John S. Dyson, professor of marketing and of applied economics at Cornell University, estimates that Americans make over 200 choices regarding food daily. From whether to take another helping, dine in or out, to what foods you purchase at the grocery store, your personal choices abound. Numerous factors contribute to the way your body, emotions and mind react to food. Gaining understanding of the reasons adverse reactions occur after eating may guide you toward improving your choices.
Food Allergy
If you have a food allergy, your immune system views a particular food as harmful and reacts harshly. Approximately 25 percent of people believe they have a food allergy, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, yet only 2 percent of adults and 4 to 8 percent of children have been diagnosed. Most food allergies involve cow's milk, wheat, fish, shellfish, soy, peanuts, milk, eggs or food additives, such as monosodium glutamate. Symptoms occur within two hours of ingesting the food you're allergic to and may include hives, swelling, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, diarrhea, wheezing, a metallic taste in your mouth, dizziness and, in severe cases, fainting or shock.
Food Intolerances
Many people who believe they have food allergies actually have food intolerances, according to the UMMC, which cause less severe symptoms. If you're lactose intolerant, for example, your body isn't able to properly absorb or digest lactose, the naturally-occurring sugar in milk. Symptoms typically arise within 30 minutes of consuming milk, according to MayoClinic.com, and include bloating, gas, nausea and abdominal cramps. Other relatively common intolerances include food additives, such as MSG and substances called sulfites and gluten -- storage protein in wheat, barley and rye.
Psychological Triggers
Some food intolerances are triggered by emotions. You may associate an unpleasant experience that occurred during your childhood with a particular food, for example, then experience unpleasant sensations after eating or simply being exposed to the food as an adult. Illnesses, such as anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorder, may also trigger adverse reactions to food. If you have an anxiety disorder, such as obsessive compulsive disorder, you may experience stress and anxiety over eating or avoiding certain foods or by the way foods are prepared. Dieting may also trigger negative reactions to food, according to the National Eating Disorders Association.
Digestive Conditions and Behaviors
Digestive conditions, such as ulcers or open sores, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, colitis and certain forms of cancer can cause reactions similar to food allergy symptoms. To ensure proper treatment, seek your doctor's guidance regarding lasting or severe symptoms. Food poisoning also causes negative reactions after ingestion, ranging from stomach pain to diarrhea and vomiting. Overeating, eating too quickly and eating certain foods, such as fatty foods and sugar-free candy, can trigger indigestion, gas and bloating.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Food Allergy
- MayoClinic.com: Lactose Intolerance: Symptoms
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Food Allergy or Food Intolerance?
- National Eating Disorders Association: Know Dieting: Risks and Reasons to Stop
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: Gas in the Digestive Tract
- Inner Idea: People Underestimate Daily Food Choices
