Vivienne Pither - Dietitian with a holistic touch
THE ELIMINATION DIET STEP- BY- STEP
1. FAMILY HISTORY - We ask you to look into your family's background with the help of a prompt sheet to properly assess a possible history of food sensitivity.
2. WHAT TO EXCLUDE? - After assessing the severity of the symptoms, we can then determine the degree of elimination we need to do (strict, moderate or simple approach) +/- any food proteins (gluten, milk, soy, egg).
3. ELIMINATION - We eliminate the necessary foods for 3-4 weeks until we have no symptoms for 5 straight days. Children often respond faster as their smaller bodies quickly metabolise and remove the affecting chemicals. We also treat micronutrient deficiencies and supplement with probiotics to support essential gut repair.
4. CHALLENGES - we then begin challenging each chemical group (amines, salicylates, glutamates) and food protein (if necessary) separately.
5. REINTRODUCE FOODS TO TOLERANCE - Once the problem substances have been determined, we will then begin gradually reintroducing foods to the individual's threshold. As children grow and mature they will usually be able to tolerate a greater chemical load. We can reassess your child every 6 months to try and reintroduce more foods.
FULL LIST OF FOOD INTOLERANCE SYMPTOMS
SKIN | Airways | DIGESTIVE SYSTEM | NERVOUS SYSTEM |
---|---|---|---|
Eczema, hives, rashes Cradle cap Swelling of lips, eyelids Itching Flushing Sore, red vagina Excessive sweating, body odour Dark circles under eyes Pallor - pale skin | Asthma Hayfever, blocked/runny nose Snoring Nasal polyps Frequent nose bleeds Chronic throat clearing Sinusitis Frequent tonsilitis, colds, flu Frequent ear infections, glue ear | Recurrent mouth ulcers Indigestion Nausea/Vomiting Bad breath Diarrhoea and/or constipation Stomach ache Bloating Flatulence Reflux Colic Sneaky poos Sticky poos | Headaches/migraines Tinnitus Dizziness/vertigo Fatigue Agitation Sound sensitivity Tic disorder Tourette Syndrome |
BLADDER | Airways | DIGESTIVE SYSTEM | NERVOUS SYSTEM |
---|---|---|---|
Bedwetting Incontinence | Growing pains Joint pain Swelling/arthritis Muscle weakness | Rapid heart beat Heart palpitations Arrhythmias | Anxiety Panic attacks Depression Self-harm OCD tendencies |
IMPAIRED MEMORY / CONCENTRATION | SPEECH | OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANCE BEHAVIOUR | UNINHIBITED BEHAVIOUR |
---|---|---|---|
Vague/forgetful Foggy brain Unable to concentrate Unmotivated Disorganised Easily distracted Difficulty reading and writing | Loud voice Speech delay Stuttering Repetitive noises Talks too much Makes silly noises Hums constantly Whistles constantly | Uncooperative Argumentative Grouchy Easily annoyed Short tempered Temper tantrums / outbursts Constantly says 'no' Breaks rules Blames others Angry, resentful, defiant Spiteful Difficulty in making friends Easily bored Fights with siblings Destructive, aggressive Unreasonable | Can't wait Always butts in Deliberately annoys others Unexplained aggression Can't explain behaviour 'Can't help it' |
(Table adapted from Dengate, S 2008 'Fed up: Understanding how food affects your child and what you can do about it'.)