Why I Stepped Away from Histamine Intolerance Counselling

Updated: May 2020

Histamine intolerance is a challenging practice area. Clients often want detailed information, such as accurate food histamine tables and precise diet plans. Unfortunately, this area is not an exact science, and I was frustrated that I could not give my clients the information they wanted. Additionally, the dietary restrictions were often increasing clients’ sensitivities and disrupting their quality of life.

My interest in the mind-body connection started when clients talked about the helpful habits that improved their food tolerance (e.g. reduced internet research, positive thoughts/affirmations about food, etc.). I began weaving these concepts into my resources and initiating these conversations with clients. Over time, my resources became heavily focused on the mind-body connection, and it was apparent this was my true calling.  Over a few years, this path led to the FAST Freedom Program. I put my histamine intolerance information on the public side of my website (this blog!) and continued to work on my mind-body resources. 

To better understand this mind-body connection, I reviewed the fascinating research on behavioural conditioning of the immune system. Surprisingly, very few professionals were talking about this topic. I created the terms conditioned food hypersensitivity and the Food Avoidance & Sensitivity Trap to propose how worry and avoidance can initiate and sustain food hypersensitivity. 

In summary, once I discovered that my true passion was helping people make peace with food and expand their diet, promoting restricted diets (e.g. low histamine) did not feel right.