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For many people, creating a menu isn’t as simple as going with whatever they like to eat. People who have food allergies, sensitivities, or intolerances have to avoid foods and food products that many people take for granted.

 Food allergies are caused by an overreaction of the immune system toward a food or drink. Allergic reactions tend to show up almost immediately, from a rash or watery eyes to a more serious anaphylactic reaction that could be fatal.

 Food sensitivities appear in the form of a more delayed, sometimes chronic onset of symptoms, such as fatigue or even nasal congestion days after consumption. Food sensitivities are often caused by nutrient deficiencies or eating or drinking the food too often.

 Food intolerance is an adverse reaction to a food because something necessary for digestion is missing. For example, if your body is missing lactase, the enzyme needed to break down lactose, you’re likely intolerant of milk and dairy products.

It can sometimes be difficult to distinguish between a hypersensitivity and an allergy to a food, as seen in Figure 2-1. Many of the same symptoms may appear with both hypersensitivity and allergies, but the chronic effects may differ. Consult a health care professional to determine if you have food allergies, sensitivities, or intolerances.

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FIGURE 2-1: How food can be toxic to your body.

In this section, we take a look at various allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances; note some foods that commonly cause problems; and discuss how those food reactions can lead to chronic inflammation.