Elimination or allergy diets are used to isolate food sensitivity or food allergies. There are many symptoms that can be related to food, such as: irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulitis, eczema, migraines, and asthma.
Using Elimination Diets
The Elimination Diet first removes all food allergens from the diet, and then re-introduces these foods one at a time. When using the Elimination Diet, it is recommended to keep a food journal, and log all food items accurately. This process should always be undertaken in consultation with your physician.
Basics of the Elimination Plan
The following foods must be removed from the diet for a time of 7 days to a month.
Egg and egg-containing products, citrus fruits, all processed foods including caffeine, corn and corn-containing products, food containing gluten, such as wheat and wheat-based products, pasta and barley, oat and rye grains.
It is to be noted: the sudden stopping of some foods, such as caffeine, can result in headaches. However, this should only last a few days. Reintroduce one food group to your diet, roughly every 5 days.
Other Elimination Diets
Fasting
This involves not eating for the first 5 days, in which only bottled spring water is to be taken and not anything else. It is to be noted: do not try this fasting approach without consulting with your doctor.
The Lamb-and-Pears Elimination Diet
This involves eating only lamb and pears; it is sometimes modified to turkey and pears (or turkey, rice and pears). This diet is only for more severe cases.
The Few-Foods Elimination Diet
This involves eating one dozen of foods that the patient eats rarely.
The Rare-Food Elimination Diet
This is an extension of the few-foods idea, except that instead of eating uncommonly eaten foods, the patient is asked to eat exotic items such as, buckwheat and yams.
The Regular Elimination Diet
During this diet most fruits, vegetables, fish, and meats are allowed, but wheat and other cereals, milk and eggs are removed. It is often the most helpful Elimination Diet.
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