For years, I struggled with off-and-on stomach issues, bloating, and general inflammation—and like a lot of people, I couldn’t figure out exactly why. I tried tracking all of my food, random eliminations, and even went dairy-free for a while. Nothing seemed to fully work.
So last year, I decided to try something more targeted: the Everlywell Food Sensitivity Comprehensive Test. This is their most in-depth option, testing IgG antibody reactivity to 204 different foods—everything from dairy and gluten to random things I’d never think to check (like green peas or cardamom). There’s also a smaller version that tests 96 foods, but I figured if I was going to do it, I wanted the full picture.
Taking the Test
Taking the test was surprisingly easy. Everlywell sends you a kit with all the instructions, lancets (to prick your finger), and a blood sample card. I highly recommend reading the instructions twice before starting—it’s not hard, but you want to be prepared so you don’t waste the sample.
Once I did the finger prick and collected the drops of blood (okay, not my favorite part, but manageable), I sealed the sample and mailed it back in the pre-paid envelope.
A little less than a week later, I got an email that my results were ready. I logged into my dashboard and could instantly see a breakdown of my food sensitivities categorized as high, moderate, mild, or no reactivity.
My Results
My top three high-reactivity foods were:
- Chickpeas
- Green peas
- Lentils
Honestly, I was shocked. I didn’t think I ate that much of those foods—until I realized how often pea protein showed up in my vegan protein shakes. I’d been having those almost daily for three years, trying to be healthy, and yet I’d been loading up on something my body wasn’t tolerating well.
Even more surprising? One of the sprouted grain breads I liked had lentils in it. Once I started looking more closely at labels, I realized I was eating all three of these “problem foods” multiple times a week—without even realizing it.
What Happened After I Changed My Diet
Armed with my results, I decided to do a mini elimination diet and cut out just those top 3 foods for a few weeks.
Here’s what happened:
- Week 1: No stomach issues.
- Week 2: Still no stomach issues.
- Week 3: I felt… amazing?
I didn’t change anything else. I still ate gluten, dairy, sugar—all the things I assumed would be “problematic”—but simply removing those specific foods made a massive difference. My energy improved, the inflammation in my gut went down, and I felt normal again.
Why I’d Recommend the Everlywell Food Sensitivity Test
If you’ve ever tried an elimination diet and felt overwhelmed or confused about where to start, this test can be a great tool to give you a starting point. It’s not the same as a true allergy test, but it can help you identify foods that might be triggering low-grade inflammation or digestive discomfort.
It’s also really helpful that the results show not just what foods flagged high, but also why. You can click on each food in your Everlywell dashboard to learn:
- The IgG reactivity level
- Common products where it shows up
- Alternatives to consider
Having that kind of detail made it way easier to tweak my diet without feeling restricted or confused.
The Only Downside?
I didn’t love pricking my own finger (who does?), but it wasn’t as bad as I expected. Also, the sample has to be collected carefully—it’s worth watching a YouTube demo if you’re nervous.
Other than that, the process was smooth, simple, and kind of fun. I even ended up taking a few more Everlywell tests later with friends—we turned it into a girls’ night (weirdly fun, highly recommend).
Final Thoughts
I’m not saying this test will solve everything for everyone. But if you’re dealing with mystery food issues and want a more personalized jumping-off point for an elimination diet, the Everlywell Food Sensitivity Test was 100% worth it for me.
I feel more empowered, more informed, and way more in control of how I eat and how I feel.
Have you ever taken a food sensitivity test? Thinking about trying Everlywell? I’d love to hear your experience in the comments.
Disclaimer: I am not a physician or medical professional. I am just sharing my own experience here–not giving medical advice. The Everlywell test helped me figure out what might be causing my stomach issues, but it’s not a diagnosis. If you’re dealing with serious symptoms or ongoing health concerns, reach out to your doctor or a healthcare professional.
