Dietitian for Food Allergies and Intolerances

Our dietitians and nutritionists can provide you with the support and advice you need to enjoy your meals without worrying about the symptoms of food allergies or intolerances.

Food Allergies and Intolerances - Allergies et intolérances alimentaires

Allergies related to common foods are on the rise, and reactions and intolerances can be very severe. Less well known are the impacts of undiagnosed food triggers on overall health. Many people may be unnecessarily living with allergies and intolerances and missing out on their best quality of life as a result. 

What Are Food Allergies and Intolerances?

There is a spectrum when it comes to food allergies. The most severe allergic reactions can be life-threatening; others may lead to mild discomfort like a headache or rash (e.g., dermatitis herpetiformis). Food intolerances tend to target the digestive system. Among the most well-known food intolerances are gluten sensitivity and lactose intolerance. They can make you feel unwell but are not usually serious.

Chronic conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease and Crohn's disease may also cause food intolerances and sensitivities. The good news is that most symptoms can be controlled or completely eliminated by following a strategically balanced diet. 

Common food allergens

  • Milk and dairy
  • Eggs
  • Mustard
  • Peanuts
  • Fish and shellfish such as lobster and shrimps
  • Sesame seeds
  • Soy products
  • Sulphites
  • Tree nuts such as almonds and pistachios
  • Wheat and triticale (gluten)

What Are the Benefits of Working With a Registered Dietitian?

Nutrition counselling with a registered dietitian can help mitigate the impact of food allergies and intolerances while continuing to eat a wide variety of foods. A dietitian can help you identify problem foods and devise a personalized meal plan that works for your body. Knowing which foods to avoid and how to incorporate healthy alternatives can go a long way to eliminating discomfort and the potential for developing chronic conditions.

For example, if you have non-celiac gluten/wheat sensitivity or celiac disease, your nutrition expert will help you find alternatives to everyday foods like gluten-free bread and gluten-free grains. You will receive tips on reading nutrition labels to help you feel more confident about purchasing prepared or processed foods and avoid gluten-containing food. You will also have access to an inventory of healthy gluten-free recipes approved by our dietitians.

A dietitian can also counsel about certain food combinations that may be problematic. Food intolerances can be complex to treat but the expertise that an experienced nutritionist brings to the table can help demystify allergies and triggers. 

Symptoms That Diet Management May Reduce or Eliminate

Food allergies and intolerances manifest differently from individual to individual. That's why personalized counselling can be so important. People sometimes put up with mild symptoms, assuming that they are part of the aging process or an expected consequence of a stressful lifestyle. But no one needs to suffer from the wide range of symptoms that food allergies and intolerances can cause.

Some of the most common include: 

  • bloating 
  • inflammation
  • insomnia
  • respiratory ailments
  • gut pain
  • constipation or diarrhea
  • weight loss or gain
  • anxiety
  • vertigo

Take Charge of Your Well-being

Learning about how something as simple as eliminating gluten or dairy from your diet, or balancing your diet to avoid nutrient deficiencies, can impact the quality of your life enormously. And working with a knowledgeable dietitian using evidence-based science to unravel the mysteries of gut health, probiotics, allergens and immune response could change your life completely. Health is wealth as they say, and a goal well worth chasing.

If you're looking for support for managing your food allergies or intolerance, our team of registered dietitians and nutritionists can help. We'll develop a personalized plan to help you avoid triggers, reduce your symptoms and improve your overall health. Get in touch with our nutrition team today to book an appointment online or in person.