If you're trying to identify which foods are causing adverse reactions in your body, talk with your doctor about participating in a rotation diet. A rotation diet also is referred to as an elimination or challenge diet and is intended to discover which foods are triggers symptoms. Most rotations diets are meant to highlight foods that cause an allergic reaction or intolerance. A rotation diet is not for diagnosing a condition, but for helping to provide direction for further testing.
Preliminary
Before you can implement a rotation diet, you need to create a list of foods that you suspect might be causing your symptoms. Keep a food log for one week, listing all the foods you eat and how they affect your body. If you develop symptoms after eating a particular food, describe the length and severity of the symptoms. Discuss your food log with your healthcare provider to determine which foods you will use in the rotation diet. Do not implement any modifications to your diet without consulting with your doctor.
Remove Foods
Once your physician determines which foods you need to challenge on your rotation diet, you will need to completely eliminate those foods from your diet for two weeks, according to the University of Wisconsin. Eliminating certain foods might be more difficult than you think. For example, if your doctor recommends removing soy, gluten and eggs, you might be surprised to find out how many foods contain these ingredients. Soy might be found in lunch meats, breads and ice cream. Gluten is found in almost all breaded foods that are made with wheat, rye or barely. Eggs are used in custard, rice pudding and many packaged foods.
Rotate Foods
After the two-week elimination process, you will be instructed by your doctor to rotate the foods that were removed back into your diet. Each food needs to reintroduced for one day and then removed again for three days. After three days, introduce the next food. For example, eat soybeans on the first day and then remove soy from your diet again. Wait three days and then eat foods that contain gluten, such as bread, pasta and crackers. Remove gluten foods again and wait three days. After three days, eat foods that contain eggs, such as an omelet or egg salad.
Conclusion
Continue your food log during the rotation period and share it with your doctor at the conclusion of the rotation. Your findings will help your healthcare provider determine what further tests are required.
