The nutritional therapy approach follows several fundamental steps:

• Identifying Trigger Foods:The first step is determining which foods cause allergies or intolerances. Allergy tests or food intolerance detection methods may be used. Keeping a retrospective food diary is often recommended to identify the responsible food.
• Eliminating Trigger Foods from the Diet:Once allergens or intolerant foods are identified, they may need to be removed from the individual’s diet. Common allergens include dairy products, eggs, wheat/gluten, soy, seafood, and nuts. However, the specific allergens vary from person to person. Additionally, tolerance to an allergenic food can differ for each individual and may change over time. Food allergies that emerge in early childhood may diminish as the child grows. Therefore, regular monitoring is necessary to assess tolerance development and to avoid unnecessary dietary restrictions while maintaining overall health.
• Repairing Gut Permeability and Reintroducing Foods:Some food intolerances can be alleviated by restoring gut health, and certain intolerant foods may become tolerable in limited amounts. During this phase, careful monitoring is necessary when eliminating and reintroducing foods into the diet.
• Creating a Balanced Nutrition Plan:After removing allergenic foods, a personalized and nutritionally balanced diet plan is developed to meet the individual’s dietary needs. Alternative sources of protein, calcium (such as non-dairy substitutes), and other essential nutrients are included. Inadequate replacements for essential foods like milk, eggs, and wheat can lead to deficiencies in macronutrients and overall energy intake, increasing the risk of malnutrition. Diets lacking in protein, for example, may result in muscle loss and hinder growth and development.
• Nutritional Supplements:If certain allergenic foods are restricted for an extended period, vitamin and mineral supplements may be necessary to compensate for nutrient deficiencies.
• Regular Monitoring and Evaluation:Continuous follow-up is crucial to assess the effectiveness of the nutrition plan and make necessary adjustments. Since food allergies and intolerances can change over time, periodic re-evaluations and testing should be conducted.

In summary, an accurate diagnosis of food allergies or intolerances is essential for an effective dietary plan. Nutritional therapy is based on eliminating the problematic foods according to the type and severity of the allergy or intolerance, followed by regular monitoring and potential reintroduction of eliminated foods in a controlled manner.