WHAT, IF ANY, IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A FOOD INTOLERANCE AND AN ALLERGY? WHAT IS A LACTOSE INTOLERANCE?

While it’s easy to mix the two up, intolerances and allergies are completely different reactions in the body.

“The confusion between a food allergy and intolerance is probably one of the most common I hear in my clinic,” says accredited dietitian Nicole Dynan, owner and director of The Good Nutrition Co in Sydney (goodnutritionco.com).

While allergies are triggered by our body’s immune system, intolerances occur in the digestive system. “Intolerances usually occur more slowly than an allergy, sometimes hours after the food is eaten,” Dynan explains.

Unlike allergies, which can trigger a potentially deadly reaction known as anaphylaxis, Dynan says intolerances generally aren’t life threatening.

“Food intolerance symptoms can include bloating, gas, nausea, diarrhoea and other irritable bowel syndrome [IBS] symptoms, mouth ulcers, hives, headaches and even skin rashes,” she says. “Exceptions could be intolerances to sulphites and benzoates, which may cause anaphylaxis.”

Lactose intolerance occurs when someone produces a low level of the lactase enzyme, which our bodies need to break down lactose (the natural sugars found in dairy products). Typical symptoms of lactose intolerance include gas, bloating, stomach pain and diarrhoea.

The good news is, there are plenty of lactose-free milk, cheese and yoghurt options available on the market today.

Some people with lactose intolerance may find they’re still able to produce enough lactase to tolerate small helpings of dairy – such as a glass of regular milk or 30g of hard cheese. Yoghurt may also be an option, because the lactose has been partially broken down by good bacteria.