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

– Avoid certain foods altogether– Eat other foods only on certain days– Follow the diet for 90 days

Living with Food Allergies

How restrictive is the diet?

Proteins Green vegetables

White/yellow/Orange Vegetables

Grains and flours

Beans and legumes Fruits

Nuts and seeds Fats/Oils

Beverages Spices/Herbs

Miscellaneous

Food Families

Living with Food Allergies

A week of sample menusDay Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Mon/Fri Egg, grapefruit

Shrimp, lettuce & carrots

Chicken, spinach, carrots

Tues/Sat Melon with prosciutto

Baked sole, lima beans

Pork chop, beans, salad

Wed/Sun Baked apple with walnuts

Tuna, apple, & pecan salad

Turkey ham, sweet potato, cucumbers

Thursday Yogurt & 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