Patient Education Library

Designed for both clinicians and the general public, these handouts provide practical, evidence-informed guidance that blends conventional medicine with complementary strategies. Within each handout you have the option to share or download a PDF.

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Elimination Diet: Foods to Eliminate

Below is the list of foods to avoid for the next 30 days. We typically choose 30 days because it is a practical time frame that most everyone can achieve, while also being long enough to allow antibodies to decrease to a level that provides a noticeable change in symptoms.

GLUTEN (Grains including Wheat, Barley, Rye, and Oats*)

REMOVE

REPLACE

Breads, pastas, crackers, baked goods – anything made with wheat flour. Soy sauce and many vegan/vegetarian meat-replacement products have wheat products in the ingredients.

Rice, quinoa, and millet, or other gluten-free labeled grain products

*Oats are naturally gluten free but can be contaminated in process. Look for gluten-free labeled oats.

DAIRY (Cow’s milk products)

REMOVE

REPLACE

Milk, yogurt, cheese

Goat’s milk or other alternative dairy milks, yogurts, cheeses

SOY

REMOVE

REPLACE

Tofu, tempeh, edamame, and soy milk products

Nut milk products (Almond, Cashew)

EGGS

REMOVE

REPLACE

Eggs in all forms, both alone and if used in baked goods

For baking, egg replacers (pre-packaged be sure vegan, GF, soy-free) or try applesauce, ripe banana, or flaxseed meal

PEANUTS

REMOVE

REPLACE

Plain peanuts, peanut butter, mixed nuts with peanuts

Other nuts such as almonds, cashews, walnuts

CORN

REMOVE

REPLACE

All forms of corn

Other vegetables of all colors

PORK

REMOVE

REPLACE

Ham, bacon, etc.

Fish, chicken, turkey, or plant-based proteins

BEEF

REMOVE

REPLACE

Ground beef, hamburger, steak, etc.

Fish, chicken, turkey, or plant-based proteins

SHELLFISH

REMOVE

REPLACE

Shrimp, clams, oysters, etc.

Fish, chicken, turkey, or plant-based proteins

CAFFEINE (Coffee, Tea, Chocolate)

REMOVE

REPLACE

Eliminate all forms of caffeine and caffeine beverages

Focus on caffeine-free beverages

SUGAR

REMOVE

REPLACE

All refined sources of sweetener including table sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, agave syrup

Use unrefined and natural non-caloric sweeteners such as stevia and monk fruit sparingly

Note

The above foods are what to avoid for the 30 days, please refer to the Elimination Diet Food Plan handout for more information on what to eat while on the elimination diet. It is much easier to put together meal plans and shop with a large list of foods that you can eat, as opposed to a small list of foods that you cannot eat.

Disclaimer: Information provided is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, nor does it establish a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your qualified health provider. We assume no responsibility for errors or omissions in the content.

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