What a BBQ Conversation Taught Me About Food Sensitivities
Last week, I was hosting a backyard BBQ.
One of my friends showed up, grabbed a drink, and hung back near the grill.
I noticed he wasn’t really eating.
So I asked, “You want me to throw something special on? I can make it however you like.”
He smiled and said, “Nah, I’ve just been feeling off after eating lately. Especially at stuff like this.”
That stuck with me.
Because I’ve heard it before.
When Food Feels Like the Enemy
BBQs are supposed to be fun—burgers, sides, a cold drink, maybe dessert.
But for some people, they come with side effects:
Bloating
Sluggishness
Brain fog
Just not feeling right afterward
This kind of thing often gets brushed off. But it’s not always random. And it’s not all in your head. For many people, these reactions are signs of something deeper—often linked to autoimmune disease or genetic food sensitivities.
Your immune system, digestion, and detox pathways might be reacting to everyday foods in ways that aren’t obvious from the outside. And doctors don’t always test for that.
How Your Genes Might Be Involved
Here’s what might be going on:
Gluten or dairy could be activating immune responses
Nightshades like potatoes and peppers can stir up discomfort
Grilled meats or alcohol might overwhelm your detox genes
Histamine-rich foods like tomatoes or smoked meats may not clear well if your body lacks the enzymes to break them down
These food reactions aren’t about willpower or diet trends. They’re often patterns written into your DNA. And when they’re ignored long enough, they can contribute to inflammation, gut imbalance, and long-term autoimmune risk.
What You Can Do About It
If you’ve ever walked away from a meal wondering why you feel worse instead of better, especially after a “healthy meal” there’s a smarter way to figure it out. At Silver Gene, we help you stop guessing and start understanding.
Silver Helix Nutritional Genetic Test
This test looks at the key genes involved in digestion, detox, inflammation, and immune reactivity. It can help explain why certain foods might be making you feel foggy, bloated, or wiped out…even if they seem "healthy."
Silver Gene Academy
Once you get your results, this is where we break down the science in plain English. Learn how your genes impact your daily choices—and how to work with your biology, not against it.
Silver Genetic Fuel
We create targeted supplement recommendations based on your unique genetic profile—so you’re not wasting time or money on things your body doesn’t need.
One-on-One Consultations
Not sure what to do with your results? We offer personal consultations to walk you through your data and help you connect the dots between your symptoms, your genes, and your lifestyle.
Final Thought
If your body seems to shut down after certain meals—especially the ones you’re supposed to enjoy—there’s probably a reason. And it might already be written into your genes. Autoimmune disease and food reactivity often go hand-in-hand. But once you understand the connection, you can start to take control.
Hopefully by the next BBQ, my friend will feel more confident in how his body responds to different foods and have something more concrete to bring to his doctor. And maybe next time, he won’t be standing by the grill with an empty plate.
