I’m going on my second year of severe food allergies, so I’ve learned quite a bit about toxic foods that cause a boat load of health problems. You don’t have to be allergic to ingredients to have sensitivity to certain foods. The industry has become such a toxicity that we need to be more mindful of what we’re putting into our bodies.

• Gluten– a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and other grains. It’s a binding agent that holds food together and gives it structure and chewiness. Gluten is also added to processed foods for flavor, texture, and protein. This was the top food ingredient to avoid in my health journey because WHEAT was in everything and all I ate was bread.
• Soy– Lycine max comes from soybeans. This is on the allergen list and many people don’t even know they are allergic. It’s another one that’s in every food for the most part. Look at the back of the package. Also, soy products may have gluten in them without the package saying it…for me I just avoid altogether.
• Sesame- new to the allergen list these cracker and bread favorite toppings can be doing damage to your gut.

Signs and Symptoms You May Have A Food Allergy

• Hives, rash, red skin
• Itching
• Swelling in the lips, tongue, mouth, throat, or around the eyes
• Wheezing or shortness of breath, tightening throat feeling
• Nausea or vomiting
• Abdominal pain or discomfort
• Diarrhea
• Dizziness
• Runny nose
• Red or watery eyes

It can be hard for some people to spot a food allergy and that’s what happened to me. I went years without understanding what was happening to my body until I had anxiety and panic attacks. Well, that’s what I thought they were but it was an allergic reaction to the food toxin build up in my system.

Sesame is the ninth major food allergen in the United States. It must be labeled in plain language on packaged foods. However, some foods may not have allergen labeling for sesame if they were already in interstate commerce before 2023. You should read all labels and check with the manufacturer if you’re not sure. (via)

Foods To Avoid If You Are Allergic, Sensitive Or Feeling Blah

Like I said before, even if your blood test doesn’t show up that you are allergic, your body may still be having a reaction. Pay attention to what you’re eating and when. I good food log is crucial. Not only can it save a life but help restore your gut health overtime.

• Eggs, egg whites– Oddly my blood test said I was allergic to egg whites. I must have read it wrong and thought I was unable to eat regular eggs with yolks and come to find out it was the opposite. I do not get hyper allergies after eating eggs. It’s the brand that affects me. Choose cage free, organic for best results whether you have an allergy or not because eating a low grade brand can hurt your stomach.
• Peanuts/Nuts– high on the allergen list is nuts. Peanuts and peanut butter were my go to to curb that afternoon appetite but after time my body just became really sick from the butter. Nausea played a huge role in my own personal experience. I’d get really sick, go outside and want to immediately go back in and lay down. The stomach upset, pain and inflammation almost took my life. Such a scary time. Be mindful. Nuts are not good for many people. Not only that, they become addictive and diverticulitis can happen.

Processed foods refer to any food that’s changed from its natural state. This can include food that was simply cut, washed, heated, pasteurized, canned, cooked, frozen, dried, dehydrated, mixed, or packaged. It also can include food that has added preservatives, nutrients, flavors, salts, sugars, or fats. (via)

Foods To Avoid For A Healthier Gut

• Pepperoni, Hot Dogs- contains BHA and BHT, sodium nitrate, and these can cause bacteria in the gut, colon cancer, other health problems…
• Romaine Lettuce, Spinach- some people think these are healthier options but they can tear the lining of your gut. Pay attention after you eat these fresh produce selections and see how your body reacts. Eat, wait a few hours and see if you’re having an upset stomach.
• Oils- I learned this really quick when I was making my coffee. The oils in every creamer bottle was making me sick. So very ill that I had to do research and found out that COFFEE CREAMER was one of the most toxic products on the shelf. Even the ones that claim to be healthier versions have some type of oil in it. Avoid at all costs. Chips are another food that has extreme amounts of vegetable, canola, sunflower, seed oils.
• Bananas- now you’re going to think the same thing I thought: HEALTHY food, but here’s the thing….bananas cause inflammation and wreak havoc on your entire body. I was so inflamed from my head to my toes and went to see the doctor. He said what did you eat today, I replied, “A banana” and he said they cause major overwhelm. Now this isn’t the case for many people but if you notice anything…

Could I Be Allergic To Something And Not Know?

Certainly anyone can have a sensitivity or allergic reaction and not know. I did, and it was’t until a year later when I almost lost my life did I learn. Having gone to specialists, doctors who couldn’t pin point what was wrong with me, and then finally having a blood panel done did it all make sense. At my age, I guess they didn’t think to test for food allergies, but neither did I. I’ve gone my entire life eating anything I wanted. Unfortunately, the industry is adding so many unnecessary toxins to our foods that aren’t safe causes us to be severely ill.

Knowing what is on the allergen list is going to help you along the way when transitioning into an allergy free diet. This can be extremely frustrating because everything has toxins in it. The key is to remain mindful, patient and trust that you will discover foods you can eat and get used to.

• Look for foods with minimal ingredients on the package- if there’s a long list of ingredients then it’s probably extremely toxic and you would want to avoid. The very bottom after the ingredients will state: CONTAINS SOY, WHEAT, EGGS, MILK, SHELLFISH, NUTS. Always pay attention to that. Other packages will state: CONTAINS GLUTEN.

• Don’t just take the front of the package’s word. Natural is NOT FDA regulated, so they tend to trick buyers into grabbing the food just because the front states a healthier option. This is called GREEN WASHING and you should always turn the package around to read what’s inside.

• Beware of GLUTEN FREE packaging. Chances are if you have a wheat allergy, you probably have a sensitivity to oats, barley, soy, granola, etc.

Avoiding Foods To Repair Your Gut

• Oatmeal– I thought just like those bananas that oatmeal was a healthier option than cereal (which is highly toxic). Come to find out that oats really irritate the lining of our guts and makes us sick.
• Almond Milk– Raises glucose levels and if you pay close attention after drinking it, you will notice overtime an upset stomach. Try 2% or lowfat milk instead. This goes back to the eggs tip: brands play a big role in how they make you feel after eating. Choose the higher priced brand to prevent illnesses. I’m personally not sensitive to McArthurs and enjoy that when my stomach needs to digest food better. However, I have no gallbladder, so everyone is not the same. Test it out and let me know in the comments.
• Pork– More likely to get parasites from this meat than any other, so if you choose to eat protein, opt for better quality meat like chicken and steak.
• Produce Foods– This one may shock you but certain fruits and veggies can actually do more harm than good. Now my daughter for instance has a body that makes too much histamine. Therefore she cannot eat pineapples, lemons. For myself, I cannot eat lettuce or raw foods like broccoli, carrots and such because I cannot digest properly without my gallbladder. Many fruits are high in sugar and so I would personally suggest blueberries for the best option. And grapes have no nutritional value. They just irritate the gut if not chewed properly before swallowing.

As you can see there’s a lot of foods that can irritate your entire body whether you’re allergic or not. Many factors play a role in healthy eating. Do you have a gallbladder, do you have other allergies that will have an impact on how you eat? So many things to take into consideration. My best tip: LISTEN TO YOUR BODY. Full disclaimer: I am not telling what you can and cannot eat. We are not doctors here. Go to get tested so that you know for sure if you have food allergies. Other things like allergies to beauty products and house cleaning products can wreak havoc on your system too.

How To Stay Hydrated Throughout The Day– plays a huge role in digestion and healthy stools

Detox Your Life– a six month self guided program to a healthier you