Most people are unaware that a number of foods that we consume every day may contain high levels of naturally occurring food chemicals.

What if your 5 and 2 intake of vegetables and fruits are making you ill?

Many of these natural food chemicals can actually be found in healthy food options, so whilst you may think that you are making a good choice, you might actually be causing yourself more harm than good.

What symptoms might intolerance to food chemicals cause?

For those people that are sensitive, especially children, an intolerance or low threshold to these chemicals may cause reactions such as:

• Eczema and other skin conditions such as rashes
• Asthma or wheezing
• Behavioural problems such as ADHD, aggression, volatile outbursts, irritability, hyperactivity, OCD tendencies, tearfulness or inappropriate laughter
• Pale face and dark circles under the eyes
• Red cheeks or ears
• Bedwetting
• Reflux or colic
• Mood disorders such as depression
• Digestive disturbances such as constipation, diarrhoea, stomach cramps and IBS
• Rapid heartbeat
• Migraines or headaches
• Frequent colds, flu and ear infections
• Night waking, insomnia, night sweats
• Self-injurious behaviour

So what are these food chemicals?

• Salicylates are a group of phenol chemicals found in most fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. The more flavourful a food product, often the higher salicylates it contains. Can be found in fresh, processed and dried foods
• Amines are a group of chemicals formed by the breakdown of proteins. Often best known as migraine triggers, these compounds can be found in meats, cheese, wine, bananas, chocolate and fermented foods
• Glutamates are a well-known flavour enhancer found in MSG, but also naturally occur tomatoes, parmesan, mushrooms, wine, dried fruit, broccoli, spinach and green peas

What can be done if you have an intolerance to these compounds?

• A strict elimination diet to reduce symptoms
• Slow and controlled challenge of each food group to determine reactivity and threshold levels
• Work on repair of a leaky gut
• Improve natural detox and enzyme pathways in the body to raise tolerance levels

Seeing a nutritionist like Karen Ball can help you discover your food intolerances and thresholds, and help reduce symptoms so that you can enjoy a wide, varied and nutrient dense diet.    

Get great Nutritional Advice from Karen Ball