Bloating, gas, indigestion, or other gastrointestinal issuesAchy jointsFatigueHeadachesBrain fogFrequent colds or immune system issuesMood swings, anxiety, or depression
Additionally, an elimination diet can help improve symptoms of other medical conditions that may be triggered by food reactions. Some of these include:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or other gastrointestinal disorders IBS is a common gut disorder that causes unpleasant issues like diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain, gas, and constipation.Research shows elimination diets may help reduce these symptoms in some people with IBS.Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) A chronic condition, eosinophilic esophagitis is characterized by inflammation in the esophagus.A review published in Current Gastroenterology Reports in 2020 found that elimination diets were “highly effective treatments for eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases.” Another study, published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, revealed that more than 75 percent of patients with EoE who followed an elimination diet reported fewer symptoms and less inflammation on biopsy tests.Celiac disease Symptoms of this autoimmune condition are triggered by gluten, which is a protein found in wheat. A diet that eliminates gluten is currently the only way to treat celiac disease.Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) ADHD is a neuropsychiatric disorder that affects about 7 percent of kids and adolescents.According to a study published in BMC Psychiatry in 2020, an elimination diet was effective in reducing symptoms for 30 percent of children with ADHD.Eczema or allergic conditions Emerging research is showing that food sensitivities may play a role in eczema — an inflammatory skin condition that causes itching, redness, and rashes.A 2015 clinical case report published in Global Advances in Health and Medicine found that some people with asthma reported symptom improvement and less dependence on medicines when they followed an elimination diet.Migraine Migraine is a neurological disease characterized by repeated episodes of symptoms, usually including debilitating headaches, that can impact a person’s quality of life. In a 2010 study, participants who followed an elimination diet reduced their number of headaches from nine to six.Other conditions Certain foods are known to worsen symptoms of other diseases, especially autoimmune or inflammatory disorders. An elimination diet may be used for various health conditions.
Low-FODMAP diet This diet plan involves restricting certain carbohydrates that may cause intestinal problems. The low-FODMAP diet is usually recommended for people who have symptoms of IBS.Gluten-free diet With a gluten-free diet, you’ll stop eating any foods that contain gluten. This includes wheat, barley, and rye products.Few foods diet You restrict your diet to only a few foods that you don’t usually eat.Specific carbohydrate diet This plan allows for certain types of carbohydrates while restricting others.Lactose-free diet With this diet, foods that contain lactose (a sugar found in milk and milk products) are avoided by those who are lactose-intolerant.
A registered dietitian or food and nutrition practitioner can assist you in creating an appropriate strategy. These experts are trained to help you read food labels and incorporate the correct amount of nutrients into your diet. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers a resource to help you locate a dietitian in your area. You might want to look online for recipes that will accommodate your eliminated foods. Some people also like to prep their meals for the week to make mealtime quick and easy.
You’ll feel better. The goal of an elimination diet is to identify triggers that are causing your symptoms. If you can successfully avoid these foods, your quality of life may improve.It’s temporary. An elimination diet is intended only for a short amount of time, which makes it easier for some people to successfully complete.
It can be restrictive and hard to follow. You may have to eliminate some of your favorite foods completely, which is difficult for some people.It takes time to plan. You’ll likely spend more time tracking your food intake, planning your grocery list, and preparing your meals.It might not work. Despite your best efforts, you may not be able to identify food triggers that are causing your unpleasant symptoms.It could lead to malnutrition. If you stay on the diet for a long time, you may develop a deficiency in iron, calcium, vitamin B12, vitamin D, or other nutrients.
Tips for a Successful Elimination Diet
Work with a qualified professional. An elimination diet can be challenging. Make sure you are working with a doctor or dietitian who can help you through the process.Follow your plan carefully. Don’t deviate from your diet or allow yourself to cheat.Prepare your own food. Most restaurants can’t guarantee that certain foods aren’t contaminated with something you’re trying to avoid.Record your reactions. Keeping a detailed journal of your food intake and symptoms throughout the process can help you and your provider pinpoint problematic foods.Don’t stress. Do your best to follow the plan, but don’t worry if you can’t easily identify triggers. You may need to repeat the elimination phase or cut out different foods. Try to be patient during this process.
Resources and Other Types of Diets to Try
Here are some other types of diets you might be interested in learning more about:
Lactose intolerance dietVegan dietGluten-free dietPaleo dietFODMAP dietSpecific carbohydrate dietWhole30 dietAnti-inflammatory dietAutoimmune protocol dietKetogenic dietAtkins diet
The following resources may be helpful if you decide to try an elimination diet:
University of Wisconsin: Elimination Diet Patient HandoutFood Allergy Research and Education (FARE)Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
