Detecting Hidden Food Allergies

By Dr William Crook

Although skin tests help physicians identify allergies to ragweed, grasses, dust mites and animal danders, such tests provide little help in detecting hidden food allergies (HFA).

Common signs and symptoms in both adults and children with HFA include fatigue, nasal congestion, dark circles under the eyes, headache, muscle aches, irritability, abdominal pain, hyperactivity, attention deficits, memory loss and other problems.  In discussing food sensitivities, Art Ulene, M.D., said "An elimination diet, properly conducted, is a very reasonable and practical way to identify foods that are causing problems."

Carrying out a diet isn't easy.  It takes careful planning.   Here are some of the things you'll need to do in order to succeed:

1.    Before beginning your trial diet, discuss it with members of your family.

2.    Carry out the diet at an appropriate time (Don't try it during a holiday).

3.    Before beginning a diet, keep a diary or symptom inventory for at least 3 days.

4.    Continue the symptom diary while you're following the diet.

5.    On the initial elimination diet, you and your child can eat the following foods:

        (a) any vegetable but corn;

        (b) any meat but bacon, sausage, hot dogs and luncheon meats

        (c) rice, oats, barley and grain alternatives, amaranth, quinoa and buckwheat (available at health food stores)

        (d) any fruit but citrus (also avoid any fruit you eat more than once a week), bottle, spring or distilled

              water and herb teas.

6.    On the initial elimination diet you and your child should avoid:

• milk

• eggs  

• sugar    

• tea                       

• peas                

• wheat                 

• coffee                 

• soft drinks

• beans                 

• peanuts              

• kool-aid 

• corn               

• chocolate         

• processed foods     

• food colors and dyes

7.    Continue the diet for 5 to 10 days, until there is convincing improvement in your symptoms lasting 48 hours.        

8.    Then to identify food troublemakers, the eliminated foods should be eaten again (one food per day) and reactions should be noted.   (Symptoms may be noticed within a few minutes or may not appear for several hours or until the next day). 

Special Note:  If you have been bothered by asthma, severe hives, swelling or other serious allergic reactions, consult your physician before carrying out this diet.