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When Food Starts Triggering Symptoms You Can’t Explain
Food sensitivities often show up quietly and unpredictably. Symptoms may affect digestion, energy, mood, skin, or sleep, and they often appear hours or even days after eating. Because reactions are delayed, it can be difficult to connect symptoms to specific foods on your own.
This does not mean your body is “overreacting.” It means something isn’t being tolerated well and needs support.
What Are Food Sensitivities?
Food sensitivities are delayed reactions that occur when the body struggles to process certain foods. Unlike food allergies, which cause immediate immune reactions, sensitivities tend to build over time and create low-grade inflammation.
They may involve immune pathways such as IgG responses, digestive enzyme insufficiency, or gut barrier dysfunction. Because multiple systems can be involved, symptoms often feel widespread rather than isolated to digestion.
Food Sensitivities vs Food Allergies
Food sensitivities and food allergies are not the same.
Food allergies involve immediate immune reactions and can be dangerous. Food sensitivities are delayed, are not life-threatening, and often improve when the underlying drivers are addressed.Understanding the difference helps ensure the right type of care.
How Food Sensitivities Commonly Show Up
Food sensitivities rarely affect just one system. You may notice a combination of symptoms, including:
Bloating, gas, or inconsistent digestion
Fatigue or brain fog, especially after meals
Headaches or migraines
Joint discomfort or generalized inflammation
Skin concerns such as acne, eczema, or hives
Mood changes, anxiety, or irritability
Congestion or sinus symptoms
Poor sleep or feeling unrested
How Do Food Sensitivities Develop?
Food sensitivities rarely have a single cause. They tend to develop when digestion, gut integrity, or immune regulation becomes strained over time. Contributing factors may include:
Increased intestinal permeability
Imbalances in the gut microbiome
Digestive enzyme insufficiency
Repeated exposure to inflammatory or processed foods
Hormonal shifts or chronic stress
Environmental exposures such as mold or toxins
Previous infections or unresolved gut inflammatio
Ready to Feel More at Ease With Eating?
Appointments create space to review symptoms, food patterns, and next steps with guidance and support.
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Flora Naturopathics Identifies What’s Driving Reactivity
We focus on identifying patterns behind food reactions and understanding what your body needs to restore tolerance. This often begins with guided elimination and structured reintroduction so that reactions can be observed in a meaningful way.
When helpful, targeted testing may be used to add clarity. This can include food sensitivity panels, stool testing to assess digestion and microbial balance, or nutrient testing when deficiencies may be contributing. These tools allow the next steps to be intentional rather than restrictive.
How We Support Long-Term Tolerance
The goal is not permanent avoidance. The goal is helping your body tolerate food more comfortably again.
Care may include nutrition strategies that reduce inflammation and support the gut lining, digestive support when breakdown or absorption is impaired, microbial balancing when gut imbalance is part of the picture, and nervous system support when stress is affecting digestion.
As the body stabilizes, foods are often reintroduced gradually so eating can feel flexible rather than restrictive.
What Our Patients Say
Flora Naturopathics
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Your Symptoms Are Signals. Let's Turn Them Into A Plan.
88% of Flora patients say their first visit alone brought clarity and relief, and most feel markedly better within 60 days. Start by booking your first telehealth visit - you don’t have to figure this out alone.
