Gut & food reactions
Food allergies and intolerances: eat safely, eat widely
Whether you've been diagnosed with an allergy or suspect a food doesn't agree with you, the goal is the same — avoid what you must, and keep everything else on the menu.
at a glance
- Format
- Online, or in person in Mumbai
- First session
- Usually 45–60 minutes
- With
- Dt. Irika Goyal
Who this is for
- Adults and children with diagnosed food allergies, such as peanut, tree nut, milk, egg, wheat or shellfish
- People with lactose intolerance
- People with coeliac disease
- Anyone who suspects a food intolerance and wants a structured way to find out
What we can work on together
- Reading ingredient lists and allergen declarations on packaged food
- Eating out, travelling and festive meals
- Replacing nutrients when a food group is removed — calcium without dairy, for example
- A structured elimination and reintroduction for suspected intolerances
- Avoiding unnecessary restriction, especially for children
The approach
How Irika approaches food allergies and intolerances
Diagnosis first
Food allergies should be diagnosed by a doctor or allergist using a clinical history and validated tests. Unvalidated tests such as IgG food panels aren't recommended for diagnosing allergy.
Safety plan
If you're at risk of a severe reaction, your doctor will give you an emergency plan. I help with the everyday side — what to buy, cook and order.
Keep the menu wide
Every food removed should be removed for a reason. We protect variety and nutrition so the diet doesn't shrink more than it has to.
What happens next
Say hello on WhatsApp
A line about what you'd like help with is plenty. You'll get available times and current fees before anything is booked.
Your first consultation
Usually 45–60 minutes, online or in person in Mumbai. We go through your health, routine and goals.
Your personalised plan
Built around your food, your kitchen and your week — shared with you digitally.
Follow-ups that adjust
Shorter check-ins (20–30 minutes) to review progress and fine-tune the plan.
Questions
Common questions about food allergies and intolerances
What's the difference between an allergy and an intolerance?
A food allergy involves the immune system and can be serious, even life-threatening. An intolerance usually affects digestion — such as lactose intolerance — and is uncomfortable but not dangerous.
Can you test me for allergies?
No. Allergy diagnosis is done by a doctor or allergist. Once you have a diagnosis, I help you eat safely and well around it.
Should I go gluten-free?
Only if you have coeliac disease, a diagnosed wheat allergy, or a clear reason identified with guidance. If coeliac disease is suspected, get tested before cutting out gluten — the test needs you to still be eating it.
If I avoid dairy, how do I get enough calcium?
From foods such as ragi, sesame, fortified plant milks, tofu set with calcium, and some leafy greens. We'll check your intake and decide whether a supplement is needed.
Sources & further reading
Guidance on this page draws on the following. Links open external websites.
- 1.Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of food allergy in the United States (NIAID expert panel) — Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2010
- 2.Food allergy — NHS
- 3.Food intolerance — NHS
- 4.Coeliac disease — NHS
Keep exploring
ready when you are
Let's find an approach that works for your real life.
Send a message on WhatsApp with a line about your goals. You'll hear back with available times and current fees — no pressure, no obligation.
Prefer email? health.e.living23@gmail.com