Allergies--Exclusion Dieting

What's exclusion dieting?

An exclusion diet is a way to eliminate foods you may be allergic to. It is often prescribed to IBS sufferers or those with sudden, unexplained allergic reactions that occur continually over time.

Certain foods/food groups may be avoided for some time, and then reintroduced. If the symptoms recur when the food in reintroduced, then likely the person is allergic to it.

The culprit foods most commonly causing intolerance, such as wheat or dairy are usually the first to be excluded. If this has no effect, citrus fruit, gluten foods such as barley and rye and cut, and then caffeinated beverages are cut.

Exclusion diets can be very useful because they are like small scientific experiments with your body. If the only factor you change is the food you are eating, and your symptoms change dramatically, then there is a good likelihood that that food is causing the change.

0ften this type of diet is difficult to stay with. However, if your symptoms disappear, then wouldn't that be worth it?

Exclusion diets should be done with consultation and monitoring of a physician. These diets are safe, but a medical doctor can help eliminate certain foods that are not likely to cause problems and they can also answer any questions you have.