Food Allergies in Humans--Chicken?

Question

I have recently started paying attention to how I feel after eating. In the past im sure that I have had the same reactions but being in eating disorder recovery I have just passed it off as triggers and guilt. However the past two times I've eating chicken I have immeadiatly felt like vomiting and I get a really bad headache as well as the feeling of indigestion.
Since I don't eat red meat and most of the time don't eat seafood I used to eat chicken a lot. But when I moved away from home this past August my consumption has greatly decreased.
So I was wondering if these are symptoms of food allergy or if something else is going on with my body?

Answer 1

Its possible that it is a food allergy, but its probably not very severe YET. I would see a doctor and get some food allergy testing done.

Eating disorders and food allergies can go hand in hand sometimes, as allergic reactions can cause all sorts of problems in people. From mild things like vomiting and headaches, to mental perception problems, to life-threatening issues.

It could be that the core issue (where this all started) of your eating disorder, is an underlying food allergy or even multiple food allergies. Where over time your body's signals to your brain of "don't eat this food" got mixed up in your head, and caused an eating disorder.

Since allergic reactions cause a whole variety of different symptoms, and each persons reactions are different from everyone else.. Sometimes these things can go undiagnosed for years. http://www.womentowomen.com/inflammation/allergysymptoms.aspx
(just look under Digestive & Weight, then under Emotions on that site - compulsive behavior)

Now I'm not saying that your eating disorder is 100% caused by food allergies, or that all eating disorders are caused by allergies.. But quite often there is a link.

It's also possible that your eating disorder caused some internal damage which has caused your body to react inappropriately with food.. food sensitivity/allergy. However, I'm more in the camp that you probably had the food sensitivity/allergy first.

Do bring this up with your doctor, and get it checked out. Not everything is always in your head. :)

Answer 2

It technically may be a food intolerance instead of an allergy. My mother and I are both allergic to chicken and turkey. It gives me severe diarrhea for three days. I can eat any other meat as long as it is not poultry. A food intolerance will not show up in allergy tests.

Answer 3

I don't think it's a food allergy. You're just not used to the chemicals and hormones that are found in chicken. I've been a vegetarian for many years and I can really make myself sick if I eat any animal products except for eggs and dairy.