As the key factors which cause food intolerance are not yet known, prevention of the condition is still very much a guessing game. However there are a few simple points, based on what we know and have observed about food intolerance so far, that may help prevent the condition from developing, or developing further.

Eat a varied diet
The foods we eat most often are prime candidates for food intolerance. In the U.K. these usually always include wheat and dairy products amongst many others. Many of us eat wheat and dairy at every meal, every day. This in turn creates a kind of ‘overload effect’ on our bodies which, in susceptible individuals, can lead to food intolerance.

Take time to read the labels on the foods you eat most often and see what’s really in them. If you notice the same food or ingredient popping up again and again try and avoid eating it so regularly and use it as an excuse to broaden your culinary horizons as there are plenty of interesting food alternatives out there.

Avoid pie eating contests
Even if you don’t usually attend pie eating contests it’s worth knowing that eating very large quantities of the same food can create the ‘overload effect’. We all know how easy it is to finish the entire family size box of chocolates all to ourselves and then have to deal with feeling sick afterwards. As much as we think we want something, sometimes our body tells us otherwise.

If susceptible individuals eat too large a quantity of one particular food this could potentially trigger food intolerance, so next time you’re tempted to eat the entire box of chocolates – think again! 

Go easy on Tea & Coffee
You may be aware that tea and coffee contain caffeine. Perhaps you know someone who is said to be addicted to caffeine (it’s usually the jittery person at work who can’t sit still and gets a lot of headaches). While caffeine addiction is perhaps taken light-heartedly by some, the affects of caffeine on the body are quite serious.

Though there is no specific link between caffeine and food intolerance, the affect caffeine has on the body will undoubtedly add insult to injury where food intolerance is concerned. As well as causing headaches, migraines, tremors and mood swings (to name but a few), caffeine can irritate the lining of the stomach which in turn can cause some of the problems associated with food intolerance.

Caffeine is found in tea and coffee, but also in coca-cola products and chocolate. If you’re a big fan of the traditional British brew try one of the many decaffeinated teas which are now available or perhaps try one of the thousands of herbal teas, most of which are naturally caffeine free.
And for the coffee drinkers amongst you, try one of the many decaffeinated brands available in most supermarkets….and if you’re feeling really adventurous….why not give Dandelion Coffee a whirl .

BEWARE of ASPIRIN
Aspirin is a very well known pain killer and for many people is the first drug they take when pain relief is needed. It belongs to a family of drugs known as Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs or NSAIDS. These drugs are primarily used to treat mild to moderate pain and inflammation. While aspirin is a very effective painkiller, it, along with other drugs from the same family, can have numerous side-effects. NSAIDS increase the permeability of the gut wall which means that larger molecules, including food molecules, can pass through the gut and into the blood stream which is bad news for anyone who either has or is likely to have a food intolerance.

Another common NSAID is: Ibuprofen (and any drugs ending ‘…ofen’). Always read the label and ask your Doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.

In some people with food intolerance the side effects experienced from taking such drugs are greatly exaggerated because of the poor condition of their gut wall. These side effects can include severe nausea and vomiting, headaches, diarrhoea, constipation, fever, and skin rashes amongst many others. In more severe cases, and usually after prolonged use, NSAIDS can cause liver failure, kidney failure, stomach ulceration and internal bleeding. There is also a high incidence of allergic reaction to NSAIDS.

Due to the effect these drugs have on the body it is advisable to be extremely cautious when using them, especially if you have concerns about food intolerance.

Always consult your Doctor or Pharmacist before taking any drug.

Trust your gut instinct
Today’s modern medicine is very much geared towards treating the symptoms of illness without truly understanding the cause. This approach may offer short-term solutions to health problems but if the root cause is never found the problem will only persist and get worse.

Food intolerance doesn’t begin over night. The symptoms of the condition slowly begin to surface and get progressively worse over time. In almost every case the body gives the sufferer subtle warning signs that something is wrong. The difficulty here is being able to spot these warning signs without dismissing them as trivial or insignificant.

If you suffer from migraines, headaches, frequent diarrhoea or constipation and find yourself drinking indigestion remedies by the pint then chances are you have a food intolerance and your body is doing its best to tell you. The very worst thing you can do is ignore these signs. One food intolerance in its early stages is far easier to treat than the more complex multiple food intolerances which can develop if the condition is ignored.