The Elimination Diet

The elimination diet is a dietary approach that involves removing certain foods from your diet for a period of time and then gradually reintroducing them to determine which foods may be causing symptoms or contributing to underlying health issues. The goal of the elimination diet is to identify potential trigger foods that may be causing inflammation or other adverse reactions in the body.

The 2 main phases include the elimination phase and the reintroduction phase. In the elimination phase, specific foods, including gluten, dairy, soy, corn, eggs, and shellfish, are excluded from the diet. It is important to eliminate these foods completely during the elimination phase, as even small amounts can trigger a reaction in some individuals. During this phase, you will eat a diet consisting of whole, unprocessed foods, such as lean protein sources, non-starchy vegetables, and healthy fats. This phase can be challenging, especially if you are used to eating a diet that includes processed or convenience foods. However, the potential rewards of identifying trigger foods can be worth it in the long run.

After the elimination phase, you will begin to reintroduce foods back into your diet, one at a time, in a careful and structured manner. It is important to keep a journal during this phase and document any symptoms or reactions that you may experience. This will help you to identify which foods may be problematic and which foods should be avoided in the future.