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Food Allergies & Intolerances

We provide medical nutrition therapy for Allergies & Intolerances

All our nutrition consultations are done via our telehealth online platform and app.  Wherever you are, you can speak to our expert dietitian's & nutritionists.

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Our process is simple 

1. You book an initial consultation

 2. You activate your practice better account (our online software) 

3.  We send you the pre-assessment forms

4. You will receive an email with your zoom link

5. You meet your dietitian. 

Allergy or intolerance?

A food allergy is an immune response to food and symptoms can range for mild to severe. More commonly they affect the gut , skin and respiratory (ability to breath). Symptoms of a food allergy include an itchy throat, mouth or ears, a rash (or hives), vomiting and swelling of the face, lips or tongue.

There are two types of allergic reactions, typical IgE mediated and Non IgE mediated 

1. IgE Mediated (immediate) involves the production of an antibody known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) which circulates within the bloodstream

2. Non IgE (delayed) is the mast cell, a cell which occurs in body tissue but is common in sites of allergic reactions.

FAQ : Allergy Tests 

A : If we suspect you are suffering from an IgE immediate type of allergy , we will arrange a skin prick test and blood test with your GP. For a Non IgE food allergy, reactions are delayed therefor skin prick/allergy testing will not be accurate. If you have a Non IgE mediated allergy we will do a food elimination diet which is gold standard first line advice of Non IgE mediated allergies. 

This will involve the suspected food to be removed from your diet for two to six weeks, before the food slowly being reintroduced. If you notice a recovery during the elimination, only for symptoms to return when reintroducing the food, you may have an allergy or intolerance.

Please do not attempt a food elimination diet without discussing the changes with your GP or a nutrition professional.

Food intolerance

Food intolerances are more common but is typically harder to diagnose as food intolerance tests are not evidence based. Food intolerances do not cause an immune response but rather malabsorption of the food product which may cause digestive symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation and abdominal discomfort which may last a few hours or days.  Symptoms are often delayed, occurring hours later and sometimes lasting a number of days. The symptoms associated with food intolerance are usually gut-related, such as diarrhoea, bloating, constipation and skin problems, such as eczema.  People may experience non-specific symptoms, such as headaches, brain fog and lethargy.

How can we help?

At Nutrition and Co, our specialist allergy dietitian can help you understand the foods that are causing your symptoms and assist you in the successful implementation of an exclusion and reintroduction diet. They will advise you on how to avoid the confirmed/suspected allergen, to prevent symptoms while maintaining a healthy, balance your diet and ensure it meets your nutritional requirements.

Types of Food Allergies

The most common food allergies are : 

  • Milk

  • Egg

  • Peanuts

  • Tree nuts (including almonds, walnuts and cashews)

  • Fish (including pollock, salmon, cod, tuna, snapper, eel and tilapia)

  • Crustacean shellfish (including shrimp, lobster and crab)

  • Soy

  • Wheat

What to expect 

You will complete the pre assessment questionnaire and activate your online account. 

Initial consultations are 60 minutes in duration, you will meet your dedicated dietitian and discuss your goals, analyse your lifestyle and symptoms.  After your initial consultation, you will have a clear plan of what is expected going forward. If you require blood tests a letter will be written to your GP after your initial consultation for those tests to be done before our follow up. 

Your dietitian may also help you plan the best foods to buy and prepare for yourself or your family.

Follow up sessions will be booked in advanced. Depending on what your  dietitian feels is best suites, you will have 3+ follow ups sessions. 

Image by Brooke Lark

Book now

01

Click here to book an initial consultation at a time that suites you 

02

An email will be sent to activate your telehealth portal. You can also download the ‘better by practice better’ app , and log in with your details 

03

Complete the pre-assessment form and terms and conditions 

04

Join the 1-1 consultation via the zoom link provided on the telehealth platform. Here you will meet your dietitian.

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