Stop Wasting Money On "Food Intolerance Tests"

The Truth About Food Intolerance Tests: Why They're Often Inaccurate (and What to Do Instead)

If you've ever felt bloated, tired, foggy or inflamed after eating certain foods, chances are you've considered taking a food intolerance test.

And if you're like many women I work with, you may have already taken one—only to be handed a long list of “off-limit” foods, feeling more confused (and restricted) than ever.

Here’s the hard truth:
Most commercial food intolerance tests are not evidence-based.

Let’s break down why they often lead to false results, unnecessary restriction, and anxiety around food—and what you can do instead if you suspect food sensitivities.

First, What’s the Difference Between a Food Allergy, Sensitivity and Intolerance?

🔹 Food allergy = immune system overreaction (IgE antibodies), can be life-threatening
🔹 Food intolerance = difficulty digesting a food (e.g. lactose, histamine, FODMAPs), not immune-driven
🔹 Food sensitivity = vague, non-specific symptoms; often involves the immune system, but mechanisms aren’t well defined

Here’s where the confusion begins: many commercial “intolerance” tests don’t measure true intolerance at all.

Why Most Food Intolerance Tests Are Flawed

The most commonly sold tests (like finger-prick kits or hair analysis) often claim to measure your body’s reaction to dozens or even hundreds of foods.

But what they’re actually measuring is:

👉 IgG antibodies – a normal immune response to food exposure, not a sign of intolerance.

Key point:
IgG antibodies can simply reflect that you’ve recently eaten that food. They’re a sign of tolerance, not a problem.

So if your results say you’re “intolerant” to oats, bananas, or chicken—it might just be because you ate them in the last week.

The scientific consensus?

“There is no evidence that food-specific IgG testing has diagnostic value for food intolerances or sensitivities.”
— European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

So Why Do People Feel Better After Eliminating the Foods?

Short-term improvement after cutting foods is usually due to:

• Reduced overall inflammation or gut irritation

• Eating less processed food (because most test lists are restrictive)

• Placebo effect or feeling more “in control”

• Less food variety temporarily relieving symptoms like bloating

But long term, this can backfire.

👉 Over-restriction can damage your gut microbiome
👉 Fear of food increases stress and disordered eating
👉 You may miss the real root cause—like SIBO, low stomach acid, hormone imbalances or stress

What to Do If You Suspect Food Sensitivities

If your body feels reactive or unpredictable, there is something going on—it just might not be what that test says.

Here’s a better, more accurate approach:

5 Evidence-Based Steps to Take Instead

1. Keep a symptom + food journal
   Track what you eat, how you feel, and patterns in your cycle or stress levels. Often, food reactions are context-dependent, not just about the food itself.

2. Look at your digestion
   Bloating, reflux, or sluggish bowels? These often point to underlying gut function, not food intolerances. A stool test or SIBO breath test may be more useful than an IgG panel.

3. Try a short-term structured elimination (with support)
   Something like a low-FODMAP trial or histamine-lowering protocol, done temporarily and with reintroductions, can provide far more clarity than a generic test.

4. Reduce stress + nervous system dysregulation
   Cortisol and fight-or-flight states can cause or worsen food reactions. You can’t digest well when your body thinks you’re in danger.

5. Work on gut healing and tolerance—not just avoidance
   With the right support (nutrients, lifestyle, nervous system work), most people can reintroduce many foods over time.

Final Thoughts

Food intolerance tests may seem like a quick answer—but most are based on outdated science, and can do more harm than good.

If you’ve been handed a list of “bad foods” and feel afraid to eat, you deserve better.

The goal isn’t to eliminate more and more foods. It’s to understand what’s really going on in your body—so you can build resilience, not restriction.

Because food shouldn’t feel like the enemy.
And your body isn’t broken—it’s just asking for support.

Sick of bloating, questioning your food choices and feeling like your body reacts to everything you eat?  Look no further babes https://www.coachedbydidi.co.uk/pl/2148656165

Want real accountability and a plan- You'll need this link, bookmark it now, book a call, lets talk through what's going on for you. 

https://calendly.com/didi-4/15-min-1-1-enquiry

Love Didz x