Ok so this is going to sound like it has nothing to do with the Elimination Diet and Allergy Season but just give me a few minutes and it will all be clear. So a few years ago I went to lunch with a friend and her husband a chef for a local restaurant made us a delicious meal from Algeria. It was extremely tasty. It was an artichoke dish with tomatoes and lots of spices and seeds. Hummus and pita bread with mango sorbet for dessert. About half way through the meal I felt this strange tingling on my arms. Of course because the food was so good I just kept eating.
The next thing I knew I felt welts on my arms. Looked in my purse and No Benadryl. Benadryl is the survivors product for hives. I had to leave and go home to get some. What a bummer! That’s when I knew I had to do the Elimination Diet.
During the Elimination Diet It is important to eat foods that are pesticide free then you will be reacting to the food and not the pesticides.
When I completed the Elimination diet, I found that I was sensitive to seeds, tree nuts, and peanuts. That meant no peanut butter or any other nut butter, no Hershey bars with almonds no butter pecan ice cream, all the things that I really love to eat on a cheat day. Gone! It was a big change for me because I grew up eating nuts and seeds but somehow I was now sensitive to them.
My allergies improved a significant amount. My ears stopped itching and I was not sneezing as much. I didn’t have to carry boxes of tissue with me whenever I went someplace to eat when there is a high pollen count. It just never occurred to me that I was eating something that I could actually be allergic or sensitive too. All the signs were there I just missed it. Now, if I want to go out and eat, I can. Because I know what not to eat to make the allergy problem I have worst. Or running errands to stores that offer free samples knowing that I have to ask “what’s in that?” If I don’t by the time I leave the store my ears will be itching or I will be sneezing my head off.
That’s why in the past I recommended at least once a year a long term(21 days or over) cleanse and detox followed with an elimination diet. Life happens! There are times when it is not possible, to complete but it is important enough to make an appointment for yourself with yourself to make this a priority. When year after year you are getting the same results with the elimination diet then it is not as important.
It’s Easy to do After a Long Term Cleanse
When you finish a Cleanse the foods that you are eating are usually simple and very healthy. Before you go back into full eating mode this becomes an even better time for you to tell which foods are sensitive to your body.
Benefits of the Elimination Diet
a)The elimination diet can identify trigger foods. b)Your energy level can improve because the your body is not using more energy to process foods that you are allergic. c)Your body can be healthier because there are no harmful reactions causing you discomfort. d)You can get additional cleansing from the foods you are allergic or sensitive too. e)You can boost your immune system. f) Helps you sustain a life long food as medicine lifestyle g)A big bonus of the elimination diet is calming inflammation. So many chronic health conditions and autoimmune conditions are caused because of inflammation. Food allergies can cause inflammation and they can exacerbate conditions like GERD(gastroesophageal reflux disease), psoriasis, eczema, asthma (1)
It is a good idea whether you just finished a cleanse or you just noted some changes in your body and you can’t determine what’s causing the changes. For example, more allergies, less energy, skin breakouts or an increase in skin breakouts, digestive issues or an onset of inflammatory autoimmune diseases.
The How to:
Work with your health care professional to help you determine which foods you are allergic too
1-Keep a journal to track your results.
2-Start with 8 to 12 oz of alkaline water every day
3-Make a list of known food culprits like process foods, nuts, seeds, citrus, inflammatory foods, dairy, soy, eggs, nightshades, seafoods, gluten and alcohol.(2) Also include foods you suspect
4-This is also a good time if you haven’t before to stop smoking.
5-Remove the foods from your diet for at least 2 to 3 weeks
What should you look for?
Make a note of the all changes that are taking place in your body:
Joint pain, Headaches, Skin changes, Cracked fingernails, Acne, Sleeping Changes, Fatigue, Gas and bloating , Constipation, Diarrhea, Allergies
Asthma, Bronchitis
What should you eat?
Elimination Diet Vegan.—- Be mindful of veggies and fruits that should be always purchased as organics. Lean meat only if you are able to purchase grass fed organics and wild caught fish. Gluten free whole grains. Some examples for your Elimination Diet breakfast would be fruit smoothie with pea protein powder and rice milk. Remember–No dairy or citrus. How about a whole grain cooked cereal? Like rice, quinoa or grits and sausage flavored beans. Check out the Fat Free Vegan Kitchen Blog for the recipe
Elimination Diet Reintroduction
Start with a food group like dairy and reintroduce eggs for 48 hours. Notate any changes. If there are none you can assume that item is cleared. Complete the process until all foods are tested and removed your diet. NOTE: If a food causes you to have an immediate allergic reaction, such as throat swelling, a severe rash, or other severe allergy symptoms, seek medical care and avoid food challenges unless you are directly supervised by a physician.
What next?
These are the foods that you should avoid. Consult your healthcare provider to assist you in desensitizing your body to these food allergens. This can be done by taking allergy shots or by reintroducing small amounts over a period of time to build your acceptance to the food item.
Good News
Some people after avoiding a food for a few years can eat a food on there NO list and find that they are no longer sensitive. You can also start building your immune system so that you can reintroduce foods from your NO list later. If you find after you have tried everything to desensitize yourself to your favorite food look for a food substitute. For example if you can’t drink milk there several milk alternatives on the market. Just be open to try something new.
If you would like more details about the Elimination Diet or to set an Elimination Diet meal plan email us team@lookbetterandfeelbetter.com