Elimination Diets...

I've had a lot of people recently ask me about elimination diets. What all it entails, how long to do one, and how you add the eliminated foods back in. 

There are so many out there and unfortunately, they can be abused and become part of an unhealthy eating plan. However, done correctly, they can be a great way to identify food sensitivities or allergies and determine which foods may be harmful to your body. 

​What is healthy for one person isn't necessarily healthy for someone else. I can tell you everything I eat and what works for me, but that doesn't mean it will work for you or anyone else. 

I've done several elimination diets, including the Whole30, a sugar detox, and various other elimination protocols to determine what my body reacts to. I have sensitivities to sugar, gluten, and dairy...yep, all the good things. But they all cause inflammatory issues in my body, from acne and rashes to upset stomachs, including constipation and/or diarrhea. Super fun times! 

Listed below are some of the most common causes of food sensitivities and what should be eliminated in any elimination diet.

I know...the list looks crazy! You're thinking, "How am I supposed to eat then?!" 

The long and short of it is eat real food. Take out the foods identified above for 10-14 days. And slowly reintroduce the above foods, one at a time. See how your body reacts to the added food. Do you get a rash? Do you get an upset stomach? Are you constipated and gassy? Do you feel unwell and tired or drained? Did you get swollen anywhere in the form of achy joints or fingers or under-eye circles? 

The good news is if you don't have a reaction, then you know you aren't sensitive to those foods and you can add them back into your diet! 

The other good news is that you don't 100% have to stop eating the foods you are sensitive to. I eat dairy every now and again when I want it. I know that I will have a reaction to it, normally in the form of constipation, but I prepare for it. And yes, I enjoy the sugary deliciousness of treats every now and again, but I normally opt for the gluten free variety. I just don't like how I feel eating gluten (think tired, lethargic, acne, constipation). 

But I know all of this and it makes my decisions with food easier and better to understand. 

Yes, the process getting there isn't always fun or easy, but know that in the end, it is 100% worth it. And you don't have to do it alone! I am here to help and have been through various elimination diets myself. I did mine over the course of YEARS! Whew...it was a journey! But I can help you in a matter of MONTHS! 

Let's chat! I'd love to help you achieve your goals and see what has been holding you back! 

Have a beautiful week! And comment below if you've ever tried an elimination diet. I'd love to hear your success stories! 

With love and wellness,
​Whitney