comprehensive elimination diet

The Comprehensive Elimination Diet is a dietary program designed to clear the body of foods and chemicals you may be allergic or sensitive to and, at the same time, to improve your body’s ability to handle and dispose of these substances.

This is called an Elimination Diet because you will be asked to remove certain foods, and food categories, from your diet. The main rationale behind the diet is that these modifications allow your body’s detoxification machinery, which may be overburdened or compromised, to recover and begin to function efficiently again. The dietary changes help the body eliminate or “clear” various toxins that may have accumulated due to environmental exposure, foods, beverages, drugs, alcohol, or cigarette smoking.

Clinical experience has shown this process to be generally well tolerated and extremely beneficial. There is really no “typical” or “normal” response. A person’s initial response to any new diet is highly variable, and this diet is no exception. This can be attributed to physiological, mental, and biochemical differences among individuals; the degree of exposure to and type of “toxin”; and other lifestyle factors. Most often, individuals on the elimination diet report increased energy and mental alertness, decreased muscle or joint pain, and a general sense of improved well-being. However, some people report initial reactions to the diet, especially in the first week, as their bodies adjust to a different dietary program. Symptoms you may experience in the first week or so are changes in sleep patterns, lightheadedness, headaches, joint or muscle stiffness, and changes in gastrointestinal function. Such symptoms rarely last for more than a few days.

Changing food habits can be a complex, difficult, and sometimes confusing process. It doesn’t have to be, and this handout has simplified the process with diet menus, recipes, snack suggestions, and other information to make it a “do-able” process. Peruse this information carefully. If you have any questions about the diet or any problems, please contact your healthcare practitioner. Usually these issues can be quickly resolved.