How To Discover And Overcome Dietary Restrictions And Allergies

Written By Lewis Robinson / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Many people have unique dietary needs and restrictions that have to be closely followed for the good of their health. You may have an allergy to a certain food that causes severe symptoms, or experience a little bit of discomfort if you indulge in something that you know doesn't agree with you.

If you suspect that you may have a sensitivity, then it's important that you identify what it is so that you can change your diet to feel better and protect your health. 

Get Tested

The first step to take is visiting your doctor for an allergy test. A blood test, or panel of small injections to test for skin reactions, can usually reveal a modern or severe allergy. The process may be slightly uncomfortable but is worth it to finally get some answers and relief.

Request testing for a wide range of possibilities to cover all of your bases. A gluten test is a good idea for anyone that experiences frequent stomach discomfort as this is a common sensitivity. 

If an allergy, or even several, is discovered, you will need to discuss treatment options with your doctor. Some allergy symptoms can be effectively treated with medication. Others can be reduced with regular injections. Sometimes you will need to avoid a certain food in the future to prevent your symptoms from recurring. If the allergy is severe, you may be prescribed an epi-pen to use in an emergency situation. 

Try an Elimination Diet

In the event that allergy testing doesn't give you the answer that you need, you can start to track your diet on your own and discover foods that don't agree with you. Make a log of what you eat and any symptoms you experience afterwards. 

When you notice that you frequently experience symptoms after eating a certain food, you can eliminate it for several weeks to see if you feel better. If you notice a positive change then remove this food from your diet in the future. Or, take action to heal an underlying issue like a leaky gut and then reintroduce the food in small amounts to see if you can tolerate it.

Plan Ahead

Having an allergy or a special dietary need means that you will have to be prepared for social events by planning ahead. Alert the host of your needs in advance when you are invited to dinner at the home of family or friends. You can offer to bring your own food or contribute a dish so they don't have to prepare a special meal for you.

A dinner out at a restaurant or taking part in an office potluck requires that you check menus and food labels, and find out the ingredients used in various dishes. Consider letting your work know about your dietary needs so anyone that brings in food can mark the dish so you know what is safe for you to eat.

Take Precautions

Proper precautions should be taken to try and prevent any reactions. Carry medication with you. Tell your friends, relatives and coworkers about your dietary needs and instruct them on any treatment practices they may need to know about. If you keep an epi-pen at work or at home, make sure the people around you know where it is located and how to use it in case of an emergency.

Stay Upbeat

A special dietary need or food allergy can be a challenge, but it doesn't have to restrict your life. Stay positive and upbeat. Remember that making a few changes in your food choices is something that you will get used to and that it will be well worth the effort when your mood and quality of life starts to increase.

If you notice that you're experiencing any symptoms that are uncomfortable after eating certain foods then you should take action to discover if you have a dietary allergy. It is entirely possible to adjust your routine to accommodate any restrictions that you have once you know what you are working with.

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Written By:

Lewis Robinson is a freelance writer and expert in health and fitness. When he isn’t writing he can usually be found reading a good book or hitting the gym.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

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