Are you a repetitive eater? You may be wondering what this means or why this even matters. The truth is if you answered “Yes I am a repetitive eater”– you may be susceptible to food sensitivities.
What is repetitive eating?
Eating the same food day after day, week after week without introducing new foods
What are the less obvious effects of repetitive eating?
The development of food sensitivities
Food sensitivities may occur whether you repeatedly eat healthy or unhealthy food
Here is a real-life example of how repetitive healthy eating can cause the development of food sensitivities:
The results above show that food sensitivities developed in an individual who repetitively ate peanuts, gluten, and wheat. Food sensitivities also developed for eating green beans, almonds, walnuts, bananas, bran, rice, and ginger. The greater the food sensitivity, the more stars there are next to that food item.
The same individual above who had food sensitivities for almonds, peanuts, sesame seeds, soybeans, tomatoes, and wheat did not have allergies to these foods. The above blood test results indicate that there were no food allergies to any of the 12 foods listed above.
Can eating too much of a specific food cause a food allergy?
No. While food allergies can occur at any time in one’s life, they are more likely to happen in childhood.
What else can influence food sensitivities and/or make them worse?
Medications (e.g. antibiotics, steroids, acid-reflux drugs)
Cross reactions with dust, mold, or pollen can make food sensitivities worse
How do you know if you have a food sensitivity vs. a food allergy?
You can get testing done to test for food sensitivities and/or food allergies
What tests are available to test for food sensitivities and food allergies?
Skin prick test– a small amount of food is placed on the forearm or back to determine if there is a reaction
Blood tests–
Basic 12 IgE Foods
Pediatric 12 IgE Foods
25 IgE Foods
Component Allergens
96 Comprehensive Food Panel, IgG, IgA
184 Comprehensive Food Panel, IgG, IgA
Additive and Exposure Profile
*Blood tests for food sensitivities and allergies give a high percentage of false positives – meaning your test results can show that you are sensitive or allergic to a specific food when you really are not sensitive or allergic. To verify whether you have a true food sensitivity or allergy, your doctor may ask you to do a food challenge – where you eat small doses of the suspected problem food to see if you have a reaction. If no reaction occurs, the doctor will increase the quantity over time to see if there are any changes. If there are no symptoms or signs of allergy, then you are considered free of allergy for that specific food.
What is the difference between a food sensitivity and a food allergy?
Food sensitivity – a delayed reaction to food that may occur up to 3 days after eating
Food allergy – a mild to serious reaction to food that occurs within 8 hours of consumption
How does your body respond (mount an immune response) when you have a food sensitivity?
The body most commonly produces immunoglobulin G (IgG) to any food or substance it considers foreign. Since the immune response is delayed, it is often hard to identify which food caused the problem.
What are some symptoms you may experience if you have a food sensitivity?
Headaches
Stomach discomfort and/or bloating
Itching
How does your body respond (mount an immune response) when you have a food allergy?
The body produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in response to food allergies. This is not a definitive test as other etiologies including fighting a parasitic infection can raise the level of IgE antibodies in the blood.
What are some symptoms you may experience if you have a food allergy?
Nausea
Throat or tongue swelling
Difficulty breathing
Wheezing
Hives
Our advice to you is to eat a variety of healthy foods to reduce your risk of developing food sensitivities. If you have a true food allergy, we recommend you avoid that food all together.
References:
Can I develop an allergy from eating too much of a food? (2017, January 12). Retrieved from https://acaai.org/resources/connect/ask-allergist/can-i-develop-allergy-eating-too-much-food
Food Allergies & Sensitivities – Alletess Medical Laboratory. (2019). Retrieved from https://foodallergy.com/allergy-immunology/food-allergies/
Testing for Food Allergies. (2006, March 1). Retrieved from https://www.webmd.com/allergies/food-allergy-test#1
Eat Healthy and Be Healthier 
I am a repetitive eater huhu because of lack of time in preparing my food before going to work. But when given a chance I always buy veggies to ease the guilt that I have when I was tempted to eat sweets
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This is good information. I took a food sensitivities test a few years ago. This is a good reminder to switch up the foods we eat.
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We are glad you found it beneficial.
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