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.
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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