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Test Reveals What You Shouldn't Eat

Posted on: Tuesday, 24 January 2006, 09:00 CST

I decided take a food intolerance test to see what it would show up any foods I should avoid.

York Test pioneered the unique foodScan home testing method, which tests for food intolerances that can influence conditions such as eczema, migraine, acne and general fatigue.

The 113 foodScan test involves taking a blood sample from a prick on your finger, the instructions and equipment for which are provided in the test kit.

The blood sample is then sent by the customer to the company and analysed in the labs to identify whether any food intolerances are present.

I awaited my results with bated breath to discover whether or not there were any foods that I should avoid in order to stop any problems they might cause.

The results eventually came through and I was shocked to discover that I am intolerant to cows' milk and should rotate my consumption of gluten.

This means that I should cut dairy products from my diet as soon as possible, including cheese, milk and yoghurt, and only occasionally eat wheat, oats, barley and rye.

But what could I replace them with? I love cheese and always start my day with a bowl of muesli!

I spoke to a nutritionist from the York Test to see what she would advise.

Angela Beecroft explained that my intolerances had been formed due to a course of antibiotics that I had been on, which meant that my body had developed antibodies in reaction to certain foods.

She said: "Antibiotics can destroy the beneficial flora in the gut, causing the gut wall to become much more permeable, which cows milk and gluten can also have a negative affect upon.

"It is therefore necessary to follow a course of probiotics to repair the damage after taking antibiotics."

Angela further advised me to remove cows' milk from my diet for three months to aid this repair. This may not be as difficult as I first thought, as I can replace cows milk with soya or rice milk. Furthermore, oily fish, green vegetables and nuts and seeds are good sources of calcium.

I can also replace butter with something called Tahini, which is a sesame seed spread, and contains the highest calcium content of any food.

As for gluten products, I was advised to eat them only once every four days. "There are plenty of things with which you can replace gluten," said Angela. "It is possible to buy gluten-free bread, and tortilla wraps won't have a bad effect on your digestive system either."

If you are interested in the York Test or would like more information, visit www.yorktest.com or freephone 0800 458 6053.

Source: Evening Chronicle - Newcastle-upon-Tyne

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