Food allergy and food intolerance are not the same

Both can affect what you eat, but they need to be approached differently. Understanding what you are managing can help prevent unnecessary food restriction and make nutrition advice more useful.

Food Allergy

Safety comes first

A food allergy involves the immune system. If you have a diagnosed allergy, we can help you avoid the relevant allergen while finding safe alternatives that continue to meet your nutrition needs.

Food Intolerance

Your tolerance may be individual

Food intolerance does not work in the same way as food allergy. Symptoms and the amount of food tolerated can vary, so complete lifelong avoidance is not always necessary.

Unsure?

Start with the right assessment

If you do not know whether your symptoms are caused by an allergy, intolerance or something else, we can work alongside your GP, specialist or allergist while helping you make sense of your food intake.

Dietitians do not replace medical allergy assessment.

If a food allergy is suspected, diagnosis and appropriate allergy testing should be discussed with your GP, allergist or treating medical team. Once you know what needs to be avoided, we can help make the dietary side much easier to manage.

How a food allergy and intolerance dietitian can help

Removing a food can have a bigger impact than expected, particularly when dairy, wheat, egg, soy or several foods are involved. We look beyond the list of foods to avoid and help you build a way of eating that still works day to day.

Food Swaps

Replace what you remove

We can identify practical alternatives so important nutrients are not unintentionally lost when foods or entire food groups need to be excluded.

Food Labels

Shop with more confidence

Learn what to look for on ingredient lists and food labels, including where relevant allergens may appear in packaged foods.

Nutrition

Check that you are getting enough

We can review protein, calcium, iron, fibre, energy and other nutrients that may need extra attention when your food choices become more limited.

Intolerances

Work out what you actually tolerate

Where appropriate, we can help structure dietary changes so you can better understand the relationship between particular foods, portion sizes and your symptoms.

Children

Support growth and family meals

For children with dietary restrictions, we can help parents find suitable alternatives while considering growth, nutrition, feeding development and everyday family meals.

Multiple Restrictions

Make a limited diet less limiting

Managing several allergies or intolerances can quickly reduce food variety. We can help simplify meals and identify suitable foods that remain available to you.

Eating well when foods need to be avoided

A restricted diet does not need to become a complicated diet. We focus on practical choices you can use at home, at the supermarket and when planning meals for yourself or your family.

Understand ingredient labels We can help you become more familiar with ingredient lists and allergen declarations so choosing packaged foods feels more manageable.
Find everyday substitutes Rather than handing you a long list of specialty products, we look for realistic alternatives that suit your usual meals, budget and preferences.
Avoid unnecessary restrictions If a food does not need to be removed, keeping it in your diet can preserve variety and make eating easier. We aim to restrict only what is clinically appropriate.
Build confidence over time Follow-up appointments can help as food products, symptoms, tolerance or dietary needs change.
The goal is not to remove as many foods as possible.

Our focus is identifying what genuinely needs to change, then keeping your remaining diet as varied, nourishing and enjoyable as we can.

Support for suspected food intolerances

Digestive symptoms do not always point clearly to one food. Cutting out several foods at once can make it difficult to work out what is actually contributing.

Review the whole picture We look at your usual food intake, symptoms, timing, portion sizes and any changes you have already tried.
Make targeted changes If a dietary trial is appropriate, we can make the process more structured rather than removing multiple foods without a clear plan.
Find your longer-term approach Where appropriate, foods may be reviewed or reintroduced so your final diet is based on what you personally tolerate rather than a permanent blanket restriction.
Bought an online food intolerance test?

Some commercial tests, including IgG food testing, are promoted as a way to identify food allergy or intolerance. These tests are not recommended by ASCIA for diagnosing food allergy or food intolerance. If you have unexplained symptoms, speak with your GP or an appropriately qualified health professional before making major dietary restrictions.

Food allergies and intolerances in children

Food restrictions can be particularly difficult when a child is already selective with food, attends childcare or school, or needs to avoid several common foods. Nutrition support can help keep meals safe without losing sight of growth, variety and feeding development.

Growth

Keep nutrition on track

We can review whether excluded foods have removed important sources of energy, protein, calcium, iron or other nutrients from your child's usual diet.

Family Meals

Reduce separate meal preparation

Where possible, we help families find meals and ingredients that work for everyone rather than creating a completely separate menu for one child.

Food Variety

Protect the foods that remain

When a child already eats a small range of foods, unnecessary exclusions can make feeding much harder. We work carefully around the foods that genuinely need to be avoided.

What to expect at your appointment

You do not need to arrive with a perfect food diary or know exactly which foods are causing the problem. Bring any relevant medical information or confirmed allergy results you already have.

1 Understand your situation We discuss diagnosed allergies, suspected intolerances, symptoms, foods currently avoided and what you normally eat.
2 Identify the nutrition gaps We look at what may have been lost from your diet and where suitable alternatives or other adjustments may be helpful.
3 Build a practical plan You leave with clearer food choices, suitable swaps and realistic next steps based on your individual needs.

Working alongside your medical team

Food allergy care may involve several health professionals. Our role is to help translate medical advice about food avoidance into a diet that remains practical and nutritionally appropriate.

GP Your GP can investigate symptoms, organise appropriate referrals and help determine whether further medical assessment is needed.
Allergy specialist An allergist or clinical immunologist can assess suspected food allergy and determine what testing or medical management is appropriate.
Dietitian We help you put the dietary recommendations into practice and make sure excluded foods are replaced appropriately.
Severe allergic reactions require emergency treatment.

If someone develops signs of anaphylaxis, follow their ASCIA Action Plan, give their prescribed adrenaline device if available and call 000 for an ambulance. Dietitian appointments are not a substitute for emergency or medical allergy care.

Access dietitian support your way

Appointment options vary by location and availability. Our Client Care Team can help you choose an option that suits you or your family.

Clinic appointments

See one of our dietitians at selected clinic locations across South East Queensland.

Telehealth

Access dietitian support from home through telehealth appointments available across Australia.

Selected home visits

Home visits may be available within selected service areas where attending a clinic is difficult.

View Appointment Options
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Individual dietary advice
Support based on your diagnosed allergies, symptoms, food preferences and current diet.
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Practical food alternatives
Realistic substitutions designed around foods you can actually use at home.
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Less unnecessary restriction
A focus on keeping your diet as varied as your medical needs allow.

Food allergy and intolerance FAQs

What is the difference between a food allergy and food intolerance?

A food allergy involves an immune reaction to a food and can potentially cause a severe allergic reaction. Food intolerance does not involve the immune system in the same way and often causes symptoms that vary depending on the food and amount eaten.

Can a dietitian diagnose a food allergy?

A dietitian can assess your nutritional intake and help you manage dietary restrictions, but suspected food allergy requires appropriate medical assessment. Your GP or allergy specialist can advise you about diagnosis and allergy testing.

Should I cut foods out before seeing a health professional?

Unless you have already been medically advised to avoid a food because of an allergic reaction, making large dietary exclusions without guidance can make assessment harder and may reduce your nutritional intake. Speak with your medical team if you suspect a food allergy.

Can you help with lactose intolerance?

Yes. The amount of lactose tolerated can vary considerably between people. We can help you explore suitable dairy choices or alternatives while making sure nutrients such as calcium and protein remain covered.

What if I need to avoid several foods?

Multiple exclusions can make it more difficult to maintain food variety and meet nutrition needs. We can review what remains in your diet, identify useful alternatives and help make everyday meals easier to manage.

Are IgG food intolerance tests reliable?

ASCIA does not recommend IgG food testing for diagnosing food allergy or food intolerance. If you have ongoing symptoms, it is better to discuss them with your GP and use an evidence-based assessment process rather than removing foods based on an IgG result.

Can children see a dietitian for food allergies?

Yes. Dietitian support can be particularly useful when a child needs to avoid milk, wheat or several foods, or when dietary restrictions are affecting growth, food variety or family meals.

Can I see a dietitian by telehealth?

Yes. Simply Nutrition offers telehealth dietitian appointments across Australia, including support for food allergies, food intolerances and restricted diets.

Do I need a referral?

You can contact our team directly about an appointment. Referrals from GPs, specialists and other health professionals can also be submitted to our team.

Need help making sense of what you can eat?

Get practical dietitian support with food allergies, intolerances, suitable alternatives, food labels and maintaining a balanced diet.

Submit a Referral Contact Our Team
Good Humans. Great Dietitians. Ready To Support You.  
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