so you can bring those foods back and enjoy them again.

That’s the approach we take with our clients—no unnecessary testing, no endless restriction, just real strategies to restore function and freedom around food.