Allergies & Rotation Diets

Rotation diets are sometimes recommended to people with multiple allergies to prevent the formation of new allergies. The basic concept of a rotation diet is to eat biologically related foods on the same day, and then avoid eating those foods again for a period of time. Rotation diets are often used in conjunction with elimination diets to prevent and treat food allergies.

Significance

• Food allergies occur when the body's immune system attacks a food protein, believing it is a harmful substance. As many as 12 million Americans suffer from one or more food allergies, some of which are potentially fatal. Because most allergies are dose related, the more exposure a person has to a potential allergen, the more likely his body will create antibodies to that item.

Function

• By limiting your exposure to potential allergens and high-risk foods, rotation diets provide your body with a rest period and reduce the likelihood that you will develop another allergy. Specific foods are eaten and then avoided for several days following ingestion. To reduce the risk of developing a peanut allergy, for example, eat peanut butter on day one, and then avoid eating peanuts or anything containing peanuts on days two, three, four and five. You must also avoid anything processed using peanuts, peanut oil and any foods related to peanuts.

Advantages

• Rotation diets enable you to reduce your risk of developing additional allergies. They also help you identify problem foods that may already be causing a slight reaction. After a few weeks, you may notice mild allergic symptoms disappearing that you were unaware of before beginning the diet. When this occurs, it is easy to identify and eliminate the offending food from your diet.

Disadvantages

• Allergy rotation diets can be difficult to implement, especially if you are not used to monitoring your eating habits. They also may be expensive to start up, because you need to purchase replacement foods and cooking products for use when you are avoiding common ingredients, such as wheat, soy or milk. However, following a rotation diet becomes easier with time, and a nutritionist or allergist may be able to offer suggestions to assist you.

Considerations

• Rotation diets should not be used for young children due to the risk of nutritional deficiencies. Pregnant or breastfeeding women, and anyone who suffers from serious health conditions should also avoid using allergy rotation diets. It is important to consult a nutritionist or other trained professional for help developing your rotation diet to make certain you obtain adequate vitamins, minerals and other nutrients every day.