Key takeaways
- A food sensitivity (or intolerance) usually causes digestive discomfort; an allergy involves the immune system and can be an emergency.
- A food and symptom log is the most useful first tool, and it costs nothing.
- A naturopathic assessment can pull together history, diet, stress, labs and, where suitable, food intolerance testing or stool analysis.
- Elimination plans work best when they are short, specific and guided.
If your week involves a commute, soccer pick-ups and dinners eaten at odd hours, it is easy to miss the link between what you eat and how you feel. Bloating after lunch might be the sandwich, the rush, or both. This guide walks through a practical way to sort it out for yourself and your family in Oakville.
Digestion slowing you down? Book a naturopathic assessment at Inside Health Clinic or call 905-842-6654. Dr. Michael Michna, ND focuses on digestive health, and you can book with him directly.
What is the difference between a food sensitivity and a food allergy?
A food allergy is an immune reaction that can affect the skin, breathing and circulation, and can be life-threatening. A food intolerance or sensitivity mostly affects digestion, with symptoms like bloating, gas, cramping or loose stools. Mayo Clinic Health System describes this same split. If you have hives, swelling of the lips or tongue, wheezing or faintness after eating, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Where do I start if my digestion feels off?
Start with a two-week food and symptom log. Write down what you eat, when, and how you feel in the hours after, plus sleep, stress and bowel habits. Take the log to your naturopathic assessment, where one of our naturopathic doctors reviews your health history, stress, diet and daily habits over 60 to 90 minutes.
What does the research say about tracking food and symptoms?
Mayo Clinic Health System recommends keeping a journal of what you eat and watching for the times symptoms flare up, and describes this tracking as a way to help pinpoint the foods that bother you. That is why the food log is the first tool we suggest: patterns often appear in the notes before any test is run, and the log gives your naturopathic doctor something concrete to work with at your visit.
What can a naturopathic assessment add for digestive concerns?
It connects the dots. Digestive symptoms can come from many places: eating on the run, low iron or B12, thyroid changes, stress, medications and, sometimes, the gut itself. Proper blood work can check markers such as iron and ferritin, B12, glucose and HbA1c, thyroid, and inflammation, which helps rule contributors in or out. A plan is then built around you.
How does food intolerance testing work?
At Inside Health, food intolerance testing uses a small blood spot sample collected with a finger prick. It is reviewed alongside your symptoms and food log, and your naturopathic doctor explains the results and how they fit into your plan.
What is a GI-MAP stool analysis?
It is an at-home stool test that uses DNA-based technology (qPCR) to look for bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites from a single sample. It may be considered if you have longer-lasting digestive symptoms. Collection has a few rules, such as avoiding probiotics and digestive enzymes beforehand, so follow the clinic’s collection guide carefully. Our stool analysis page explains the process.
How does an elimination approach work?
The idea is simple: remove one suspected food or group for a defined period, then reintroduce it and note what happens. Guided elimination avoids two common traps, cutting out too many foods at once and never reintroducing them. Your naturopathic doctor helps you choose what to pause, keep your meals nourishing, and decide when to reintroduce.
What should I bring to my first visit?
- Your food and symptom log, even if it is only a week or two of notes.
- A simple written list of what you take, including anything prescribed.
- Any recent lab results you have.
- A short list of your top two or three concerns, so we can focus on what matters most to you.
Plan reintroductions for calmer days rather than a hectic work week, and your naturopathic doctor will help you time them.
Frequently asked questions
Is food intolerance the same as an allergy?
No. Intolerances mostly cause digestive symptoms; allergies involve the immune system and can be emergencies.
Do I need testing, or can I just try elimination?
Either can be a starting point. Your naturopathic doctor will suggest a path after your assessment.
How long does an elimination plan last?
Usually a few weeks, followed by a planned reintroduction, tailored to you.
What does the stool test involve?
A single at-home sample, returned to the clinic as directed, with results explained by your practitioner.
Can stress affect digestion?
Yes, many people notice it. Sleep, meal timing and stress habits are part of the assessment.
Will I have to give up foods forever?
The aim is to find a pattern that works for you, not a permanently restricted list.
Book your digestive health assessment
Start with a conversation and leave with a plan built around you. Book with Dr. Michael Michna, ND, request an appointment with our team, or call 905-842-6654. Inside Health Clinic is at 2486 Old Bronte Rd #107, Oakville.
Sources
- Mayo Clinic Health System, Food intolerance or food allergy? https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/food-intolerance-or-food-allergy
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