Living with Food Allergies The Four-Day Rotary and Elimination Diet

Living with Food Allergies What causes food allergies? Body’s immune system Enzyme deficiency Overexposure to certain foods

Living with Food Allergies How are food allergies identified? Patient symptoms Medical History Allergy Testing

Living with Food Allergies Why Me? Heredity Overexposure to certain foods

Living with Food Allergies How are food allergies treated? By reducing or eliminating offending foods Administering allergy shots

Living with Food Allergies What is the Elimination and Four-Day Rotary Diet? Change in diet –A–Avoid certain foods altogether –E–Eat other foods only on certain days –F–Follow the diet for 90 days

Living with Food Allergies How restrictive is the diet? ProteinsGreen vegetables White/yellow/Orange Vegetables Grains and flours Beans and legumesFruits Nuts and seedsFats/Oils BeveragesSpices/Herbs Miscellaneous Food Families

Living with Food Allergies A week of sample menus DayBreakfastLunchDinner Mon/FriEgg, grapefruit Shrimp, lettuce & carrots Chicken, spinach, carrots Tues/SatMelon with prosciutto Baked sole, lima beans Pork chop, beans, salad Wed/SunBaked apple with walnuts Tuna, apple, & pecan salad Turkey ham, sweet potato, cucumbers ThursdayYogurt & pineapple Baked salmon Steak, peas

Living with Food Allergies What about eating out? Ask questions Eat simply prepared foods Choose a restaurant with a variety of choices Avoid fast food restaurants

Living with Food Allergies What happens after 90 days? Slowly reintroduce foods on the list Keep a record of reactions

Living with Food Allergies What if I fall off the wagon? Be prepared to have symptoms Get back on the diet Don’t eat the offending food two days in a row

Living with Food Allergies Are there any additional benefits to this diet? Relief from allergies Low cholesterol Low in carbohydrates Improved overall health