Elimination Diet

An elimination diet is a structured dietary intervention used to determine if specific foods are linked to chronic symptoms like digestive issues, skin flares, or joint pain. The process consists of an Elimination Phase (typically lasting 2 to 6 weeks where potential trigger foods are completely avoided) followed by a Reintroduction Phase, where eliminated foods are systematically added back one by one to monitor for adverse physical reactions.

Dosage by Body Weight

This protocol does not involve traditional pharmaceutical dosing. It requires strict avoidance of designated food groups (e.g., dairy, gluten, soy, eggs, nuts, shellfish) during the elimination phase, followed by a careful reintroduction of one food group every 3 to 4 days while maintaining a detailed food and symptom diary. It should ideally be conducted under the guidance of a registered dietitian or allergist.

  1. Body Weight
    Below 5 kg
    Dose
    Maternal elimination diet or specialized formula
    Frequency
    Daily
    Tracking Notes
    Infants must not undergo calorie-restricted diets. If breastfed, the mother may eliminate triggers. If formula-fed, use amino acid-based or extensively hydrolyzed formulas under pediatric supervision.
  2. Body Weight
    5-7 kg
    Dose
    Maternal elimination diet or hypoallergenic formula
    Frequency
    Daily
    Tracking Notes
    Ensure nutritional adequacy and continuous pediatric monitoring to avoid developmental or growth delays.
  3. Body Weight
    8-10 kg
    Dose
    Targeted pediatric elimination protocol
    Frequency
    Daily
    Tracking Notes
    Typically focuses on eliminating only the most common high-risk allergen groups (e.g., cow's milk, soy) rather than a broad-spectrum elimination.
  4. Body Weight
    11-15 kg
    Dose
    Targeted pediatric elimination protocol
    Frequency
    Daily
    Tracking Notes
    Adequate caloric intake must be maintained using allergy-safe alternatives. Limit the elimination phase to a maximum of 2 to 4 weeks to prevent nutrient deficiencies.
  5. Body Weight
    16-20 kg
    Dose
    Pediatric elimination and reintroduction protocol
    Frequency
    Daily
    Tracking Notes
    Involve the child in meal planning with safe alternatives to prevent dietary anxiety or food aversion. Must be overseen by a pediatric dietitian.

Formulation

Dietary ProtocolStructured Meal Modification

Purpose

A diagnostic and therapeutic protocol used to identify specific food intolerances, sensitivities, or allergens by systematically removing and then reintroducing food groups under clinical supervision.

Generic Name

Dietary elimination and challenge protocol

Branded Drug Names

Elimination Diet is listed as a generic drug name. Common branded medicines that may contain the same active ingredient include:

Scheduled Drug

No. This medicine is generally not treated as a scheduled/prescription-only drug in common consumer references, but local rules may vary.

Alternatives

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. WHO references and weight bands are simplified for tracking and must not replace medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting or changing any medication.