Did you know that fear of food might actually create intolerance? Now, no one is saying intolerance symptoms are “all in your head” because they’re not...but the nervous system is definitely involved. Fear is a full body reaction and the stories we hear about certain foods can imprint that fear on to our nervous (read: "limbic") system. Wendy Busse knows that well: In dealing with clients who fell into what she calls “Conditioned Food Sensitivity,” the registered dietitian noticed people were both suffering from very real symptoms and only eating a handful of foods: one client had even eliminated all but 2 foods. So Wendy decided she wanted to understand this phenomenon and, shortly after, developed a program called The Food Avoidance and Sensitivity Trap Freedom Program.
About Wendy:
Wendy is a registered dietitian and food sensitivity expert (for over 25-years!). She is the FAST Freedom Program director: FAST = Food Avoidance & Sensitivity Trap. Wendy and her dietitian partners help food sensitive people rebuild body and food trust so they can expand their diet and enjoy the simple pleasures of a good meal.
On this episode we chat about:

The difference between food allergies, food intolerance, and food sensitivity. What causes each of these reactions?

The two reasons symptoms can appear: physically driven reactions (e.g. celiac disease, peanut anaphylaxis) and conditioned food sensitivity (e.g. learned, fear-based reactions)

Why there is no universal diet. Pssst: it’s all trends

Conditioned Food Sensitivity: a Pavlovian concept describing body/food mistrust and spiraling food avoidance

How the fear of food or the expectation that specific foods will cause reactions may cause real physiological symptoms

Why advice constantly changes and why that can cause confusion and suffering

How the limbic system, a part of our brain that controls our fight-or-flight response, can suppress our immune system

How to stop ruminating about food. (Have you ever heard of a scrap paper journal?)


Wendy and I connected over our mutual exasperation of elimination diets gone wrong and her insights put everything into perspective … restrictive diets almost always cause more harm than good and Wendy dives into the nerdy science with me to explain why that is. Her grace (She calls herself “old-fashioned” but she’s really just classy!) and compassion both shine right through in this episode and I’m so excited for you to hear it!
Learned something new? Have questions?
Keep the conversation going on Instagram: screenshot this episode and be sure to tag us @theallsortpod @wendy.fastfreedomprogram
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Connect with Wendy:
Wendy’s Website: wendybusse.com
Wendy’s F.A.S.T. Freedom Program: fastfreedomprogram.com
Wendy’s Conditioned Food Sensitivity Podcast
Wendy’s Instagram: @wendy.fastfreedomprogram
Wendy’s Recommendations:
Dr. Janice Joneja: Dealing with Food Allergies: A Practical Guide to Detecting Culprit Foods and Eating a Healthy, Enjoyable Diet