Elimination Diets: Challenging but Rewarding

It’s estimated that 20% of Americans suffer from an intolerance or sensitivity to certain foods, causing gas, bloating, fatigue, hives, or headache. The gold standard for identifying food reactivity is the elimination diet.

There are different types of elimination diets, and as with most nutritional interventions, one size doesn’t fit all. Chronic symptoms are likely related to food that is eaten regularly. Skin conditions may be linked to certain foods such as high-glycemic-load foods, food additives, and high histamine foods. Acne can be caused by dairy so a dairy-elimination diet is recommended.

Digestive problems such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) can be caused by IgG antibodies, so the exclusion of yeast, eggs, cashews, milk, and wheat can decrease symptoms. For headache and migraine sufferers, elimination of cheese, chocolate, citrus, alcohol, coffee, certain carbohydrates, and red wine has been found to decrease severity. Success in symptom reduction of children with ADHD has been seen with the elimination of dairy and gluten.

The Sandy Hook Clinic in Connecticut, while personalizing all food plans, generally eliminates seven food groups—corn, dairy, eggs, gluten, peanuts, shellfish, and soy—and emphasizes high amounts of whole foods, including vegetables and fruits, meat and fish, as well as nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices. After four to six weeks, the eliminated food groups are added back in for several days, one at a time, while watching for reactions such as diarrhea, headaches, and constipation.

Some of the more common obstacles to following an elimination diet are devising meals that are suitable for the whole family, food options for dining out, and finding the time to structure meals and cook fresh foods during the testing period. While challenging, elimination diets can be successfully navigated with proper preparation and planning, and the support of a trained nutritionist.