Best At-Home Food Sensitivity Tests

What Are Food Sensitivity Tests?

Food sensitivity tests, also known as food intolerance tests, help measure the body’s immune response after eating certain foods.[1] These tests measure different levels of antibodies, known as immunoglobulin A (IgA) and, mainly, immunoglobulin G (IgG).

Typically, food sensitivity tests are deemed appropriate when people have undesirable food intake symptoms. These are usually gastrointestinal-based and can include abdominal pain, bloating, heartburn, and/or changes to bowel functioning.[1] These tests can help get to the bottom of which foods may be worth limiting and/or removing entirely to optimize better digestive functioning.

What To Look for in an At-Home Food Sensitivity Test

Typically, at-home food sensitivity tests are conducted via a blood sample. Looking for tests that screen for a wide variety of foods but not too many foods is helpful to ensure that you complete a comprehensive option. Looking for tests that screen anywhere from 100 to 200 foods is a good range, and tests should include a screening for all high-allergen foods. Some of these high-allergen foods include dairy-based foods, eggs, seafood, and nuts.[2]

It is also important to look for tests that are produced by scientific, reliable companies. There are several tests on the market, and not all are created equal when it comes to the processing and origin of the testing. Choosing tests that are reviewed by qualified healthcare providers and using certified labs is important for ensuring safety and accuracy in your results. In addition, once the results are processed and obtained, they will be reviewed by practitioners who will then likely relay the next steps to optimize functioning. Choosing companies that have reliable practitioners to relay these results is critical for ensuring that the foods you begin to eliminate are specific and strategic.

If a qualified professional does not evaluate your results, you could be at risk of over-limiting your diet and nutritional intake.[2] Also, the foods you eat consistently affect IgG levels in the body. Therefore, if you consume peanuts consistently, IgG levels could be higher in the blood, but it may not mean that you have a food sensitivity to peanuts. This is why working with a comprehensive team, including dietitians, can better aid you in appropriate next steps.

Top At-Home Food Sensitivity Testing Kits

• Everlywell: Everlywell offers two at-home food sensitivity tests, a basic and a more comprehensive option. The basic food sensitivity test screens for five dairy-based foods, eggs, eleven fruits, ten grain-based foods, five legumes, five meats, eleven seafood, seven nuts and seeds, twenty vegetables, and fifteen spices. Everlywell’s comprehensive test screens for all of the same categories but includes more foods in each category.
• Check my body health: This company offers a complete and essential food sensitivity test option. While these can be a more affordable option, they test hundreds of foods, ranging from 400 to 960 different foods. Research generally does not recommend tests that screen for this many options due to the confusion it can bring about in interpreting results and next steps.[2] This can lead to over-eliminating foods and restricting nutrients in a way that may not be helpful for people.
• My lab box: This is another at-home test option that screens for a similar amount of foods to Everlywell’s basic food sensitivity test. Where this test falls short compared to Everlywell’s is that its results expire after a set window, and turnaround times for results can vary.

  While several companies out there provide affordable at-home testing options, Everlywell consistently is ranked among the top.

Benefits of Testing for Food Sensitivities at Home

Food sensitivity testing at home can have several benefits. First, testing for food sensitivities from the comfort of your home takes the doctor’s office out of the picture. This, for many people, is a more comfortable testing environment.

Second, testing for food sensitivities and/or allergies allows for more peace of mind when understanding the inner workings of your body. Symptoms of food sensitivities can be uncomfortable to live with and to manage. In addition, food sensitivities and allergies can sometimes have overlapping symptoms.[3] By testing at home, you can take the guesswork out of symptoms experienced, giving you more peace of mind. While food allergies can have more severe or life-threatening symptoms, as they involve the immune system, sensitivities typically mainly affect digestion.

Third, testing for food sensitivities at home versus other types of food allergy and/or sensitivity testing is generally considered low risk.[3] The test should come with instructions on how to collect a blood sample safely and where to send it, making this a fairly attainable option.

Differences Between At-Home and Professional Testing

If you choose to have professional food sensitivity testing completed, there are some differences between at-home and professional testing to take note of. First, the testing method may vary.[4] Professional testing may be via skin prick tests at a healthcare provider’s office, where an allergist typically exposes you to high-allergen foods. Then, if the skin reacts, this can be indicative of a food allergy or sensitivity.

Professional testing may also include an oral food challenge in which an allergist may recommend consuming a small amount of a food in a controlled, supervised setting to see how a person reacts.[4] This is often performed to rule out food allergies more often than sensitivities.

Factors To Consider When Choosing a Test

When choosing a food sensitivity test, it is important to consider several factors. Some of these include:

• How you want the testing to take place: If you prefer an at-home test versus a professional test, this can be a good starting point in determining which test is right for you.
• Support provided: Often, people find peace of mind knowing that qualified healthcare providers will be reviewing their results and overseeing care. Choosing a testing option that has the kind of built-in support you need is key for getting follow-up guidance that is both sound and applicable.[4]
• Turnaround time: When people experience food sensitivity symptoms, typically, they experience a lot of nervousness and discomfort. For this reason, choosing a test that has a quicker turnaround time can provide peace of mind, knowing that you can receive results and guidance in a matter of days.

How To Prepare for an At-Home Food Sensitivity Test

Not much up-front work is needed to prepare for an at-home food sensitivity test. Once you decide on a test and order it, it should arrive with clear and concise instructions on how to complete it.

Typically, at-home tests require you to prick your finger to obtain a small blood sample.[2] Once this is done, you follow the corresponding directions to submit the sample to the relevant lab, and it is sent away for screening. This screening will look for the levels of IgG in the blood, and results will be provided.

From there, a good testing option will allow you to follow up with healthcare providers to see the next steps. This often can include elimination diets to see if symptoms subside from removing foods that came back with a high degree of sensitivity.[2] The interpretation of results and next steps should be personalized to you and should be under the supervision of a team of qualified healthcare providers.

Take the Guesswork out of Food Sensitivities With Everlywell

Experiencing food sensitivities can be confusing and uncomfortable. You don’t need to go through this process alone. Take the next steps today with Everlywell’s testing options and get one step closer to a more optimal, healthier you.

1. Li JTC. Food allergy vs. food intolerance: What’s the difference? Mayo Clinic. Published February 28, 2024. Accessed December 13, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
2. Cleveland Clinic. Do At-Home food sensitivity tests work? Try these solutions instead. Published November 15, 2024. Accessed December 13, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
3. MedlinePlus. Food allergy testing. Updated February 28, 2023. Accessed December 13, 2024. Medical Citation URL.
4. American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Food allergy testing and diagnosis. Accessed December 13, 2024. Medical Citation URL.