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If you’d like to book a session or chat about how I can support you, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me, Sarah Woodward, at Cheltenham Kinesiology by clicking the link below.
Is Your Food Fueling Inflammation? How Kinesiology Can Help You Choose Better
Hidden food sensitivities can quietly affect your digestion, skin, hormones, and energy—without you even realising. Instead of guessing or following restrictive diets, kinesiology allows us to test exactly which foods are stressing your system. In this article, you’ll find healthy swaps for gluten, cow dairy, and refined sugar, plus guidance on how long to avoid them and why.
How kinesiology helps
During your kinesiology appointment, I’ll use muscle testing to assess how your body responds to specific foods. This involves placing gentle pressure on a muscle while introducing a food (or its energetic imprint) into your field. If the muscle weakens, it may indicate that the food is creating stress or inflammation. If the muscle stays strong, it’s likely well tolerated.
The main food stressors I test for in kinesiology sessions are:
- Gluten
- Cow’s milk
- Refined sugar
These are the most common contributors to inflammation, digestive stress, and hormonal imbalance. If we suspect other foods may be affecting your system—such as eggs, soy, or specific grains—we can test those too. Every session is tailored to your body’s unique needs.
You’ll also get support for:
- Strengthening digestion
- Supporting detox pathways
- Balancing hormones and immunity
- Rebuilding gut flora with the right nutrients
Alternatives for Common Food Sensitvities
Gluten-Free Swaps
- Whole grains such as quinoa, buckwheat, brown rice, and millet
- Gluten-free oats
- Rice noodles – a versatile alternative to wheat-based pasta
- Corn tortillas – naturally gluten-free (check for 100% corn)
- Supermarket gluten-free aisle – many options, but be mindful of ultra-processed ingredients
- Flours for baking – ground almonds or coconut, buckwheat, rice, and sorghum flours
- Online suppliers – Bakery by Knife and Fork delivers freshly baked, natural gluten-free bread the day after baking
Cow Dairy-Free Swaps
- Plant-based milks – almond, coconut, oat, soya, and cashew
- Goat’s milk – available in many supermarkets and often better tolerated (can be tested in session)
- Yoghurt alternatives – coconut yoghurt or kefir; proper Greek yoghurt is sometimes tolerated
- Butter alternatives – good-quality butter may be tolerated, or try goat’s butter
- Cheese alternatives – goat’s cheese, sheep’s cheese like feta, halloumi, pecorino (similar to parmesan), Manchego, also buffalo mozzarella (check labels—some may include cow’s milk)
- Soya-based products – including milk, cream, and yoghurt
- Swedish Glaze ice cream – a dairy-free treat (available in many supermarkets)
- Nutritional yeast – adds a cheesy flavour to sauces and toppings
Sugar-Free Swaps
- Fresh fruit (especially berries, apples, and pears)
- Stewed apples with cinnamon
- Medjool dates (in moderation)
- Raw honey or maple syrup (small amounts, if tolerated)
- Cinnamon, vanilla, or cacao for natural flavour
- Coconut flakes or nut butters for sweetness without blood sugar spikes
These swaps could be tested in a kinesiology session to see which ones your body prefers.
Supporting Recovery: How Long to Stay Off Trigger Food
Please avoid these foods for at least one month to begin seeing the benefits. If you’re able to continue for up to three months, you’ll give your body the best chance to fully recover from inflammation and restore balance.
You’re welcome to return for testing after this time. Regular kinesiology sessions in the meantime can help ensure your digestion, hormones, immune system, and energy pathways are functioning optimally—supporting detox and deeper healing throughout the process.