Since it’s weirdly come up multiple times today: food you DON’T LIKE as a preference shouldn’t make you feel SICK. If eating, smelling, or being near a food makes your throat itch or makes you sick to your stomach or otherwise puts you in discomfort, that’s not a “dislike.”

A lot of people with allergies and food sensitivities, especially to foods that are not usually triggers for either, are led to believe it’s normal for a food you “dislike” to make you feel sick. It’s not.

I *dislike* cooked bell peppers. I don’t like the flavor and find them overpowering in most dishes. They don’t make me feel sick; I just don’t want to eat them. I am *allergic* to bananas. If I smell them or they are in something I eat, I will get wheezy and sometimes nauseous.

As kids, or people who haven’t had a lot of exposure to different kinds of food, saying “this makes me sick” is often followed with admonishment that we are being picky or over dramatic about a preference.

Some people ARE very dramatic about preferences! But if you *really* feel sick when you are around or eating a food, you are not picky! That is a medical concern and you should not feel bad about avoiding it or asking others to keep it away from you. See a doctor if you can!

Even if you just feel a little sick and it’s not a big deal, it could become a big deal as many allergies and sensitivities are exacerbated with time or exposure. You don’t owe anyone your health and you don’t need to eat stuff that makes you feel unwell just to be polite.

This is an important thing to remember as we move into winter holiday time. It’s even okay to ask folks to leave holiday favorites off the table if they make you unwell.

It can be helpful for treatment purposes to know if you have an allergy or a sensitivity. Note I am not a doctor and there are always outliers.

—Wheezing, coughing, swelling, watery eyes, rashes, dizziness, shortness of breath are usually caused by allergies

—Bloating, fatigue, diarrhea, gas, migraines, are usually caused by sensitivities

—Nausea and vomiting are often caused by both.

—Allergic reactions usually happen while consuming or even before consuming the allergen.

—Sensitivities usually happen after eating, and during or after digestion of the trigger food.

Figuring out which one you have can help keep you safe!

If you experience any of these things regularly from being around or eating a food, definitely consult a doctor if you can!