Elimination Diet

Definition

An elimination diet involves removing specific foods or food groups from your diet to identify and address food allergies or intolerances.

Scientific / Technical Definition

An elimination diet is a diagnostic tool in which individuals systematically remove and then reintroduce various foods to identify those that cause adverse reactions. This approach is often used to detect food allergies, intolerances, or sensitivities by observing changes in symptoms when specific foods are eliminated and then gradually reintroduced.

Benefits

• Identifies food allergies or intolerances.
• Helps reduce and manage symptoms like digestive issues and inflammation.
• Improves overall gut health by identifying problematic foods.
• Can lead to a more personalized and healthier diet.

Examples

• Removing dairy products to test for lactose intolerance.
• Excluding gluten-containing foods to identify gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.
• Eliminating nuts to check for nut allergies.

Additional Information

• effects: Elimination diets can lead to significant health improvements by identifying and removing foods that cause negative reactions. However, they should be followed carefully and ideally under medical supervision to ensure nutritional needs are met.

Related Terms

• Food Allergy
• Food Intolerance
• Gluten-Free Diet
• Dairy-Free Diet

References

• Elimination Diets: A Comprehensive Review
• The Clinical Value of Elimination Diets