the relationship between a vegan diet and intolerances

Food intolerances have a complicated relationship with the vegan way of life. Like any real-world relationship, there are plenty of ways things can go wrong, and, at the same time, lots of reasons it could be a match made in heaven.

Let’s take a brief look at the relationship between a vegan diet and food intolerances, and how Intoleran can help navigate a happy and healthy path between the two.

a vegan diet can set the stage for intolerant trouble

There are a couple of reasons a vegan diet can lead to more struggles with food intolerances. First, there’s the simple fact that dramatic shifts in a diet can trigger the development of a food intolerance. The change can throw off your system, making it harder to process foods that were digestible with your previous dietary regimen.

Another concern is the over-consumption of specific foods. If you eat a particular food in excessive quantities, it can eventually lead to a negative reaction within your body in the form of an intolerance. This is a common issue for vegans who find their food choices limited and often lean on specific foods too much.

The other obvious concern for vegans is the fact that many food intolerances revolve around foods that are focal points in the vegan diet. For instance:

• Fructose consists of natural sugars found in fruits and vegetables.
• Fructans are in garlic, onion, leeks, and wheat.
• Galactans come in beans, chickpeas, and peas.
• Sucrose and starch are present in fruits, vegetables, bread, rice, and pasta

By embracing a diet that leans on many of these food options, you open the door to exacerbating any pre-existing or potential food intolerances you may have.

the silver lining of a vegan diet

A vegan diet could have a negative impact on your digestion. However, it also has the potential to be a positive influence.

For instance, food intolerances can also be related to non-vegan foods. Lactose intolerance is the best example of this, as it pertains to an intolerance of lactose, which is found in dairy products. If you follow a vegan diet, you cut out lactose, thus eliminating the troublesome food from your daily caloric intake. When your food intolerances line up with a vegan diet, it can be a great way to find lasting relief.

Vegan diets don’t just eliminate troublesome foods, either. There is also a growing body of evidence that a diet high in fiber and low in saturated fats and proteins (like the vegan diet) can be very good for your gut. By bolstering your microbiome and cutting out intolerant foods like lactose, a vegan diet can become a powerful tool to improve your overall quality of life.

As vegans sort through the pros and cons of intolerances within the framework of their diet, it’s important to remember that Intoleran can help. Most of our capsules are vegan, making them accessible to the restrictive lifestyle.