| Many people suffer from various food intolerances or | | | | The log will allow for the identification of foods that |
| allergies. The effects of exposure can be | | | | are acceptable, foods that cause some negative |
| gastro-intestinal distress, neurological, respiratory or | | | | responses in the body and foods that the body does |
| heart damage or skin disorders. A diet that helps a | | | | not tolerate. Another reason for keeping the log is |
| person determine what, if any foods they are | | | | that you might find out that you are intolerant of or |
| intolerant of is called an "elimination diet". | | | | have allergies as a result of eating other foods. |
| For the purposes of this article, we will discuss wheat | | | | Wheat allergies are just one of many types of |
| allergies and how to use an elimination diet to | | | | intolerances or allergies that people suffer from. |
| determine if you suffer from this medical challenge. | | | | Additionally, the log will allow you to not only to |
| Gluten intolerance affects approximately one in seven | | | | identify what foods make you feel bad, but also |
| people, or fifteen percent of the population and | | | | allow you to begin to cater a diet that meets your |
| wheat is included in this category of food intolerance. | | | | individual needs. |
| If a person suffers from adverse side effects | | | | Accomplishing an elimination diet takes time and you |
| caused by food intolerance, it makes sense to figure | | | | have to listen to your body. Observing even little |
| out what kind of intolerance they are suffering from | | | | reactions can go a long way to figuring out if you are |
| so that they can modify their eating and living habits | | | | wheat intolerant or intolerant of other foods, or both. |
| accordingly. | | | | One positive effect of the diet, even though it is |
| The first step in an elimination diet is to adopt a diet, | | | | very restrictive, is that you will begin to feel better |
| for a period of four to six weeks, to clear the body | | | | as your body is granted relief from its affliction and |
| of any suspected foods that could cause the | | | | begins to heal itself. |
| intolerance. This diet is very restrictive and foods | | | | The elimination diet takes discipline, resolve and |
| that are allowed include lamb, rice, some vegetables | | | | patience. It also takes dedication to document all |
| and fruits. During this period alcohol and sugar | | | | results and log all foods eaten. As important as these |
| products are strictly forbidden. | | | | all are, however, it is most important that you listen |
| After the cleansing phase, you should begin to | | | | to your body, recognize subtle differences and pay |
| introduce foods back into your dietary regimen one | | | | attention to even the slightest positive or negative |
| at a time, allowing for the body to exhibit its | | | | reaction you have to a particular food. With patience, |
| tolerance or intolerance after each introduced food. | | | | this diet can help you figure out if you have a wheat |
| This process can take up to five or six weeks and it | | | | allergy and also can help you begin to recapture the |
| is important to maintain a log of all foods eaten, any | | | | health and vitality associated with maintaining a diet |
| side effects and also if a food does or does not | | | | that best suits your individual body. |
| affect you at all. | | | | |