An elimination diet can be a helpful tool in determining if you have a food allergy or a food intolerance. Elimination diets involve removing potential allergens or irritants from your diet for a significant period of time and then re-introducing them one by one. As you resume eating the eliminated foods, you will be able to observe your body for any adverse reactions.
About Food Allergies and Food Intolerances
A food allergy is an immune system response that can be life threatening in some cases. Symptoms of food allergies include hives, swelling, itching, nausea, wheezing, nasal congestion, lightheadedness, difficulty breathing or fainting, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Some common food allergens are fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, strawberries and tomatoes. While skin tests or blood tests may be helpful in diagnosing food allergies, these tests are not always accurate, according to the Mayo Clinic.
A food intolerance is a less serious reaction that occurs when you have difficulty digesting a certain food. With a food intolerance, you may be able to consume the problematic foods in small quantities. Some common sources of food intolerance are wheat, gluten, dairy and corn products.
Elimination Diet Stages
An elimination diet includes four main steps, explains University of Wisconsin Integrative Medicine (UWIM). During the planning phase, you will work with your health-care practitioner to examine your current diet. According to UWIM, the foods you eat the most or crave are often the most important to avoid. The avoidance period will last for at least two weeks, during which time you will need to avoid all prohibited foods. After this period, you will begin a "challenging" period of re-introducing foods to your diet and observing any symptoms. The final stage is determining your ideal long-term diet for optimum health.
Diagnosis
According to UWIM, it may take up to three days for any adverse symptoms to return after eating the problematic food. Keep a written record of what you eat so that you can identify any patterns. UWIM recommends introducing a new food group every three days. Start with a small portion of the food in the morning and eat larger portions later in the day if you do not notice any negative reactions. If a food does not cause any reactions during the challenge period, you should be able to safely add it back into your diet, but wait until you have completed the challenge period with the remaining foods on your list.
Foods to Avoid
Foods that are prohibited during an elimination diet typically include red meat, eggs, processed meat, dairy products, wheat, gluten, corn, coffee, tea, alcohol, strawberries, citrus fruits, tomatoes, soy, peanuts, canned soups, sugar and other sweeteners. Read food labels and watch for hidden sources of these foods.
Considerations
If a food causes an immediate and severe allergic reaction, such as a severe rash or difficulty breathing, seek medical attention at once. If your symptoms do not resolve within two weeks of beginning the elimination diet, talk to your doctor about revising the foods on your elimination list. Do not attempt to diagnose or treat a severe food allergy on your own.
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