Thinking About Food Intolerance Testing? Here’s What to Know First
I’ve been meaning to write a newsletter for a bit and couldn’t decide what to focus on. Lately, one question I keep hearing in clinic is: “Do I need to do a food intolerance test?” So I thought, why not start there.
It feels like this has been coming up from all directions lately—women figuring out perimenopause, men finally tired of ignoring their gut issues, and so many mums just trying to get to the bottom of their children’s skin and tummy troubles.
And I love a test—especially when it helps take the guesswork out—but I don’t always recommend testing straight away. In fact, I often suggest something different to what you may initially think you need.
The truth is, a lot of us deal with food intolerances, and what we can tolerate changes as our bodies and health do. I’ve noticed it myself—I used to drink milk without a second thought, but now there’s only so much I can handle. Those symptoms can really knock your confidence. You shouldn’t have to worry about your gut when you’re making plans—or be rushing to the loo after a latte or feeling bloated after a bowl of granola.
So if you’ve got a feeling certain foods aren’t suiting you, here’s what I always think about before suggesting you spend money on testing—and, just as importantly, before we start blaming the food itself!
Here’s what to think about first:
1. Are you eating mindfully?
I know you’ve heard it before, but it really does matter. Your gut can’t do its job properly if you're eating in a rush. Chewing is step one of digestion—and your teeth are in your mouth, not your stomach! If you don’t chew properly, or if you’re eating in front of a screen between meetings, your stomach doesn’t get the signal to start producing enough acid, bile or enzymes.
The result? Poorly digested food hits the gut, ferments—and that equals gas, bloating, and discomfort.
2. Are you stressed when you eat?
When you’re stressed, your body’s not prioritising digestion—it’s focused on just getting you through. A few deep breaths before you eat can really help switch things back into ‘rest and digest’ mode. And if you’ve taken the time to make a proper meal, you want your body to actually take it in.
3. Have your hormones changed?
So many clients tell me they suddenly can’t handle foods they used to eat without a second thought—fatty foods are a big one. As we get older or life gets busier, our bodies can slow down the production of things like stomach acid and bile, which we need to break food down properly. But the good news is, this doesn’t have to be your new normal—we just need to support your digestion a bit differently.
4. Could histamine be playing a role?
Some people know they have histamine issues, but for others, it’s a hidden trigger. Histamine is a natural chemical that we need, but too much of it—or trouble breaking it down—can wreak havoc on the digestive system.
5. What’s going on with your gut health?
When I see one of those really busy intolerance tests—the kind that makes you panic and think, "I can’t eat anything"—I always take a step back and look at what’s going on in the gut itself. This comes up a lot in clinic. Often, when we work on healing the gut lining and supporting digestion, people can tolerate far more than they expected.
That’s one of the big reasons I don’t always rush into testing. We might come back to it later, or I’ll look at the results—but always in context. For example, if you have a history of gut issues and we know your gut lining needs some TLC, I’d actually expect lots of positives to show up on a food intolerance test. That’s just the gut flagging up it’s overwhelmed, not necessarily a long list of foods that need to be avoided forever.
When your gut lining is compromised—what people often call ‘leaky gut’—bits of food that shouldn’t cross into the bloodstream can slip through, setting off reactions and inflammation. My aim is always to get people enjoying food again and eating a wide variety. Sometimes a bit of restriction is useful short-term, but it’s never the end goal.
This is Steph's story:
"Since 2005 when I had my gall bladder removed I have struggled with digestion. The GP tried to ‘help’ by giving me medication to take but over the years I just became more sluggish, intolerant to food and started to get anxiety around eating especially when I wasn’t sure how my body would react. The information, advice and support Tasha has given me is amazing and has now I am able to eat certain foods I’ve not been able to for years, my attitude to food has completely changed and best of all I’m living my daily life like anyone should - pain free!"
When Testing Might be the Right Move:
• Symptoms haven’t improved despite changes
• You're eliminating more and more foods but still feel unwell
Testing can be helpful—but only when it’s the right test, at the right time.
Happy Eating,
Tasha
