Allergy diet - elimination moderate
This document is part of the ACI Diet Specifications for Adult Inpatients. It is not to be used for patient education.
Aim
To provide a diet that excludes food chemicals that lead to moderate food sensitivity reactions.
Characteristics
Avoids or reduces salicylates, amines and the following additives:
- Antioxidants: Gallates (310-312), TBHQ (319), BHA (320), BHT (321)
- Colours: Yellows (102, 104, 110), reds (122-129), blues (132, 133), greens (142, 143), black (151), brown (155), Annatto (160b)
- Flavour enhancers: Monosodium glutamate (MSG, 621) and related flavour compounds (620, 622, 623, 624, 625, 627, 631, 635, 640, 641), Hydrolysed Vegetable Protein (HVP), Textured vegetable Protein (TVP)
- Preservatives: Sorbates (200-203), Benzoates (210-218 and PABA: Para-aminobenzoic acid), Sulphites (220-228), Nitrates and Nitrites (249-252), Propionates (280-283).
Indications
- patients admitted with moderate to severe allergic / food sensitivity reactions
- as a diagnostic test of food sensitivity.
Nutritional adequacy
This diet is not nutritionally adequate – supplemental vitamins and minerals are normally required.
Precautions
Requires supervision by a dietitian. Any allergens specific to individuals should be avoided.
Paediatrics
Suitable for use in paediatrics when combined with an age-appropriate diet.
Specific menu planning guidelines
| Allowed | Not allowed | |
|---|---|---|
| Hot main dishes | Plain cooked beef, lamb and chicken (without skin or stuffing) Whole eggs Fresh fish Dried and canned legumes without sauce Tofu | Ham, bacon, corned beef, salami Frozen and canned fish Pork, sausages Crumbed meat, fish and poultry |
| Sauces, gravies | None | - |
| Starchy vegetables / pasta / rice | Plain fresh cooked potato, pumpkin Steamed rice, plain noodles, plain pasta and quinoa | All others |
| Vegetables | Green beans, cabbage, brussels sprouts, shallots, lettuce, celery, swedes, garlic, leek, beetroot, carrot, cucumber, parsnip, peas, sweet potato, zucchini (peeled), lettuce, fresh asparagus | All others |
| Soups | None | - |
| Sandwiches | Sandwiches made using allowed ingredients including plain cooked meat, whole egg or chicken | Ham, silverside, fish |
| Salads, dressings | Salads and dressings using allowed ingredients only | All others |
| Breads, cereals | Preservative-free bread only – check label Rice cakes Plain rice or wheat cereals, eg Rice Bubbles®, Weet-Bix™, All-Bran® Rolled oats | Most breads Corn Flakes®, muesli |
| Spreads | Butter Margarine without antioxidants and sorbates (e.g. Nuttelex™) | Margarine, jam, honey, peanut butter, yeast spread, hummus, tahini |
| Hot breakfast choices | Whole eggs and egg dishes using allowed ingredients Pancakes and croissants without preservatives and antioxidants | All others |
| Fruit | Fresh peeled pears, drained canned pears | All other fruits |
| Yoghurt | Plain natural or vanilla yoghurt, including soy yoghurt | Fruit yoghurt |
| Desserts | Soy custard, vanilla soy pudding, vanilla ice cream (without preservatives, artificial colourings or annatto) | All others |
| Milk and cheese | All plain milk Soy beverage Fresh ricotta and cottage cheese Cream cheese without preservatives Plain vanilla or carob rice drink | Flavoured milk, milkshakes Aged cheeses, e.g. cheddar and parmesan |
| Beverages | Water, milk Decaffeinated coffee, lemonade without preservatives Soy and rice beverage | Tea, coffee, soft drinks, cordial and juice |
| Biscuits | Rice cakes, some plain biscuits and crackers | Biscuits and crackers containing chocolate, coconut, dried fruit, jam, preservatives and antioxidants |
| Miscellaneous | Salt, sugar Oils without antioxidants (e.g. canola, sunflower, olive, rice bran, safflower) Cream, sour cream Cashews (30g serve per day, raw or lightly roasted) Cornflour | Pepper All other nuts Almond meal and hazelnut meal Sesame seeds and snacks Desiccated or shredded coconut Chocolate Herbs and spices (including cinnamon) Artificial sweetener Mustard (all types) Coconut milk or cream |
References
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Allergy Unit. RPAH Food Intolerance Handbook, Volume I: Diagnostic elimination diet. Sydney: RPAH 2016.
- Royal Prince Alfred Hospital Allergy Unit. RPAH Food Intolerance Handbook, Volume II: Challenges, liberalizing and maintenance. Sydney: RPAH 2016
- Swain AR, Soutter VL, Loblay RH. Friendly food: the complete guide to avoiding allergies, additives and problem chemicals. Sydney: Murdoch Books; 2004.
- National Health and Medical Research Council. Australian Dietary Guidelines. (2013): 1-226.