Elimination Diet Protocol

An elimination diet is a systematic approach to identifying food sensitivities and intolerances by removing potentially problematic foods for a period of time, then strategically reintroducing them while monitoring symptoms. This is considered the gold standard for identifying non-IgE food reactions (sensitivities and intolerances) that don't show up on standard allergy tests. Many chronic symptoms, from digestive issues to skin conditions to brain fog, are driven by hidden food sensitivities that remain undiagnosed for years.

The typical elimination diet removes the most common trigger foods for 3-4 weeks: gluten, dairy, eggs, soy, corn, nightshades, and sometimes additional foods. During this elimination phase, your immune system calms down, inflammation reduces, and symptoms often improve dramatically. Then, foods are systematically reintroduced one at a time, with careful monitoring of symptoms. If a food triggers a reaction (digestive distress, skin breakouts, fatigue, headaches, etc.), you've identified a problematic food. If no reaction occurs, the food is deemed safe and returned to your diet.

Working with a nutritionist or functional medicine practitioner provides crucial support for navigating elimination diets successfully. They help you plan nutritious meals within restrictions, identify hidden sources of eliminated foods, track symptoms objectively, and interpret results. Elimination diets require commitment and discipline, but the insights gained can be life-changing for people whose symptoms have mysterious or unknown causes. Many people discover that foods they eat daily are actually triggering their chronic symptoms, and removing them provides relief that years of medical treatment couldn't achieve.