Introduction

In order to begin the process of improving your health, it is important to eliminate any foods or ingredients identified as sensitive.

The idea of the Rotation Diet is to help you cope successfully and pleasantly with a restricted eating plan, so that you are well nourished and satisfied and that new sensitivities may not occur.

Avoid as much processed foods, preservatives and additives as possible. Even prepared foods like casseroles, spreads, loaves and soups may contain ingredients you should avoid. Eat simple, whole, identifiable foods, organic wherever possible. Thoroughly wash all fruits and vegetables. Check food labels often, especially if the package or price changes, because formulations can sometimes change without warning.

The Rotation Diet

By eating foods in a particular family one day and then omitting them for at least 3 days, you avoid a cumulative sensitising effect. This is the basic principle of the Rotation plan in that it provides a healthy dietary option. You need to avoid all foods you are sensitive to for at least 12 to 24 weeks, after which you may be able to reintroduce them successfully into your rotation diet, one by one.

Reintroducing Foods

If you decide to reintroduce intolerant foods after the 12 to 24 week elimination period you should start with the least reactive foods, i.e. the yellow, then orange, then red. Add one food at a time to your rotation diet starting at day one and then monitor for 4 to 5 days. If any symptoms resurface then immediately remove this food from your rotation plan and carry on to the next food.

Last Word of Caution

Do not use the Rotation Diet in place of a medical check up. Do not assume all symptoms are food sensitivity related. If you have symptoms be sure to consult your doctor to rule out serious disease. If you decide to eat an intolerant food during the 12 to 24 week elimination period, keep in mind your total allergy load. For example, if it is a hot, humid day and mould and fungus levels are obviously high, and you know you are allergic to mould, perhaps you will not want to eat any of the offending foods that day.

Also keep in mind that some foods cross-react with some inhalant allergens. For example, apple cross reacts with birch pollen. If you are aware of sensitivity to latex you should be wary of kiwi and/or bananas because they cross react too.

It is important to maintain a good nutritional balance during the elimination phase. Nutritional consultation as well as quality supplements can be very helpful in this regard.