Understanding Food Allergies vs Intolerances
Food intolerances are different from food allergies. Whilst allergies trigger an immune system response, intolerances typically cause digestive and other symptoms that can be delayed and harder to identify.
Common symptoms of food intolerances include:
- Bloating and stomach discomfort
- Digestive issues (IBS-like symptoms)
- Headaches or migraines
- Skin reactions (rashes, eczema)
- Fatigue and brain fog
- Joint pain
Important: NutraSafe is a food diary and pattern tracker, not a medical diagnostic tool. Always consult your GP or healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment of food allergies or intolerances.
Common Food Intolerances in the UK
The most common food intolerances in the UK include:
- Lactose intolerance: Difficulty digesting dairy products
- Gluten sensitivity: Reactions to wheat, barley, and rye (non-coeliac)
- Histamine intolerance: Sensitivity to aged or fermented foods
- Food additive sensitivities: Reactions to preservatives, colourings, or flavourings
- FODMAP sensitivity: Difficulty digesting certain carbohydrates
- Caffeine sensitivity: Adverse reactions to coffee, tea, or energy drinks
How to Track Food Intolerances (and Allergies) in One App
Identifying food intolerances requires careful observation and record-keeping. The traditional method involves keeping a food diary and noting symptoms, but this can be time-consuming and difficult to analyse.
NutraSafe simplifies this process by:
- Automatic food logging: Scan barcodes or search foods to quickly log meals
- Symptom tracking: Record how you feel after eating, including timing and severity
- Pattern recognition: NutraSafe identifies which foods appear before reactions
- Ingredient analysis: See exactly what's in each food, including hidden additives
How NutraSafe's Food Reaction Tracker Works
1. Log Your Meals
Scan barcodes or search for foods to add them to your food diary. NutraSafe shows complete ingredient lists, additives, and nutritional information for thousands of UK products.
2. Record Reactions
When you notice symptoms, log them in the app. Record:
- Type of reaction (digestive, skin, headache, etc.)
- Severity (mild, moderate, severe)
- Timing (how long after eating)
- Additional notes
3. Discover Patterns
NutraSafe analyses your food diary and reactions to identify patterns. See which foods frequently appear before symptoms, helping you spot trigger foods and ingredients.
4. Make Informed Choices
Use your insights to make dietary changes. Check ingredients before buying products, and build a personalised list of foods that work for your body.
Beyond Food Intolerance Tracking
NutraSafe isn't just a food intolerance tracker. It's a complete food intelligence app with features including:
Additive & E-Number Scanner
Identify all food additives and E-numbers in products. Some food additives trigger reactions in sensitive individuals — NutraSafe helps you spot them instantly.
Allergen Detection
Check for the 14 major allergens recognised in UK law: gluten, crustaceans, eggs, fish, peanuts, soya, milk, nuts, celery, mustard, sesame, sulphites, lupin, and molluscs.
Nutrition Tracking
Monitor calories, macros (protein, carbs, fats), and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Track daily and weekly intake to ensure you're meeting nutritional needs whilst avoiding trigger foods.
Intermittent Fasting
Track fasting windows for 16:8, 18:6, or custom schedules. Many people find intermittent fasting helps with digestive issues and food sensitivities.
Food Expiry Tracking
Track use-by dates and reduce food waste. Get reminders before food expires, especially useful when following restricted diets.
Start Your Food Reaction Diary
Log meals, symptoms, and triggers with a UK-focused allergy & intolerance app. Barcode scanner + reaction diary = faster answers.
Download Free on iOSFrequently Asked Questions
Both. NutraSafe works as a food allergy checker (barcode scanner for ingredients/additives/allergens) and as a food intolerance tracker with a reaction diary and symptom logging.
Most people need 2-4 weeks of consistent tracking to spot patterns. Record every meal and symptom (bloating, headaches, skin reactions) so NutraSafe can surface likely triggers.
No. NutraSafe helps you correlate foods and symptoms but is not a medical diagnostic tool. Consult your GP or a registered dietitian for diagnosis and treatment.
Scanning, basic logging, and reaction tracking are free. Premium (from £2.99/month) adds deeper pattern analysis, ingredient insights, and reports.
Last updated: February 2026