Modified elimination diets are used to diagnose and treat food allergies and sensitivities, according to the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics (UWHC). A modified elimination diet is a process that can take several weeks or months to produce results. This type of diet should only be done under the supervision of a physician due to the number of foods that are restricted.
Food Allergies
The Mayo Clinic says food allergies are an immune system reaction that can cause tingling in the mouth, hives or rash, swelling of the face or body, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and dizziness. A severe food allergy can cause anaphylaxis, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention due to difficulty breathing, rapid pulse, decreased blood pressure and unconsciousness. Foods that cause allergic reactions can be identified using a modified elimination diet and should be avoided at all times.
Eliminate
The UWHC says a modified elimination diet eliminates all dairy products, fatty meats, gluten, alcohol, caffeine, peanuts and pistachios, brown sugar, honey, molasses, fructose, corn syrup, margarine, butter, eggs and yeast products. Dairy products include milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, ice cream and frozen yogurt. Fatty meats include beef, pork and veal. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, spelt, kamut, oats, rye, barley and malt. Foods that contain yeast or may promote yeast growth include cheese, processed foods, vinegar, breads and condiments.
Foods should be eliminated for a minimum of two weeks without exception. The UWHC says reading food labels and ingredient lists are essential during this phase of the diet because whole foods and foods with eliminated ingredients should be restricted. Allergy symptoms should be monitored and may worsen during the first few days of the diet before they improve, according to the UWHC.
Challenge
Challenging the diet involves reintroducing restricted foods after two weeks of total avoidance. During the challenge phase, new foods are added back to the diet every three days, according to the UWHC. Foods should be added in small amounts while allergy symptoms are carefully monitored. The UWHC says if a food does not cause symptoms, it probably isn't an allergen or problem food. Foods that worsen allergy symptoms should be avoided for at least four to six months before being retested or restricted indefinitely. Test foods should only be added one at a time. After a food has been tested, it should be re-removed from the diet before the next food is introduced even if it does not produce symptoms of an allergy.
Risks
Modified elimination diets can pose a nutrition risk. Modified elimination diets followed for a prolonged period of time may increase the risk for nutrient deficiencies and an unbalanced diet. Healthy foods that can replace eliminated foods include chicken, turkey, fish, beans, legumes, rice, potato, fresh fruits and vegetables, buckwheat, quinoa, olive and salad oils, fruit sweeteners, herbal teas, and rice or soy milks.
Considerations
Suzzanne Myer, a registered dietitian who specializes in elimination diets, says such diets may also be helpful in treating irritable bowel syndrome, arthritis, asthma, insomnia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, headaches, depression, eczema and autism. The Cleveland Clinic notes that elimination diets are not a foolproof method to diagnose allergies because psychological and physical factors can affect how a dieter responds to the diet.
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