Systematically reintroducing foods from one food group at a time allows you to gauge how these foods make you feel and if they cause any problems. Your body hasn't dealt with some of the foods in these groups for a few weeks, so you'll want to introduce each new food in small portions.

Also, it is possible to have a food allergy or intolerance that you don't know about, so one of the key aspects of reintroduction is to keep a food experience journal of how each food makes you feel.

Post-Purification Process

You'll follow the purification diet (days 11-21) until you and your health care professional decide to reintroduce the foods you want to add back into your diet. It's important to undertake this process with your health care professional's guidance.You should work together to decide which foods you want to reintroduce and decide what you should do if you have a reaction.

Let your body be your guide. If you reintroduce a new food and feel bloated or gassy, have a headache, or have any other symptom, note it in your food experience journal and talk to your health care professional.

The Difference Between Allergies and Food Intolerance

Allergies

An allergic reaction happens when the body's immune system mistakes a part of a food for something harmful. Foods that cause the most problems for adults are peanuts, tree nuts (like walnuts or almonds), fish, and shellfish. Any food can cause an allergy, but some other “highly” allergenic foods are: milk, eggs, soy products, and wheat. Allergic reactions usually happen fast—minutes to hours after eating the allergen.

Food Intolerances

Food intolerance is the digestive system's response to the part of a food or additive that it can't process or that causes irritation. Sugar intolerance, for example, could be from a biological cause in which the body lacks the enzymes needed to process lactose or fructose. It could also be from an additive, such as a sugar substitute in diet foods, that is poorly absorbed by the gut.

The body's response to food intolerance is usually based on portion: A small amount provokes a small reaction; a large portion provokes a larger reaction. The time frame for problems is longer too. The body's reaction to food intolerance can take place immediately or over a few days.

Food Reintroduction

Grains

Choose whole grains instead of refined grains, which have most of their nutrients removed. Eat a healthy range of whole grains that includes quinoa, spelt, bulgur, steel-cut oatmeal, brown rice, and barley.

Dairy

These foods are nutritionally dense and provide a host of nutrient components such as calcium and protein.

Nuts and Seeds (Raw)

Nuts and seeds can supply necessary oils to the diet. Nuts are concentrated sources of fuel, so portion control is important. A handful a day is plenty for most people.

Shellfish

Shellfish, like shrimp and mussels, can add important nutrients such as protein and iodine to the diet.

Eggs

Eggs provide an important source of protein, iron, and B vitamins.

Portion Control

Portion control as detailed in the patient guide will help optimize post-purification results.

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