This One Trick Cut My Food Flare-ups By Over Half

It’s not a supplement or a test — it’s just a question. And it works.

Photo by Anna Przepiorka on Unsplash

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A few weeks ago, I ate something I was intolerant to.

That was stupid, you might say. Why did you do that?

The thing is—I don’t know what it was or where it came from.

This is how it often goes.

I eat something I think is safe. It might even taste amazing. But then I start to feel off. That mild discomfort turns into pain. My jeans suddenly don’t fit. I feel rubbish. And when it’s really bad, I’m wiped out—on the sofa for days.

If you’ve been through this, you’ll know: the full effects can last for weeks.

Everything you eat afterwards seems to upset your body. It’s like your whole system has gone into defence mode.

Playing Food Detective (Again)

So I start playing detective. Tearing apart the last few days, trying to recall every bite with my middle-aged brain.

Did it start before or after the brownie—the one that was allegedly gluten-free? Or maybe it was that salad grain—marketed as gluten-free but… was it, really?

Frustration bubbles up. Not being able to figure it out. Feeling angry at myself.

And still, somehow, grateful that this is just an intolerance—and not something more serious.

You're Not Alone

More people than ever are living with food intolerances.

In 2024, approximately 12% of survey respondents in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland reported having a food intolerance.
Source: Statista

At Yes! You Can Eat This, I talk about food intolerances and dietary preferences. Whether you're veggie, vegan, or simply someone who prefers no olives—it's all valid. And it all matters.

And there is an interesting thing that can happen to people with food preferences.

“At some point, dietary preferences can become intolerances.”

Recently a long-time vegan friend reminded me of this. When you haven’t had milk, cheese, or meat for years, your body can start reacting to them as though they’re something dangerous. It can be just as uncomfortable—if not worse.

But Why Don’t You Always Know What You’ve Eaten?

Good question.

It comes down to changing taste buds—and that complicated organ we call the brain.

A quick story…

In my early twenties, I worked in the US and attended a fancy awards dinner. I was just vegetarian then, so it should’ve been simple enough. But this was Tennessee in the early ’90s. Not much on the menu. I went for the stuffed baked potato.

I took a bite. Then another. There were flavours my taste buds couldn’t place—smoky, chewy—and my brain kept turning it over, trying to label it. But nothing came.

A few hours later, I was nauseous, clammy, and very unwell.

Turns out, I’d just eaten meat for the first time in years.

And my brain hadn’t even recognised it.

The Trick That Changed Everything

It took me years of repeat flare-ups before I discovered a trick that now prevents more than 50% of them.

I call it the double question.

It’s so simple, it’s easy to overlook—but it’s saved me weeks of discomfort a year.

Here’s how it works:

When ordering in restaurants, they’ll often ask if you have any allergies or intolerances. Great.

But kitchens are busy places. Waiters are juggling tables. Things fall through the cracks.

So I do one extra thing that changes everything.

When your food arrives, ask again:
"Just wanted to check, this is the dairy/gluten/nut-free/veggie/vegan/plant-based option?"

Three things usually happen:

They might proudly show you the flag or sticker on your plate marking it friendly enough for your needs.

They might frown, stare up at the ceiling then quickly go back to check with the chef.

They might look at the thick piece of toasted sourdough with cheese melting over the sides and realise that there is no earthy way that this is the free form or dietary friendly dish you ordered and whisk it away before the scent has time to torture you.

But the outcome is the same. You have significantly cut your chances of eating something that will disagree with you.

If you feel uncomfortable asking it twice - just remember how uncomfortable you could feel if you don’t.

Just saying… :-)

Is this something you already do? Or will start to do? Share your thoughts - I would love to hear from you.

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