How To Find Your Allergies And Food Intolerances

Are you wondering what an Elimination Diet is and how to do one? We’ve rounded up the best info and answers to all of your questions so you know how the process works.

There is a lot of information out there about all sorts of different Elimination Diets. The first question that we need to address is “What is an Elimination Diet and How to do one”.

Today we are going to give you the necessary information so that you can decide if it is something that you should be trying and then you can find the one that is just right for you.

via Well Good Website

What Is An Elimination Diet?

So what is an elimination diet exactly? We thought we would start with this excellent infographic from Well Good who have an excellent article on their website. Basically, it’s just as it sounds – it’s about eliminating foods that tend to negatively affect general health and certain health conditions.

As you can see from the chart above you include and exclude certain foods. For example, fresh raw veggies are in and creamed vegetables, eggplant, corn, and peppers are out.

There are lots of reasons why people start elimination diets and it is usually to see if they are allergic or intolerant. There is a difference. Other reasons included the following.

Discovering food allergies
Discovering foods that trigger migraines, fatigue or conditions like eczema and acne.
Discovering autoimmune food triggers for those suffering from autoimmune or hormone-related disorders.
To try and Help symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
To discover if certain foods trigger certain behaviors in those with learning disorders such as ADHD and Autism

Basically, by eliminating certain foods from your diet, then slowly reintroducing those foods, you can discover which foods trigger negative reactions in your body.

This tells you that you might have an allergy or sensitivity to certain foods.

Elimination Diet Video

In the above video, registered dietician Kara Corey gives the lowdown on exactly what an elimination diet consists of, how to do an elimination diet and if it might be right for you.

She also gives some really honest insight into how it feels to eliminate foods from your diet and how you can cope with everyday life while you are. Click play above to watch now ^

VIA DR AXE

What Types Of Foods Are Eliminated?

While this greatly depends on the reasons for your wanting to begin an elimination diet, there is a list of foods that are commonly given up during elimination diets. These foods are often the biggest causes of food allergies and sensitivities that trigger bad reactions in your body.

Gluten
Dairy
Soy
Sugar (Added or refined sugar, not natural sugars)
Alcohol
Peanuts
Corn
Eggs (sometimes)
Most processed foods

Most elimination diets last three to six weeks. You will then begin adding one food group back at a time. After having eliminated those foods for so long, you’ll get definite symptoms when adding them back in if your body is sensitive or allergic to them.

VIA DR AXE

Benefits Of An Elimination Diet

The benefits of finding out which foods trigger negative reactions in your body can mean a whole new lease on life for many people. Besides dropping a few pounds and having more energy, if you have been suffering from any symptoms from fatigue to IBS, you’ll begin feeling like a whole new person in just a few weeks time.

Take a look at the infographic above from Dr. Axe, showcasing all of the wonderful benefits that eliminating trigger foods from your diet can have. Although it can feel difficult at first, once you start feeling better, your cravings will reduce greatly.

VIA YORKTEST

Food Allergies Vs Sensitivities

Once you begin to reintroduce eliminated foods to your diet, you can tell whether you have a food sensitivity (or intolerance) or a full-blown allergy. You’ll find, as outlined in the graphic above from YorkTest Laboratories that reactions to food allergies can be a lot more severe, however, reactions to sensitivities can cause a lot of problems too.

So what is the difference? Basically, when you have an allergy to a certain food you’ll most likely need to completely avoid that food for the rest of your life. If you have a sensitivity, you might decide to indulge in that trigger food once in a while during the holidays or special occasions. You should shy away from it at other times as it will negatively impact your body.

The best part of an Elimination Diet is that you can control it depending on your own goals. Listen to your body, take your time assessing how you feel and success will follow. Be sure that you seek proper advice from a Professional regarding your suitability to participate in an Elimination Diet prior to embarking on one. Want more? See if you are Leptin Resistant here