Peanuts, shellfish, eggs, soy — food allergies seem like just another one of those things becoming more common these days.

What gives?

And even if you don’t have a food allergy, you may still notice that some foods just don’t sit well with you. Is that a food intolerance? What’s the difference and why does it matter? So many questions and so little time! Let’s dive in.

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I’m Allergic To…

… the lies told by big food and fake meat companies. Jokes aside, food allergies are a costly and serious health condition that impact 1 in every 10 adults and 1 in every 13children. Each year in the U.S, 200,000 people have an allergic reaction to food severe enough that it requires emergency medical care. These severe reactions are also on the rise over the past decade. However, some people without severe allergies will still react poorly to certain foods. Their lab work might even come back negative for allergies.

But does that mean it is all made up and in their heads? Nope–not made up at all.

Food intolerances are very real, and in some cases can be improved by managing your gut health! So what’s the difference between an allergy and an intolerance? In a true food allergy, a person’s immune system produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in response to the consumption of a particular food. These antibodies initiate a chain of events that can affect the skin (hives), the respiratory tract (wheezing/itching/swelling), and/or the GI tract (vomiting). A food intolerance is not controlled by that same antibody release, but is rather thought to be caused by specific enzyme deficiencies, impaired food absorption, and other GI issues.

Food intolerance issues do not trigger the same acute response as food allergies, but they are very real and if people that suffer from an intolerance keep eating the triggering food(s), they could develop more serious health conditions down theline. Some common food intolerances include dairy, gluten, legumes, and nightshade vegetables. The good news? Food intolerances can be improved. For many people, food intolerances are a direct symptom of poor gut health. In most cases, food isn’t being digested properly and/or or food molecules are getting past the gut lining when they shouldn’t be able to. The solution? Here is something you’ve never heard on the Daily Tonic before: gut health is key!

Managing stress, daily movement, cutting out processed foods, and eating high quality sources of protein could all help to improve gut health and help manage food intolerances. You could also start out by pinpointing what intolerances you have by going through an elimination diet for at least 30 days, cutting out the most common food intolerance culprits(dairy, gluten, legumes), and then reintroducing them slowly one at a time.How you feel after reintroduction could shed a lot of light on how well your body tolerates certain foods.

It’s A No For Me Too.

In a bit of disappointing news, it seems that despite our extremely timely andinformative writing, our efforts at the Daily Tonic haven’t even made a denton the popularity of fake meats. sigh According to research by investmentbank, Credit Suisse, the plant based food industry is projected to be 100 times larger by 2050.

There is a long list of things I’d like to see 100X by 2050 and vegan propaganda-fueled, GMO, glyphosate-sprayed, monoculture grain, soil-killing, fake meat just isn’t one of them. Maybe our writing here will turn things around, though? All we can do is continue to educate and hope for the best! Forward this Daily Tonic to a friend (or ten) and let’s keep the momentum going.

Tonic Shots

• Speaking of momentum, supporting regenerative does not always have to mean buying meat. Check out this superfood that also supports a non-profit dedicated to regenerative agriculture.
• Probiotics are great for your gut, but did you know they are also great for your skin?
• They sell Oatly, so they aren’t perfect… but check out Thrive Market for a solid selection of quality foods and personal care products at a discount, and a great give back program!
• Curious about going through an elimination diet to find your food intolerances? Deep dive with this podcast.