A food exclusion diet
Exclusion diets are recommended when individuals or doctors suspect food sensitivity.
With allergies and food sensitivity on the rise, the number of people finding themselves in this situation is increasing. The idea is to avoid certain foods for a few weeks, until all traces of the offending food have disappeared from the body. Complete avoidance in the first instance is essential, but in most cases the exclusion diet will not be long term. Diets are often diagnostic; it is important to do it well initially to determine whether they help. Considering that these diets are generally very effective, it is worth the effort.
Sometimes the body reacts against being deprived of things it is used to having. A general malaise could come over for a couple of weeks; this is normal. It is time to take life quietly, if this happens, but make certain the forbidden foods are replaced with non-problem foods. Many people feel unwell simply because they are hungry. There are ways to substitute a banned food with something you are allowed to eat. A good strategy is to always carry an apple, not being the problem food, so that one can munch the apple when hunger arises. Home made trail mix could be a solution for people in a gluten free diet. Taking a specialty tea bag might be the answer for those trying to live without caffeine; restaurants will gladly supply hot water.
A proven step to success is to consider how the diet affects every aspect of daily life, and plan carefully as a result.
Work – Is there a friendly catering service at work? Are entertaining or being entertained a part of the job? Consider a packed lunch or agree a delivery service with a trusted deli shop.
Family meal times – Are there specific dietary considerations for other members of the family? Will it be a problem using different ingredients within the family? Ideally, everyone should be having the same meal; eating a la carte is for restaurants. Enlist help from the family at food preparation time.
Shopping – Some areas have limited resources. New foods might be only available in Health Food Shops, shops catering for vegetarians, Kosher Food shops, and little stores supplying foods used in Indian and Oriental cooking. Consider building a directory of trusted online suppliers.
Cooking – Some people, a college student, as an example, might not have cooking or food storage facilities. Shopping for prepared food at health stores could be one way out.
Medical, weight, nutrition, personal beliefs – Some people already must avoid or must consume certain foods for other reasons. Planning menus and shopping lists ahead will save time and stress.
When buying packaged food, it is important to read the ingredients list carefully. Research is in order, as some ingredients might not be listed. For instance, commercial stock cubes might have small amounts of wheat in them. Wheat sensitive people should consider making their own soup and stock. When in doubt, do not buy.
Eating the same foods day in day out should be avoided, varying the diet by rotation, encouraged. When thinking of other alternatives, everyone will be surprised how many already they know. This could be a great opportunity to be adventurous in cooking, a time to enjoy new foods and let your friends try your experiments. They might offer suggestions or perhaps bring their own samples. No one should go around feeling deprived.
A last word, it is unwise to continue a restricted diet more than six weeks without consulting the specialist as it may result in nutritional deficiencies. If the diet should be prolonged, a vitamin or mineral supplement might be required. This advice is also good for those on a restricted diet by choice.