Last Updated on 10 July 2025 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic
Discover 7 Useful Strategies for Overcoming Food Intolerance
Food intolerance is a widespread issue, but it often gets mistaken for food allergies. While food allergies can cause serious immune reactions, food intolerances involve difficulty digesting certain foods and lead to uncomfortable symptoms such as bloating, gas, or stomach pain. Fortunately, food intolerance can be managed through proper dietary strategies and gut health support from Naturopaths and Nutritionists.
Below are seven useful strategies that will guide you in overcoming food intolerance effectively.
1. Understand the Difference Between Food Intolerance and Allergy
Food intolerance and allergies are often confused, but they are fundamentally different. Allergies involve the immune system and can be life-threatening, whereas food intolerances are digestive issues that develop gradually. Common symptoms of food intolerance include bloating, gas, and stomach pain. Recognising these differences is key to approaching your symptoms correctly.
2. Try an Elimination Diet to Identify Your Triggers
An elimination diet is one of the best methods for identifying food intolerances. This diet involves removing suspected food triggers for 2-4 weeks, then slowly reintroducing them one at a time to monitor reactions. Common intolerances include dairy, gluten, and wheat. Keeping a food diary during this process is essential to track symptoms and progress.
Note that if you have severe gut health issues, an elimination diet may not be enough to help you with overcoming food intolerance – it is recommended that you see a Naturopath to help you on your healing journey.
3. Improve Your Gut Health with Prebiotic and Fermented Foods
Incorporating prebiotic and fermented foods into your diet can improve your gut health and increase tolerance to certain foods. Prebiotic foods, such as beans, whole grains, and vegetables, feed beneficial bacteria in the gut, while fermented foods, like kimchi and kombucha, introduce probiotics that support digestion.
4. Use Polysaccharides and Supplements to Support Gut Function
Polysaccharides, found in foods like onions and okra, help rebuild the gut lining, which is often compromised in individuals with food intolerances. Supplements such as glutamine and quercetin further support gut health, aiding in the healing process and reducing inflammation.
5. Manage Stress and Make Lifestyle Adjustments
Stress is a significant factor that can worsen food intolerance symptoms. Managing stress through activities like yoga, meditation, or regular exercise can help mitigate symptoms. Additionally, making simple lifestyle changes, such as eating smaller meals and practicing intermittent fasting, can give your digestive system the break it needs to recover.
6. Work with a Naturopath for Personalised Treatment
Naturopaths can offer a holistic approach to managing food intolerances. A Naturopath can create a tailored diet and supplement plan, typically ranging from 3 to 12 months, to help you overcome food intolerances while improving your overall gut health. These long-term strategies focus on reintroducing problem foods to help you with overcoming food intolerance, balancing your gut microbiome and strengthening your gut brain connection.
7. Desensitise Problem Foods Through Controlled Exposure
Desensitisation involves gradually reintroducing small amounts of problematic foods to your diet under controlled conditions. Over time, this helps your digestive system and immune system become more tolerant of these foods. This method, however, should only be done with the guidance of a healthcare professional like our Naturopaths or Nutritionists at Brisbane Livewell Clinic.
Take Control of Overcoming Your Food Intolerances Today
Overcoming food intolerance doesn’t have to be a lifelong struggle. By incorporating these proven strategies—such as the elimination diet, gut health improvement, and controlled desensitisation—you can significantly reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Whether you’re looking for personalised advice or dietary solutions, it’s time to take the first step towards better health. Start today by consulting with a health professional like our Naturopaths or Nutritionists at Brisbane Livewell Clinic to develop a Wellness Plan tailored to your unique needs.
FAQs About Food Intolerance
1. What is food intolerance?
Food intolerance refers to the body’s inability to properly digest certain foods, leading to symptoms like bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Unlike food allergies, food intolerances do not involve the immune system and are typically less severe.
2. How can I identify my food intolerances?
The best way to identify food intolerances is by following an elimination diet. This involves removing suspected foods from your diet for several weeks, then gradually reintroducing them to observe any symptoms.
3. Can food intolerances go away over time?
Food intolerances may improve over time, particularly when combined with dietary adjustments that support gut health. However, certain intolerances, like lactose intolerance, can persist long-term.
4. Are there reliable tests for food intolerances?
While some tests claim to diagnose food intolerances, the elimination diet remains the most effective and reliable method. This method helps pinpoint specific foods causing issues by tracking symptoms when foods are removed and reintroduced.
5. What foods commonly cause food intolerances?
Common foods that trigger intolerances include dairy (lactose), gluten, wheat, soy, and certain fruits. However, each person’s tolerance level varies, so it’s essential to identify individual triggers.
6. How do prebiotic foods help with food intolerance?
Prebiotic foods feed the good bacteria in your gut, promoting a healthy microbiome and helping reduce food intolerance symptoms by improving digestion and overall gut function.
7. Should I completely avoid foods that trigger intolerance?
You may not need to completely avoid food that trigger food intolerance. Many people can tolerate small amounts of foods that trigger intolerance. By working with a healthcare professional, you can determine your safe intake levels and gradually reintroduce problem foods into your diet.
Our Amazing Naturopaths at Brisbane Livewell Clinic
Shella Hall (Sunshine Coast and online)
Amy Angus (Wavell Heights and online)
Jen Strachan (Cannon Hill and online)
Nicole Odlum (Wavell Heights and online)
Dominique Johanson (Wavell Heights and online)
Locations We Service – Naturopathy
Naturopath Caloundra
Naturopath Wavell Heights
Naturopath Cannon Hill
Naturopath Sunshine Coast
Naturopath Noosa
Naturopath Brisbane Northside
Naturopath Brisbane
Naturopaths Brisbane
Brisbane Naturopaths
Naturopathy Brisbane
Naturopaths Near Me
Best Naturopaths Near Me
Best Naturopath Near Me
Natural Therapies Brisbane
Therapists Brisbane
Relevant Naturopath links
- How Naturopathy Can Help You Recover Your Health
- Seeing a Naturopath: The Ultimate Guide
- Naturopaths
- Guide to Seeing a Children’s Naturopath
- The 6 Naturopathic Principles that Protect a Naturopath’s Patients
- ADHD Naturopath
- Brisbane Wellbeing
- Natural Dispensary Brisbane
- Achieving Good Health With A Holistic Approach
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) – How a Naturopath Helps
Why You May Wish to Consult a Naturopath
Gut Health
- Leaky Gut Syndrome – Symptoms, Causes and Gut Repair Support
- Naturopath for Gut Health
- Solving Gut Issues by Treating SIBO
- SIBO Test Brisbane
- Daily Ritual Gut Health
- 6 Digestive Problems that Cause Weight Gain
- How Stool Testing Helps IBS Sufferers Part 1: Digestive Markers
- How Stool Testing Helps IBS Sufferers Part 2: Microbial Markers
- Can Irritable Bowel Syndrome Cause Weight Gain?
- Gut Health with Parasite Cleanse
- Natural Parasite Cleanse Australia
- The Gut-Brain Connection to Mental Health
- The Gut-Brain Connection: How to Feed Your Brain
- Controlling Constipation and Bloating
- How Stool Testing Helps Find the Causes of IBS and Other Digestive Health Problems
- Gut Health Specialist Brisbane
- Gut Microbiome Testing Australia
- Gut Health Test Australia
- Probiotics for Thrush
- What is Leaky Gut Australia?
- Daily Ritual Gut Health: Finding Your Best Daily Rituals
- Addressing SIBO for Gut Health Improvement
- Gut Health, Diet & Nutrition
- Improve Your Gut Health Brisbane
- Naturopath Gut Health
- IBS-Friendly Slow Cooked Porridge
- L-Glutamine: A Solution for Gut Health Issues
- Understanding Appetite Regulation
Perimenopause and Menopause
- 3 Lifestyle Changes Women Need to Make After 40
- Guide for a Happy Menopause
- Menopause Clinic Near Me
- What is Menopause?
- Perimenopause
- Acupuncture for Perimenopause and Menopause
- Managing Menopause
- Strategies for Preparing for Perimenopause
- Finding Relief from Menopausal Symptoms with Naturopathy
- Brain Fog and Menopause
- Early Menopause: Preparation and Management
Hormone Health
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Hormone Testing Brisbane
- Find Reliable DUTCH Test Providers Near Me and Look After Your Hormones
- Take an At Home Hormone Test – DUTCH Hormone Package
- Hormonal Health and Thyroid Issues
- PCOS and the Insulin Connection
- Identifying Insulin Resistance
- Looking at Luteal Phase Deficiency
- Experiencing Painful Periods? Here’s What Might Be Causing It
- Test Cortisol at Home
- Cortisol Test Australia
- How to Get Hormone Levels Checked in Australia
- Blood Analysis Cost in Australia
- Reducing your Body’s Toxin Burden to Improve your Hormone Health
Thyroid Issues
- When You Suspect You Have Thyroid Issues
- Subclinical Hypothyroidism: When You Suspect You Have a Thyroid Issue
- Thyroid Disorders from a Naturopathic Aspect
- Thyroid Health for the Winter Months
- Thyroid Disease: A Brief Guide to Common Disorders
- Hypothyroidism and Hashimoto’s
- Thyroid
- How Hyperthyroidism Can Affect Your Health
- Hyperthyroidism and Graves’ Disease
- Naturopath Herbs for Thyroid Health
Detox and Cleansing
- Heavy Metal Toxicity: Strategies for Detoxing
- Detoxing Your Lifestyle, Not Just Your Body
- How Long Does It Take To Detox Heavy Metals From The Body?
- Heavy Metal Detox for Kids
- Naturopathic Detox Cleanse
- Naturopath Detox
- Do I Need a Heavy Metal Detox?
- Heavy Metal Detox Australia
Insomnia and Sleep Health
- Save Your Sleep with What You Eat
- Insomnia Linked to Mineral Deficiency
- Solving Insomnia: Naturopathy’s Five-Step Solution
- 5 Ways Insomnia Can Affect Your Life and What You Can Do About It
- Natural Treatment for Insomnia
- Naturopathic Remedies for Insomnia
- Enhancing Sleep Quality with Natural Strategies
Autoimmune Conditions
- Naturopathy for Autoimmune Disorders
- Thyroid Health for the Winter Months
- Naturopathic Management of Acid Reflux Disease (GERD) and Weight Gain
- A Naturopath’s Guide to Managing Psoriasis
Mental Health, Stress, Anxiety and Depression
- The Gut-Brain Connection to Mental Health
- The Gut-Brain Connection: How to Feed Your Brain
- Treating Depression with Naturopathy: What You Should Consider
- A Naturopath’s Guide to Improving Mental Health
- Naturopathic Anxiety Medication
- Naturopath Anxiety
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD): How a Naturopath Helps
- Pyrrole Disorder
- Breathing for Anxiety: How to Get Anxiety Relief Through Breathing Techniques
- Stress and How It Manifests
- Brain Fog: Causes And Some Treatments
- A Tasty Egg Curry for Stress and Anxiety Relief
- Warm Brussel Sprouts Super Salad for Increased Energy and Stress Relief
Women’s Health
- Women’s Health
- Naturopath Women’s Health
- Women’s Health Week: It’s All About Women’s Wellness and Wellbeing
- Treating Vaginal Thrush the Natural Way
- The Lowdown on Low Libido
- Experiencing Painful Periods and What’s Causing Them
- Regulating Menstrual Cycles with Chaste Tree
- Painful Periods and Naturopathy
- Preventing Post-Pill Acne
- PCOS and Gut Microbiome Health
- Helping Cardiovascular Disease in Women
- Health and Fitness Strategies for Women
Fertility and Pregnancy
- Pregnancy
- Pre-Pregnancy Fertility Care with Naturopathic Nutrition
- Fertility Naturopath Brisbane
- Acupuncture and Naturopathy for Pre-Conception Care
- Pregnancy Care and Naturopathy
- Maximising Nutrition Before and During Pregnancy
- Getting Quality Sleep in the 3rd Trimester of Pregnancy
- Pregnancy Wellbeing and Naturopathy are Great Partners
- Naturopathy for the Management of Constipation During Pregnancy
- How a Prenatal Naturopath Can Transform Your Pregnancy
- Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
- Keeping Calm About Colic
- Foods for Fertility
Men’s Health
- Men’s Health
- The Sperm Health Decline
- Better Prostate Health with Natural Medicine
- Naturopathy and Men’s Health
- Support Your Thyroid Health Naturally
- Men’s Health Supplements
- Understanding Postpartum Depression in Fathers
- Healthy Eating Guide for Men
Children’s Health
- The Importance of Naturopathic Care for Children
- Omega 3 for Child’s Health
- Find Your Children’s Naturopath at Brisbane Livewell Clinic
- Guide to Seeing a Children’s Naturopath
- Naturopath for Children and Teenagers
- Symptoms of Heavy Metal Toxicity in Toddlers
- How Naturopaths Can Improve Study Stress and Anxiety for Your Child
DNA Testing
- DNA Testing & Personalised Medicine
- DNA Testing Brisbane
- DNA Testing Brisbane, Australia
- Methylation Test Near Me
- Testing Functional Medicine
- Genetic Methylation Test Brisbane
- DUTCH Test Providers Near Me
- Full Genetic Testing Australia
- MTHFR Gene Test – Understand Your Genetic Health with Expert Guidance
Leaky Gut Syndrome
Food Intolerances and Allergies
- 7 Useful Strategies for Overcoming Food Intolerance
- Hayfever and the Gastrointestinal Immune System
- Food Intolerance, Hypersensitivity, and Allergies Explained
- Everything You Need to Know About Food Intolerance
- Food Allergy Testing Near Me
- Food Intolerance Testing Brisbane
- Food Allergy Testing
- Food Intolerance Testing
- Food Intolerance Testing Package
- How to Get an Allergy Test in Australia
- Food Intolerance and Food Allergies: Why are they so Different?
Weight Loss
- Can Irritable Bowel Syndrome Cause Weight Gain? (IBS)
- Naturopathy for Weight Loss
- Natural Weight Loss for Summer
- A Naturopathic Approach to Achieving an Ideal and Healthy Weight
- Intermittent Fasting: A Naturopath’s Guide to Success
- Weight Loss Naturopath
- Kick-Start Weight Loss: 5 Science-Backed Tips
- Combining Therapies for a Healthy Weight
- Naturopath’s Weight Loss Programme
Nutrition and Mineral Deficiencies
- Nutrition and Naturopathy: Healthy Diet
- Optimising Nutrition for Skin Health
- The Seriousness of Sugar
- The Importance of Mindfulness and Meditation in Natural Medicine
- Nutrition Deficiency: Visible Body Look Signs
- Helping Cardiovascular Disease in Women
- Sports Nutrition and Your Ideal Protein Requirements
- Creating a Healthy Diet for Good Health and Wellbeing
- Maximising Nutrition Before and During Pregnancy
- Nutrition and Naturopathy: Healthy Diet
- Combining Therapies for a Healthy Weight
- Intermittent Fasting: A Naturopath’s Guide to Success
- Iron Deficiency and Anaemia: When Things Go from Bad to Worse
- Naturopathic Medicine: What You Need to Know
- National Herbal Medicine Week
- The Role of Nutrition and Naturopathy in Wellbeing
- Clinical Nutrients
- Mood & Food
- Food as Medicine: Exploring Natural and Herbal Options
- Maximising Macronutrients – Spotlight on Carbohydrates
Parasites
- Natural Parasite Cleanse Australia
- Parasites from Traveling
- Natural Treatments for Those Pesky Parasites
- Clean Your Body of Parasites
- Parasite Cleanse
Chronic Fatigue / Exhaustion / Tired
- Treatment of Chronic Fatigue
- Combat Chronic Fatigue with this Delicious Curry
- Chronic Fatigue Treatment Brisbane
- Adrenal Fatigue: Stress and Burnout Management
Healthy Eating
- Eating Healthy for you and our Planet
- Plant Based Eating From Around The World (The Middle East)
- Chickpea Pancake Recipe: A Great Diabetic Breakfast
- Exploring the Benefits of Medicinal Mushrooms
- Staying Fit and Eating Right After 60
- Fermented Foods