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Food Without Fear: Identify, Prevent, and Treat Food Allergies, Intolerances, and Sensitivities
A world-renowned researcher and physician offers a groundbreaking approach to identifying an entire spectrum of food-related health conditions, from allergies to sensitivities, and what we can do about them. A breathtaking one in five people in the U.S. has a health condition related to food—from disruptive sensitivities and intolerances to serious allergic reactions that can send them to the ER. These food-related problems are on a historic rise across all ages. And the spectrum of these ailments is wide and deep, with many tricky “masqueraders” in the mix to create a lot of confusion, potential misdiagnoses, and faulty or poor treatment—and immeasurable suffering for millions of people. The good Dr. Ruchi Gupta, on the front lines of this silent epidemic, now shares revolutionary research from her lab and clinical practice. In Food Without Fear , Dr. Gupta illuminates this misunderstood spectrum and offers a new approach to managing adverse reactions to food with a practical plan to end the misery and enjoy eating with ease.
This panoramic view empowers you to know what questions to ask your doctor to get the correct diagnosis. From debunking common myths (an allergy and an intolerance aren’t the same thing—but both can have life-threatening consequences) to identifying masqueraders, to understanding triggers (including environmental factors), as well as the microbiome’s role in adverse food reactions, these pages hold the answers. Using a framework of Identify and Empower, Treat, Manage and Prevent, and Thrive, Food Without Fear offers hope, help—and food freedom—to the millions of people who so need it.
Developed by world-renowned researcher Dr. Ruchi Gupta, this revolutionary spectrum approach empowers and informs so you can take charge of your health. In Food Without Fear , you’ll Offering assessments, information on the most up-to-date treatments, and practical tips for keeping yourself safe, Food Without Fear welcomes you back to the table.
This panoramic view empowers you to know what questions to ask your doctor to get the correct diagnosis. From debunking common myths (an allergy and an intolerance aren’t the same thing—but both can have life-threatening consequences) to identifying masqueraders, to understanding triggers (including environmental factors), as well as the microbiome’s role in adverse food reactions, these pages hold the answers. Using a framework of Identify and Empower, Treat, Manage and Prevent, and Thrive, Food Without Fear offers hope, help—and food freedom—to the millions of people who so need it.
Developed by world-renowned researcher Dr. Ruchi Gupta, this revolutionary spectrum approach empowers and informs so you can take charge of your health. In Food Without Fear , you’ll Offering assessments, information on the most up-to-date treatments, and practical tips for keeping yourself safe, Food Without Fear welcomes you back to the table.
352 pages, Hardcover
Published August 24, 2021
30 people are currently reading
1385 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 3, 2021
This book was received as an ARC from Hachette Go in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.
Knowing a few of my family and friends who have various food allergies especially nuts and gluten. Dr. Ruchi Gupta does an excellent job explaining why some foods react to the body in harmful ways causing an allergic reaction and he dos a wonderful job distinguishing the three of an allergy, intolerance, and sensitivity. While reading this book, I have always know I was mildly lactose intolerant but after reading, I know there is no such thing and I just have a sensitivity to some dairy products. We get questions at the library all the time about food allergies and I am so relieved that I found another great resource to recommend.
We will consider adding this title to our R Non-Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
Knowing a few of my family and friends who have various food allergies especially nuts and gluten. Dr. Ruchi Gupta does an excellent job explaining why some foods react to the body in harmful ways causing an allergic reaction and he dos a wonderful job distinguishing the three of an allergy, intolerance, and sensitivity. While reading this book, I have always know I was mildly lactose intolerant but after reading, I know there is no such thing and I just have a sensitivity to some dairy products. We get questions at the library all the time about food allergies and I am so relieved that I found another great resource to recommend.
We will consider adding this title to our R Non-Fiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.
June 30, 2021
Food Without Fear is an in depth look into the world food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities. It has information on the differences of these ailments, and which doctors and tests to seek out to get properly diagnosed. I found it interesting that eczema was referred to throughout the book as an indicator for food allergies, something I have suspected in my own life for a long time. It is time for me to deal with the intolerances or allergies (or maybe both) that I have had my entire adult life, and now I am armed with the knowledge I need to start down that path.
September 5, 2021
***I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway***
I have no recollection of entering this giveaway or winning it so I was quite surprised when the book showed up in the mail. Ce la vie.
The food allergy (and intolerance and sensitivity and various GI diseases) world seems to be full of people who either think it's not "real" unless it involves an epi-pen and those who think every single thing is a "toxin" and both of those groups are a little insane. I really enjoyed how this book took a much more even handed approach; they defined the terms, explained the biology of allergies vs intolerance, etc, and made it clear that ANYTHING that affects your quality of life is something worth figuring out. I really dig that mindset.
I learned some things from this book but felt the author relied very heavily on her own research and I would have liked to hear more about other researchers or counter viewpoints. It was also very repetitive...if this is a topic of interest to you, I recommend jumping around to the sections that are most relevant and not reading it cover to cover.
I have no recollection of entering this giveaway or winning it so I was quite surprised when the book showed up in the mail. Ce la vie.
The food allergy (and intolerance and sensitivity and various GI diseases) world seems to be full of people who either think it's not "real" unless it involves an epi-pen and those who think every single thing is a "toxin" and both of those groups are a little insane. I really enjoyed how this book took a much more even handed approach; they defined the terms, explained the biology of allergies vs intolerance, etc, and made it clear that ANYTHING that affects your quality of life is something worth figuring out. I really dig that mindset.
I learned some things from this book but felt the author relied very heavily on her own research and I would have liked to hear more about other researchers or counter viewpoints. It was also very repetitive...if this is a topic of interest to you, I recommend jumping around to the sections that are most relevant and not reading it cover to cover.
February 11, 2024
Comprehensive, easy-to-read volume on the current state of food allergies and sensitivities in the US and beyond. Gupta is a wonderful resource and is making meaningful changes in this scary and growing field of medicine. I'm so grateful for her work and the work of her team at Northwestern.
February 11, 2022
This book is great bc it gives expert and specific information about allergies but from a systems and personalized health perspective.
My kids both have eczema and do not have food allergies yet. I myself have had gut issues and unclear intolerances for a decade that have flared up and calmed down at various points.
It was useful reading any method of decreasing overall systemic inflammation is seen as important for managing allergies and the “atopic March”.
This book helped me continue on the preventative approach with my kids and alleviated my own anxiety about food. It helped me feel my approach to eliminating gluten and limiting other common sensitivities to be on the safe side for now isn’t pseudoscientific or overkill, but good sense. I’ve struggled with iron deficiency for a decade despite good diet and suspect food sensitivities and gut issues to be the main culprit.
I would have loved to have read more about the connection between asthma and diet as well. Eliminating wheat has helped my asthma symptoms significantly.
My kids both have eczema and do not have food allergies yet. I myself have had gut issues and unclear intolerances for a decade that have flared up and calmed down at various points.
It was useful reading any method of decreasing overall systemic inflammation is seen as important for managing allergies and the “atopic March”.
This book helped me continue on the preventative approach with my kids and alleviated my own anxiety about food. It helped me feel my approach to eliminating gluten and limiting other common sensitivities to be on the safe side for now isn’t pseudoscientific or overkill, but good sense. I’ve struggled with iron deficiency for a decade despite good diet and suspect food sensitivities and gut issues to be the main culprit.
I would have loved to have read more about the connection between asthma and diet as well. Eliminating wheat has helped my asthma symptoms significantly.
October 27, 2022
The stars are solely for the info about introducing foods to babies and how our understanding of that has changed over the last couple of decades.
Author says, according to the subtitle, she is going to address food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities. However, allergies are the main subject and only a small amount of info is given about intolerances and sensitivities. I understand that stance since they’re not life-threatening and therefore not as urgent, but they are still important. The author poo-poos IgG testing because there aren’t enough reliable studies to show its efficacy. Then she dedicates a chapter to the history of allergy care which highlights the decades of time that allergies didn’t have reliable studies to back them up and yet, here we are, allergies are an undeniable part of reality and there are all kinds of studies. She waxes poetic about all the advances that have come about and how there are so many things that we still don’t know and all the studies that are being conducted. But only in regard to allergies (and don’t follow any other ideas about food! There aren’t studies to back them up!). Intolerances and sensitivities…well, you’re on your own there. Just monitor your symptoms! Do a food challenge with your local allergist! Uh, what if you have no known symptoms except a general feeling of being hit by a truck every few mornings. Not very specific. And paying out-of-pocket to an allergist to I.D. an intolerance? Not gonna happen. She wants to highlight all about food equity and equity in general and racial disparities in allergy care. But for heavens sake, don’t avoid a food you think your body doesn’t tolerate! You risk an unbalanced diet! You must pay a professional! Don’t pay for an IgG blood test to I.D. potential intolerances so that you can selectively remove foods from your diet and see if your life improves! That would be wrong!
And don’t get me started about the fact that she outright states that rural communities have way fewer allergies than urban ones, but she has no clue why or what we can do about it. Face it, lady, modern cities are not built for humans. They are destructive and no one should live in them. The small(er) community is the future.
Bottom line: if you or your child has a food allergy, this may be helpful. If you have any other issues with food, this book will not help you. If you want to have some advice on introducing food to an infant, slightly helpful.
Also, the author uses the term “Latinx.” I seriously doubt her ability to think rationally.
Author says, according to the subtitle, she is going to address food allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities. However, allergies are the main subject and only a small amount of info is given about intolerances and sensitivities. I understand that stance since they’re not life-threatening and therefore not as urgent, but they are still important. The author poo-poos IgG testing because there aren’t enough reliable studies to show its efficacy. Then she dedicates a chapter to the history of allergy care which highlights the decades of time that allergies didn’t have reliable studies to back them up and yet, here we are, allergies are an undeniable part of reality and there are all kinds of studies. She waxes poetic about all the advances that have come about and how there are so many things that we still don’t know and all the studies that are being conducted. But only in regard to allergies (and don’t follow any other ideas about food! There aren’t studies to back them up!). Intolerances and sensitivities…well, you’re on your own there. Just monitor your symptoms! Do a food challenge with your local allergist! Uh, what if you have no known symptoms except a general feeling of being hit by a truck every few mornings. Not very specific. And paying out-of-pocket to an allergist to I.D. an intolerance? Not gonna happen. She wants to highlight all about food equity and equity in general and racial disparities in allergy care. But for heavens sake, don’t avoid a food you think your body doesn’t tolerate! You risk an unbalanced diet! You must pay a professional! Don’t pay for an IgG blood test to I.D. potential intolerances so that you can selectively remove foods from your diet and see if your life improves! That would be wrong!
And don’t get me started about the fact that she outright states that rural communities have way fewer allergies than urban ones, but she has no clue why or what we can do about it. Face it, lady, modern cities are not built for humans. They are destructive and no one should live in them. The small(er) community is the future.
Bottom line: if you or your child has a food allergy, this may be helpful. If you have any other issues with food, this book will not help you. If you want to have some advice on introducing food to an infant, slightly helpful.
Also, the author uses the term “Latinx.” I seriously doubt her ability to think rationally.
April 23, 2022
This book is extremely informative. My biggest issue is that because it was information dense and the writing style wasn't particularly engaging, it did come across as a bit dry. I read textbooks for leisure, so I'm not adverse to dense material, but the writing in this book just didn't resonate with me as well as I anticipated. Food intolerances and gut issues are discussed a little in the book, but the main emphasis is food allergies. It was interesting to read the latest findings on the frontlines as the author works in the field. I particularly enjoyed the recommendations for babies on how to avoid food allergies. Overall, a nice book, just not as personally relevant and engaging as I had expected.
September 30, 2021
Excellent book about food allergies
I cannot say enough good things about this book. The author explains things in a way that can be easily understandable.She discusses the theories behind the “ Allergy epidemic “ and management starting in infancy. No need to search many websites for very useful information.
Dr Gupta explains about food intolerances also. There is so much to learn about that itself.
I started reading this book as I have a grandchild with food allergies. I feel better empowered to navigate this area and manage emergencies.
Thank you, Dr Gupta!
I cannot say enough good things about this book. The author explains things in a way that can be easily understandable.She discusses the theories behind the “ Allergy epidemic “ and management starting in infancy. No need to search many websites for very useful information.
Dr Gupta explains about food intolerances also. There is so much to learn about that itself.
I started reading this book as I have a grandchild with food allergies. I feel better empowered to navigate this area and manage emergencies.
Thank you, Dr Gupta!
October 11, 2024
Very informative book about food allergies and intolerances. It is scientific without being difficult to understand. The bullet point summary at the end of each chapter helps to reinforce the new ideas. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants more information about food allergies or sensitivities. There is limited information about seasonal allergies, allergic contact dermatitis, or genetic disorders that may require food avoidance. I would have liked more information about these topics.
October 3, 2021
Lots of information to take in, but I found myself zoning out since so much of it felt like preemptively helping your children work through their allergies and what you can do to help them not get allergies in the first place. I found quite a few good resources, but mostly this book felt like the future could be bright...for someone else. I imagine many will read this with greater care and hope, mayhaps much is lost in translation through the audiobook VS cold hard pages of research.
November 20, 2021
* I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway *
I'm so glad I won this book. This book is very informative on food allergies and sensitivities. I enjoyed reading it, since I am sensitive to certain foods myself and have a brother who is allergic to almost everything. It is a good reference book about this subject.
I'm so glad I won this book. This book is very informative on food allergies and sensitivities. I enjoyed reading it, since I am sensitive to certain foods myself and have a brother who is allergic to almost everything. It is a good reference book about this subject.
December 11, 2021
Good read for my allergic friends. My food fears stem from autoimmune problems, whereas this book primarily concerns those who have allergies. Nonetheless there is a lot in this book that I found helpful.
December 30, 2022
Much needed info on food allergies. I’ve had them for decades with reactions becoming more and more dangerous. Doctors I’ve consulted never suggested food allergies. Reading this book gives me courage.
June 14, 2023
Definitely good nuggets. I’m going on 25 years with food allergies/sensitivities so all I really got out of it was my anxiety is legit. If you’re newly dealing with food allergies/sensitivities, this book could very well be life-changing.
November 12, 2021
Very good information
November 9, 2022
Dnf. There was a lot of good information in this book but I was more interested in food sensitivities and intolerances. This is really about food allergies.
May 5, 2023
Great book if you need to deal with allergic reactions or food intolerances.
December 10, 2024
good for allergies but it didn’t give as much information on intolerances and sensitivity as expected
February 17, 2025
Great information! This book covers everything surrounding allergies and gives confidence and empowerment to families that deal with allergies or sensitivities. Highly recommend this one!
February 22, 2025
В мире очень много аллергиков, а исследования говорят, что их становится ещё больше. Аллергию уже порой называют чуть ли не главной болезнью наших поколений. В моём детстве мы на день рождения угощали вкусняшками весь класс, а нынче чтобы на день рождения детей передать что-то в школу, нужно проверить список из нескольких десятков аллергенов, потому проще вообще ничего не передавать, чтобы наверняка.
У меня у самого с детства была непереносимость нескольких продуктов. Например, от капусты у меня начинались очень неприятные ощущения, которые было принято называть изжогой (хотя теперь я уже знаю, что изжога проявляется несколько иначе).
Далее: https://knari.by/2025/02/22/allergiya...
У меня у самого с детства была непереносимость нескольких продуктов. Например, от капусты у меня начинались очень неприятные ощущения, которые было принято называть изжогой (хотя теперь я уже знаю, что изжога проявляется несколько иначе).
Далее: https://knari.by/2025/02/22/allergiya...
August 23, 2024
There is SO much misinformation about food allergies and how they differ from intolerances/sensitivities - this is a great resource, recommended by our allergist's office when our kiddo was first diagnosed. Dives into all the nuts and bolts basics plus reviews more modern treatment options like Oral Immunotherapy.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews