Food Sensitivities Vs. Allergies Vs. Intolerances By Ingrid Young

I love food!  Food is delicious, nourishing, and healing. Our bodies are made to seamlessly absorb nutrients from the food we eat so that we can perform our daily activities with ease. But what happens when the food we eat no longer fuels and heals and starts to hinder our health?  There are a few reasons why this happens.  One of the simplest reasons could be a food intolerance or sensitivity.   Food intolerance, sensitivities and allergies are based off the reaction the body has when it comes in contact with food.  

Food intolerance is when our body does not have the digestive enzymes to break down foods we eat. A common example of food intolerance is lactose intolerant. This is when the body cannot fully breakdown the sugar “lactose” in milk. Symptoms of food intolerance are bloating, gas, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, heartburn, and/or irritability.  You can experience these symptoms immediately or over a course of a few days.  Food intolerances commonly run in families.    

Food sensitivities activate an immune reaction. White blood cells react to food and chemicals and release pro-inflammatory "mediators" into the bloodstream. This immune reaction is non-threatening, and symptoms are similar to food intolerances.  Symptoms include bloating, diarrhea, nausea, migraines, acne, eczema, joint pain, runny nose, brain fog, mood swings and can be felt between 3-72 hours. Most commonly, food sensitivity reactions are often delayed, and most people go on without realizing their symptoms are due to what they ate. 

Food allergies elicit an immune response that is histamine-driven and is mediated by IgE. Reactions are immediate, within 15-30 minutes after exposure. Symptoms can be asthma, wheezing, hives, rashes, dizziness, swelling of lips, face, or in the body.  Unlike food sensitivities, food allergies can be life-threatening and in severe cases result in anaphylactic shock.  Common food allergies are nuts/ seeds, shellfish, wheat, soy, and certain fruits and vegetables. So the next question is how do you know if you’re experiencing a food intolerance or sensitivity?  Elimination diets such as the Whole30 can help identify food intolerances and sensitivities reactions.  In the office we use muscle testing to identify specific food that can be hindering your health.  I like muscle testing because it is quick and noninvasive.  I also like doing the Coca pulse test because it can be done at the comfort of your own home.  

Coca Pulse Test 

Before taking the test, make sure you’re in a relaxed and calm state. An agitated state, in which your pulse is abnormally raised, will make it difficult to perform this test with accuracy.  The test is best done on an empty stomach, at least 2 hours after eating or drinking anything, or preferably, first thing in the morning before breakfast. 1.   Get your base heart rate. I like to do this first thing in the morning.  Take your pulse before you get out of bed for one full minute.  Record that number. 2.   When you’re ready to test the food, take a bite of food. Chew it if you like, but don’t swallow it. Let it rest in your mouth so that you can taste it for thirty seconds. 3.   With the food still in your mouth, take and record your pulse for a full minute again. 4.   Spit out the food and rinse out your mouth with water. Make sure to spit the water out. Wait 1-2 minutes before trying another food, or until your pulse has returned to its base rate. If your pulse increases or decreases by 6 points over a minute with a particular food in your food, this is your body indicating a stressful reaction to the food.  If your pulse remains steady, this indication no reaction to the food and its safe.  

To learn more about functional nutrition, come join my Navigating Nutrition a 5-week online nutrition course and support group. We’ll discuss topics such as how to improve digestion, emotional eating, how to regulate blood sugar levels, and the importance of staying hydrated. Together we will create personal and practical ways to improve your health through nutrition.  

Classes start online October 6th at 6pm-7pm.  To learn more: https://healingartsnyc.com/new-events 

What people are saying… 

"Loved the class! It was intimate so you could ask all of your questions. It was informative with additional links, book recommendations and insightful learnings. It was practical with valuable tips on how to eat better (Ingrid gave us feedback after reading our food journal). It was doable since only 5 online classes of approximately an hour, hour and a half each, in the comfort of your home, after work. Ingrid is sweet, cheery, knowledgeable, patient and receptive. I can’t wait to hear about her next class!"  - D.R. 

To reserve your spot email us at info@healingartsnyc.com 

Class Schedule: 

October 6th - Week 1 - Blood sugar / Emotional eating  

October 13th - Week 2 - How to Grocery Shop/ Reading labels/ Meal Plans  

October 20th - Week 3 -  Macronutrients/Portion/ Explanation of different diets 

October 27th - Week 4 -  Hydration / Sleep + Stress + Exercise   

November 3 - Week 5 - Digestion / What's going on and how to improve it ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

$60 a class or $215 for all 5 weeks 

Won’t be able to make all 5 classes? Don’t worry, we can give you the recording of it. 

Option for extra 1-1 sessions with Ingrid Young to further personalize your nutrition, supplements, exercise, sleep and lifestyle plan.

Health Benefits of Coconut Water

There are all kinds of enhanced waters these days, but coconut water is the real deal. The drink quickly became a staple everywhere from health food stores to fitness studios but it's sweet, nutty taste isn't for everyone. Do the nutrition facts back up the hype? Here's what you need to know.

What exactly is in coconut water?

Well, coconut water is the clear liquid inside coconuts. You'd typically get coconut water from young, green coconuts—those harvested at five to seven months of age, whereas the browner coconuts, which are a better source of coconut milk.

Health benefits include that they are good for post-workout recovery: Coconut water is abundant in several electrolytes including potassium, sodium, and magnesium. If you're having an intense sweat session, especially in the summer months when you may be sweating more think of grabbing a coconut water instead of Gatorade. The electrolytes in coconut water can help to regulate fluid balance, prevent dehydration, and even ensure proper muscle function. Of course, you'll want to make sure you refuel with enough carbohydrates and protein post-workout as well but coconut water really can help prevent muscle soreness and cramping.

May help reduce blood pressure and stroke risk: Bananas are notorious for their high potassium counts, but just one cup of coconut water contains more potassium than a medium sized banana. Research suggests that potassium-rich diets can help support heart health by reducing blood pressure and even protecting against stroke.

May support good digestion: Coconut water contains magnesium, a mineral that helps to keep things moving and prevent constipation. Magnesium also helps prevent cramping

Drink if you're sick: If you're under the weather, the body can lose a tremendous amount of fluid from vomiting and diarrhea. Coconut water can help with hydration status and balance electrolytes better than regular water in this scenario and you don’t want to drink ginger ale with all the added sugar.

May promote healthy skin: Lack of proper hydration can lead to dry, tight, and even flaky skin. Drinking coconut water can contribute to your daily hydration needs which promotes circulation and radiant skin.

Great alternative to sugary beverages: Skip the sugary juices and sodas and instead reach for coconut water when you're in the mood for something other than water. Unlike sugar sweetened beverages, coconut water usually has little to no added sugar (in unflavored varieties). This makes it a great choice for diabetics or individuals looking to reduce their consumption of added sugar.


I personally add coconut water to my morning superfood smoothie because it has a way of enhancing the health benefits of the other superfoods in it so I can get even more nutrition out of it. I only drink one type of coconut water, organic Harmless Harvest. I was first attracted to it being organic and not thermally pasteurized and after trying lots of different coconut waters it’s the taste that keeps me loyal to this brand. We do sell it in the office for $5 and I highly recommend it after an ozone sauna