Food Allergies and Food Intolerances
Why understanding the difference matters - my thoughts
Food can affect our bodies, emotions and everyday lives in deeply individual ways. In this resource, I explore why understanding the difference matters - my thoughts with compassion, curiosity and respect for the person behind the symptoms.
Over the years, I've lost count of how many conversations I've had with people who tell me they think they have a food allergy, only to discover that what they're experiencing may actually be a food intolerance.
The two terms are often used interchangeably, and it's completely understandable why. Both involve food, both can make us feel unwell and both can have a significant impact on everyday life. However, they are not the same, and understanding the difference is incredibly important.
Having lived with ARFID since I was nine years old and later discovering I was autistic and ADHD, food has always been far more than nutrition for me. It's been connected to sensory experiences, anxiety, predictability and feeling safe.
As I became older, I started noticing that certain foods affected me in ways I couldn't explain. Sometimes I felt exhausted, sometimes mentally foggy, sometimes my digestive system seemed to react for no obvious reason.
That curiosity led me to learn more about food intolerances, allergies and how differently every body responds to food.
As both a psychotherapist and someone with lived experience, I've also noticed how many people spend years believing that feeling uncomfortable after eating is simply something they have to live with.
The aim is not to create fear around food or encourage unnecessary restriction. It is to help people notice patterns, understand the difference between allergy and intolerance, and make informed decisions with appropriate support.
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Testing should be considered alongside symptoms, clinical history and appropriate professional advice. A food allergy can be serious: suspected immediate allergy symptoms require medical assessment. IgG food-reactivity testing is different from diagnostic IgE allergy testing and remains debated, so results should not be used alone to diagnose illness or begin a highly restrictive diet.
By Maggie Learoyd
Psychotherapist | ADHD, Autism & ARFID Specialist
Founder of Space to Breathe Therapy
