At-Home Tests Best At-Home Food Sensitivity Tests Everlywell is the best reviewed at-home food sensitivity test By Stephanie Trovato Stephanie Trovato Stephanie Trovato is a writer who specializes in researching consumer topics, and creating easy-to-understand articles to help consumers make informed decisions. Her experience in healthcare includes e-commerce, insurance advisements, mental health wellness and vitamin and supplement information. Learn about our editorial process and Natalie Rahhal Natalie Rahhal Natalie A Rahhal is a seasoned freelance journalist and editor with eight years of experience covering primarily health and science. Her work has appeared in outlets including CNBC Make It, Insider, The Guardian and National Geographic Travel. Previously, she was U.S. health editor at DailyMail.com. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 12, 2023 Medically reviewed by Jurairat J. Molina, MD Medically reviewed by Jurairat J. Molina, MD Facebook Jurairat J. Molina, MD, MBA is a board-certified allergist who has been practicing in field of allergy and clinical immunology for the past two decades. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Fact checked by James Lacy Fact checked by James Lacy LinkedIn James Lacy, MLS, is a fact-checker and researcher. James received a Master of Library Science degree from Dominican University. Learn about our editorial process Print We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Food sensitivities are rising worldwide, and medical experts are beginning to notice. More accessible information has drawn more people’s attention to how certain foods can make them feel sluggish, cause digestive issues, or even skin issues like eczema. At-home tests have become a popular and convenient way for many to test for potential sensitivities without the expense and hassle of seeing a specialist. It is worth noting that a food sensitivity test is not the same thing as an allergy test. If you have experienced symptoms of a food allergy, such as dizziness, a runny nose, an itchy or tight throat, hives, or trouble breathing, you may want to start with an at-home allergy test. However, you should not rely solely on these tests. Confirmatory allergy testing should be done in a healthcare setting where you can be monitored for a severe reaction. On the other hand, if you suspect you have a mild-to-moderate food sensitivity, an at-home test may be a perfect option. But, not all at-home food sensitivity tests are created equal. Some home tests require a simple cheek swab, while others will ask you to do a finger prick to draw blood. There are also significant differences in how the test results are analyzed. Some testing companies provide a long list of results, while others only focus on a few food groups. To help you find the best at-home food sensitivity test, we researched over two dozen available tests on the market and considered a wide range of needs, testing options, and types of food intolerances tested. Reviews, company-claimed accuracy, cost, and convenience all helped us come up with the list below. Best At-Home Food Sensitivity Tests of 2023 Best Reviews: Everlywell Most Expansive: Check My Body Health Most Accurate: CRI Genetics Best Breath Test: FoodMarble Best Lab Test: Request A Test Best At-Home Food Sensitivity Tests View All Best At-Home Food Sensitivity Tests Our Top Picks Everlywell Check My Body Health CRI Genetics FoodMarble Request A Test See More (2) Final Verdict Compare Providers Guide to Choose Frequently Asked Questions Methodology Best Reviews : Everlywell EverlyWell Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: Starts at $199Sample collection: Finger prickResults: 2+ weeks Why We Chose It Everlywell’s comprehensive test, which checks your body’s immune response to 96 foods, and easy-to-use finger prick sample collection have earned it rave reviews. Pros & Cons Pros Over 4,00 5-star reviews An independent, board-certified specialist will review results before sending them to you Easily performed test Cons Not covered by insurance Overview Everlywell removes a lot of the work out of taking a food sensitivity test with this at-home kit. After receiving the kit in the mail, all you need is to follow the simple directions to collect a blood sample, quickly done with a single prick of a fingertip. Then, you return the sample for testing using a prepaid shipping label. Everlywell says it only shares customer data with labs and its physicians and uses “bank grade” encryption to ensure your privacy when it comes to test results. Once you receive your results, you will be able to see a range of food sensitivities for up to nearly 100 foods that you may want to try to remove via an elimination diet. This test is an excellent tool for taking the guesswork out of your food sensitivity discovery process. Everlywell's food sensitivity test costs about $199 and offers insights into what foods may be triggering symptoms like fatigue, stomach pain, bloating after eating, indigestion, migraines, and headaches. Most Expansive : Check My Body Health Check My Body Health Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: Starts at $38Sample collection: Hair sampleResults: 3+ days Why We Chose It Check My Body Health checks for over 970 food and non-food sensitivities, making it one of the most comprehensive tests available online. Pros & Cons Pros Tests for over 970 food and non-food sensitivities in your body Offers family and couple packages Well-priced Cons Sparse research on bio-resonance testing Not much advice offered on dietary changes. Overview Check My Body Health boasts that its food intolerance assessment is the most comprehensive food sensitivity test in the United States. The company uses recently developed technology to check your body for over 970 food and non-food sensitivities, making it one of the broadest tests on the global market. However. Check My Body uses bio-resonance testing, about which research is sparse. The assessment measures potential sensitivities to food and drink, environmental triggers, heavy metals, minerals, vitamins A-K, and additives as well as metrics of gut health, and digestion. You'll get your results in as little as three days, plus free elimination diet advice, and a free food diary template. The standard Complete Sensitivity kit (one test) costs $38, while the Complete Sensitivity Couples kit (two tests) is $60, and the Complete Sensitivity Family kit (four tests) is $110. Most Accurate : CRI Genetics CRI Genetics Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: Starts at $199Sample collection: Mouth swabResults: 6-8 weeks Why We Chose It CRI Genetics’s food sensitivity test uses your DNA to provide reports for all allergies, health, and factors affecting your weight and metabolism. Pros & Cons Pros Minimally-invasive mouth swab sample collection Proven as an accurate and comprehensive test Fairly priced Cons Results take six to eight weeks Women cannot take the Y chromosome DNA test, so the information for them is limited Overview CRI Genetics test is an accurate and comprehensive at-home food sensitivity test. Created by scientists looking to improve people's lives, this assessment uses your DNA to decode your food sensitivities. The test won several awards for its accuracy in 2020 and is worth looking into if you suspect you're having food and drink allergy issues. The company's Allergy + Health test costs about $199 and provides reports on your genetic risks for allergies to things like peanuts, eggs, dust mites, and dogs. The DNA guide helps you maximize your results with insights into diet and lifestyle changes you can make to suit your genetics. It's protected by an eight-week efficiency guarantee, meaning the company will ensure there is a quick turnaround time from when you buy the test to when you receive your report—or you'll get a refund. And, CRI Genetics will store your reports and DNA samples for as long as you want. Best Breath Test : FoodMarble FoodMarble Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: Starts at $159Sample collection: Breath test deviceResults: Real-time Why We Chose It FoodMarble uses breath analysis to measure which foods you can digest most successfully and sends results right to a connected app. Pros & Cons Pros Detailed testing The consistent logging of food will encourage mindfulness when eating Instant results Similar to technology used in doctor's offices Cons You must log all of your food intakes Overview Founded by Aonghus Shortt in 2014, FoodMarble created the first-ever direct-to-consumer digestive tracker. The company's food sensitivity test is the most similar to what a gastroenterologist would use in their office, in that it uses your breath to assess food intolerances. Hydrogen breath tests are the standard to test for intolerances for certain kinds of sugars such as lactose (found in dairy products) and fructose (found in fruits, some vegetables, and honey) that can cause conditions like IBS. FoodMarble sends you a breath test device that pairs with an app to help you make the best food choices. First, you log your food onto the app, and then you blow into the breath test device. The test tracks hydrogen levels in your breath, which indicates when your body is struggling to digest foods. The longer you track your foods and subsequent hydrogen levels, the more detailed analysis you will get. Unlike other tests, FoodMarble’s breath test has been validated by other labs and uses effectively the same technology that gastroenterologists use. However, breath tests are only clinically used to detect a few specific intolerances and are not used to test for peanut intolerances, for example. FoodMarble's digestive breath tracker costs about $159. You can also add a FODMAP program for about $29 to test some standard and hard-to-digest food components, including lactose, fructose, sorbitol, and inulin. Best Lab Test : Request A Test Request a Test Sign Up Now Key Specs Pricing: Starts at $149Sample collection: Finger prickResults: 5-8 business days Why We Chose It Fast and reliable, Request A Test builds on its reputation as a major name in direct-to-consumer lab testing to offer convenient food allergy panels. Pros & Cons Pros Testing checks blood for specific antibodies, which the body creates when food sensitivities are present Affordable Panel 1 tests for 90% of food allergies Cons No all-in-one test panel Requires going to a lab in person Overview Founded in 2002, Request A Test is a leading name in direct-to-consumer lab tests. This testing company is one of the most affordable lab testing centers available to the public. Its popular Panel 1 tests a customer’s blood for 10 sensitivities that cause about 90% of all food allergies, including red meat, eggs, milk, shellfish, wheat (gluten), and peanuts. Request A Test allows customers to order the testing panel they want from a LabCorp or Quest lab. Next, you have to go to the lab to have your blood drawn. It will then be analyzed in a CLIA-certified lab (the regulatory gold standard) for antibodies that your body produces in response to foods to which you may be sensitive. Although the timeline is subject to the volume of testing happening at the local lab you choose, you will generally get results in just five to eight days. Request A Test's Food Allergy Panels range from about $149 to $209, while panels for specific allergies cost roughly $39 each. Final Verdict Food sensitivities can cause constant discomfort and inconvenience. If you believe a food intolerance may be causing your symptoms, an at-home test can be a useful first step to figuring out which foods you should avoid. There are no FDA-approved at-home food sensitivity tests and the gold standard for food sensitivity diagnosis is a methodical elimination diet. Home testing companies may help you narrow down which foods you should try eliminating. Tests like Everlywell and Request A Test require a blood sample, but they can provide comprehensive information by testing for your immune response to dozens of foods. They also provide results in as little as five days. If you’re experiencing symptoms, it’s best to consult a healthcare professional but an at-home sensitivity test can help you get a better insight into your food tolerance and get you on a path to better nutrition and wellness. Compare At-Home Food Sensitivity Tests At-Home Food Sensitivity Test Price Sample collection Results Everlywell Best Reviews Starts at $199 Finger prick 5-7 days 5Strands Test From Walmart Least Invasive Starts at $88 Hair strand 7-10 days Check My Body Health Most Expansive Starts at $38 Hair sample 3-5 days CRI Genetics Most Accurate Starts at $199 Mouth swab 6-8 weeks FoodMarble Best Breath Test Starts at $159 Breath test device Real-time Request A Test Best Lab Test Starts at $149 Finger prick 5-8 business days Guide to Choosing the Best At-Home Food Sensitivity Test What Is a Food Sensitivity? Like allergies, food sensitivities are reactions to foods that are difficult for a person to digest. They are often indicated by unpleasant symptoms like bloating and they are notoriously challenging to diagnose. In recent years, medical professionals have more readily recognized food sensitivities as real health issues that affect quality of life, but they are rarely life-threatening. This distinguishes intolerances or sensitivities from food allergies, which can be lethal and should only be tested for with medical supervision. You can develop food intolerances at any point in your life, so if you have noticed that lately, your stomach is upset every time you eat a steak or share a cheese plate—foods that are among the top 10 causes of sensitivities—an at-home test may be a useful first step in confirming the cause of your discomfort. What Is an At-Home Food Sensitivity Test? An at-home food sensitivity test lets you collect a sample, such as blood, hair or breath, that may have markers of your body’s difficulty digesting a food. These samples are analyzed for certain immune cells, energy wavelengths, or hydrogen (depending on the type of test) to generate results that tell you which foods are likely culprits of your discomfort. . These tests may offer useful clues about food sensitivities, but they will not serve you well with an allergy test. It is essential to recognize the difference between food sensitivities and food allergies. How to Compare Best At-Home Food Sensitivity Tests At-home food sensitivity tests can help you discover food intolerances. However, tests use different technologies with varying accuracy and some may only test for a few possible sensitivities. Here are some factors to consider when choosing a food sensitivity test. Cost: Most at-home sensitivity tests are not covered by insurance. The cost range for tests on our list varies between $40 and $200.Results Speed: You can receive test results instantly, in a matter of days, or it could take several weeks. Collection Method: Some tests are more invasive than others. At-home tests may require a finger prick, saliva, or breath sample. Foods Screened: At-home tests screen a range of food sensitivities; however, each test will test for a different amount. For example, one test may test for 600 sensitivities while another may test for 100 sensitivities Frequently Asked Questions Are At-Home Food Sensitivity Tests Reliable? The at-home food sensitivity test business has become increasingly more reliable; companies have worked closely with clinical physicians to establish better results for patients. Listed above are some of the most credible at-home tests for food sensitivities that you can find with the highest accuracy reported in their field. Is Food Sensitivity the Same as Food Allergy? A food allergy differs from a food sensitivity based on how the body reacts to certain foods. An allergy is an immune response, while food sensitivities cause digestive issues. If you are looking for an at-home allergy test, we have created a list of some of the best at-home allergy tests. These assessments work very similarly to the food sensitivity tests listed above, where you'll provide a body sample of blood or a mouth swab, and you'll receive the results within a few weeks. What Samples Do I Need to Send in for an At-Home Food Sensitivity Test? The at-home food sensitivity tests listed in this article were chosen for their accuracy and ease in providing a sample. These assessments are the least invasive, most effortless samples to provide to receive your results. The samples that these tests use range from a breath test to a cheek swab, hair sample, or a simple finger prick to acquire a drop of blood What Does an At-Home Food Sensitivity Test Include? Each at-home food sensitivity kit includes the test: an item like a swab for your cheek, a device to prick your finger and collect a drop of blood, or a breath counter that tracks the amount of hydrogen in your breath. Once you send in your test with the return package (which is also included), the company will send back your results virtually after being reviewed by a medical professional. Will My Insurance Cover At-Home Food Sensitivity Tests? Most insurance companies will not cover the cost of an at-home food sensitivity test. If you have insurance and would like it to cover the test, check with your provider and doctor to see what your options are for an in-office test. Methodology When evaluating these companies, we looked at dozens of them to help narrow down the best at-home food sensitivity tests for you and your family. After reviewing them extensively, we concluded that cost mixed with accuracy enabled us to decipher the best options for Verywell Health’s readers. Through our research, we learned that several at-home tests do not have the scientific backing to ensure that their results are 100% accurate. While some results take up to eight weeks to be sent to you or require extra work on your end, rest assured that these results will benefit your diet in the long run. Everlywell earned the title of best overall for its variety of tests and its ability to uncover which food sensitivities you are likely to develop in the future. It also reveals the best type of workouts for your body and a list of supplements that your body is craving. CRI Genetics was determined to be the most accurate assessment for its DNA guide, which helps people become their healthiest. FoodMarble stood out for being the first digestive tracker and a breath test instead of a blood one. Additional reporting by Stephanie Valera. Verywell / Designed by Amelia Manley Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Gupta RS, Warren CM, Smith BM, et al. Prevalence and severity of food allergies among us adults. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(1):e185630. Health.ClevelandClinic.org. "Food Allergy vs. Intolerance: What’s the Difference?" FoodMarble. "About Us." Accessed Nov. 9, 2021. Request A Test. "About Us." Accessed Nov. 9, 2021. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies