Food intolerance diet: what to know

Food intolerance diets are not one universal menu. The right approach depends on the suspected food, your symptoms, existing conditions and usual diet. Removing foods without a plan can make meals unnecessarily restrictive and may hide another cause of bloating or diarrhoea.

A structured process often compares symptoms during avoidance with symptoms after planned reintroduction. Improvement is more meaningful when other major changes, such as supplements or meal timing, are recorded too.

Write down what you eat, the portion, timing and symptoms before changing your diet. Discuss the record with a clinician or nutrition professional. If a trial is appropriate, agree which food to change, how long to try it and how to reintroduce it.

Replace nutrients rather than simply removing foods. For example, an alternative source of calcium, protein or fibre may be needed. Nutrition Counselling can help with label reading, culturally familiar meals and a plan that works for work, school or travel.

Seek medical advice if symptoms persist, your diet becomes very limited, you are losing weight unintentionally or you cannot keep fluids down. Get urgent help for breathing difficulty, facial swelling, faintness or widespread hives after food.

Which food, if any, should I trial removing? What replacement foods cover the same nutrients? When should I reintroduce the food or consider Food Intolerance Testing?