Food intolerances

Many people cut out food unnecessarily. We find out what you actually react to — and what you can safely eat again.

In short

What is food intolerance?

Food intolerance means the body struggles to handle certain food components — like lactose, fructose or histamine.

Unlike food allergy, the immune system isn't involved, and reactions are rarely dangerous.

A proper investigation brings clarity — and prevents an unnecessarily restrictive diet.

Everyday life and meals with food intolerances

Does this sound familiar?

This might sound like your situation

Food intolerance often causes stomach problems, bloating, diarrhoea or headaches — but reactions come later and are less dramatic than with allergy.

You react to food but don't know to what
You've taken online tests without becoming any wiser
The list of foods you avoid keeps growing
Your family adapts to your restrictions
You want to find out what you can actually tolerate, and in what amounts

SmartEating recommends

What makes the biggest difference?

For food intolerance, a clear method matters more than any single food to avoid.

Structured symptom diary
Recording food and reactions over time reveals patterns that guesswork misses.
Ruling out other causes
IBS, coeliac disease and other conditions should be considered before blaming one food.
Guided elimination and reintroduction
Removing and reintroducing one item at a time gives reliable answers.
Avoiding unproven tests
IgG and similar commercial tests are not a reliable way to identify intolerances.
Keeping the diet as broad as possible
The aim is to find real limits, not to exclude food out of caution.

When should you contact a doctor?

Investigation should start with your GP to rule out other disease.

Unexplained weight loss or blood in the stool
Severe, acute reactions (suspected allergy)
Long-lasting symptoms with no known cause
Children with suspected intolerance
Use of expensive tests without a scientific basis

A dietitian can carry out structured dietary trials — we don't use IgG tests.

Common questions

What people ask us most often.

Do IgG tests work?

No. They aren't recommended by the professional community. We use elimination and reintroduction methodology.

Personal nutrition

No one with food intolerances is exactly the same

Age, everyday life, activity level, other conditions and what you actually enjoy eating determine what works for you.

That's why two people in the same situation need different advice. SmartEating AI learns your situation over time and tailors suggestions to your body, goals and everyday life.