Sample allergy diet - what is an elimination diet and how to follow it

Allergy sufferers know all too well the immense discomfort of experiencing symptoms but not knowing what causes them. Very often the causes of allergy are not identified, but the unpleasant effects of it are present. In thisBiopedia article, we will share a sample allergy diet and how to properly follow it.

And since a number of food products are popular allergens, doctors often try to find the problem precisely in the eating habits and choices of their allergic patients. Practice shows that the approach to identifying allergies usually starts with the so-called elimination diet as a model diet for allergy. What is it?

People may start an elimination diet for a number of reasons, one of the main reasons being to try to identify food intolerances and sensitivities that are causing digestive problems such as gas, bloating or stomach pain, as well as a range of possible allergy symptoms.

Food intolerance is when your body processes a certain food (or foods) differently than others, which can cause that gastrointestinal discomfort or other symptoms. A food intolerance is different from a food allergy, which involves an immune response that can be very dangerous.

If you suspect a true food allergy, food intolerance and intolerance to certain foods, we recommend you discuss this with your doctor or allergist. In the meantime, this article will discuss in depth what an elimination diet is and provide you with a sample allergy diet.

Sample allergy diet - what is an elimination diet?

An elimination diet is an eating plan that avoids or eliminates certain foods or ingredients so you can find out what you may be sensitive or allergic to. The elimination diet is not the only example diet for allergy, but it is certainly one of the most popular.

This is not about a weight loss diet. You don't want to cut unnecessary calories or lose a few extra pounds. This is a sample allergy diet that aims to identify the root cause of the allergy you are suffering from.

The most common reason for starting a diet is that you and your doctor think certain foods may be causing your allergy symptoms. You will need to partner with your doctor on this and make sure you are still getting all the nutrients you need.

It is not recommended to start an elimination diet if you have a serious food allergy or have had a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. If you have experienced this condition in the past, you should learn which food triggers it as soon as possible so you can avoid it.

Talk to your doctor about it. Blood and skin tests can identify some food allergies. You may need these before you can safely try an elimination diet yourself, or any other sample allergy diet.

Sample allergy diet - elimination phase

There are two phases of the elimination diet and the first is the elimination phase. The first step is to stop consuming foods that are allergens or that you suspect may cause allergic reactions.

You will need to read food labels carefully and ask often how foods are prepared in restaurants. Keep a food diary and write down everything you eat, noting how you feel after eating them. Your doctor will monitor you for several weeks while you try this.

Foods to avoid while on an elimination diet:

• Citrus
• Fresh milk
• Eggs
• Wheat and gluten, which includes rye, barley and malt vinegar
• Shellfish
• Soya

Don't forget to take supplements into account. Some have been known to trigger allergy symptoms in some people:

• Things that end in -amine (histamine, tyramine, octopamine and phenylethylamine)
• Artificial food dyes (tartrazine and dyes derived from coal tar)
• Aspartame (artificial sweetener)
• Butylhydroxyanisole and butylated hydroxytoluene (preservatives)
• Lactose and other disaccharides
• Monosodium glutamate (flavour enhancer)
• Nitrates and nitrites (preservatives)
• Sulphites, benzoates and sorbates (preservatives)
• Tragacanth or agar-agar (thickeners or stabilisers)

It may not be necessary to avoid all of these foods at the same time. If you suspect you feel unwell after consuming a particular product, you may simply start by specifically avoiding it.

Sample allergy diet - introductory phase

Once you have eliminated the possible causes of a food allergy, you will slowly start adding all the foods you suspected were allergens back into your daily diet one by one.

This process helps you figure out exactly which foods are problematic. In your food diary, note any symptoms you get as you add each food back in.

If you bring a food back and have any of the following symptoms, seek emergency medical attention and stop the elimination diet until your doctor says it is safe to resume:

• Swelling of the throat
• Rash or hives
• Difficulty breathing

The last step is to stop eating the problem foods again one at a time. This time the list should be smaller. The goal is to see if your symptoms clear up for good.

"Keep in mind that you may be sensitive to a food, but not allergic to it. However, an elimination diet can help you figure out which foods are better to avoid."

-Buda

If your symptoms go away after you stop eating a certain food or ingredient, your doctor should order blood or skin tests to confirm a food allergy diagnosis. Some, but not all, food allergies can be diagnosed this way.

Sample allergy diet - types of diets

There are several types of elimination diets. Your doctor can customize one that is right for you.

Some common types are:

Simple (modified) diet - This basic elimination diet involves avoiding only one food or, sometimes, the two most common food allergens - wheat (including gluten) and dairy. Instead, eat gluten-free foods and brown rice, millet, buckwheat or quinoa.

Moderate-intensity diet - You will need to avoid several food groups at once.

On this diet, you stop eating:

• Alcohol
• All animal and vegetable fats
• Certain fruits and vegetables
• Chocolate
• Coffee, tea, soft drinks
• Dairy products
• Eggs
• Legumes
• Nuts
• Wheat
• Maya

Strict diet with few foods - This is the strictest and strictest type of elimination diet. You can only eat a select group of foods. This is not a nutritious diet, so you should not follow this plan for a long time.

The only foods allowed on this strict elimination diet are:

• Apples or apple juice
• Apricots
• Asparagus
• Beets
• Cane or beet sugar
• Carrots
• Chicken
• Blueberries
• Honey
• Lamb
• Lettuce
• Olive oil
• Peaches
• Pears
• Pineapple
• Rice (including rice cakes and cereals)
• Safflower oil
• Salt
• Sweet potatoes

Sample allergy diet

Day 1 Breakfast: Blueberry-coconut smoothie Intermediate: One large pear Lunch: Bean salad Intermediate: Apple and pumpkin seeds Dinner: Grilled chicken with cauliflower rice, avocado and cucumber salad

Day 2 Breakfast: Blueberry-coconut smoothie Intermediate: Small bowl of pumpkin seeds Lunch: Vegan diner with lettuce instead of bread Intermediate: Turkey fillet Dinner: Grilled vegetables with red beans, avocado and cucumber salad

Day 3 Breakfast: Oatmeal with cranberries and two tablespoons pumpkin seeds Intermediate: One medium banana Lunch: Same as Day 2 Intermediate: One apple or one orange Dinner: Chicken thighs with spices to taste and half a bowl of quinoa

Day 4 Breakfast: Same as Day 3 Intermediate: Same as Day 1 Lunch: Same as Day 2 Intermediate: Small bowl of pumpkin seeds Dinner: Quinoa and cooked chickpeas

Day 5 Breakfast: As on Day 1 Intermediate: Apple and a handful of pumpkin seeds Lunch: As on Day 2 Intermediate: Turkey fillet Dinner: Mediterranean cabbage soup, guacamole