Elimination diets are all the rage these days, but they can be hard to follow and even harder to stick with. For example, you might eliminate gluten from your diet in an attempt to find relief from your chronic pain or fatigue, but if you don’t carefully plan your meals, it could backfire and cause more problems than it solves. That’s why consulting with your doctor before you begin an elimination diet is so important—your doctor can help you craft a plan that will help you achieve your goals and help you get back on track if your symptoms return after the elimination period ends.

What is an elimination diet?

An elimination diet is a temporary diet that cuts out specific food groups or compounds. For example, some people may cut out gluten from their diets because they are sensitive or allergic to it. An elimination diet can help pinpoint which foods cause negative reactions and therefore make it easier for you to develop a personalized nutrition plan that works best for your body. Just remember, it's important to consult with your doctor before beginning any kind of diet. Since everyone's health and nutritional needs are different, eliminating certain foods could negatively impact you if you don't know how much of each food group you should be eating.

Does my doctor support this?

It can be a challenge for health care providers to keep up with all of the latest trends and developments in their field. If you're wondering whether your doctor is familiar with elimination diets, start by asking if she's heard of it before—then go from there. If your doctor isn't familiar with elimination diets, ask her what she thinks about them and if they're worth trying. She may suggest getting a second opinion or recommend you find a nutritionist who has more experience helping patients with food allergies or other eating disorders (such as picky eaters). Once you know what your doctor thinks about elimination diets, ask for her input on how you should get started and when she'd like to check in again once you've begun.