Is It the Food or Your Lifestyle Causing You Pain?
Have you blamed a particular food for causing uncomfortable symptoms - digestive distress, migraines, skin flare-ups - only to be symptom-free when enjoying that same food on vacation or in a relaxed setting? If so, you’re not alone. Many people develop food fears based on past experiences without realizing that food sensitivities are often not just about the food itself, but also about the state of your body and mind when you eat it.
First, let me clarify that I’m not talking about IgE-mediated food allergies here. Those are immediate, immune-driven reactions that can be life-threatening and should always be taken seriously. What we’re discussing are food sensitivities, delayed or non-life-threatening reactions that may show up hours or even days later. Examples of these symptoms include bloating, rashes, migraines, fatigue, and joint pain.
Food sensitivities are tricky because they often arise from underlying imbalances in the gut microbiome, chronic inflammation, or elevated stress hormones like cortisol. When you're under constant stress - whether from work, lack of sleep, emotional strain, or over-exercising - your digestive system may not function optimally. This can impair your ability to break down food, disrupt gut flora, and make you more reactive to otherwise harmless foods.
This is why some people can tolerate certain foods while on vacation or in a relaxed environment but react negatively in their daily lives. When you're calm, rested, and happy, your body is in a more parasympathetic ("rest and digest") state. This creates the ideal conditions for digestion and absorption—and may reduce or even eliminate symptoms you typically associate with "problem" foods.
Personally, I can develop migraines after consuming alcohol or salty or sugary foods. However, I’ve noticed that when I’m on vacation, away from my usual stressors, I can sometimes enjoy small amounts of these without the usual side effects. This doesn’t mean I overindulge, but it gives me a chance to assess how my mental and physical wellbeing influence my body’s reaction to certain foods.
This observation can be both empowering and liberating. Rather than labeling foods as “bad” or permanently off-limits, we can explore how lifestyle factors - stress, sleep, environment, social connection - impact our food experience. It’s a more holistic and compassionate way to approach eating, and it may help rebuild trust with your body and your relationship with food.
So, the next time you’re tempted to blame your food, take a moment to consider the broader picture. Is it really the food, or could it be your lifestyle?
References
Buret A. G. (2006). How stress induces intestinal hypersensitivity. The American Journal of Pathology, 168(1), 3–5. https://doi.org/10.2353/ajpath.2006.050958
Caminero, A., Meisel, M., Jabri, B., & Verdu, E. F. (2019). Mechanisms by which gut microorganisms influence food sensitivities. Nature Reviews. Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 16(1), 7–18. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41575-018-0064-z
Khanijow, V., Prakash, P., Emsellem, H. A., Borum, M. L., & Doman, D. B. (2015). Sleep dysfunction and gastrointestinal diseases. Gastroenterology & Hepatology, 11(12), 817–825.