Elimination Diet for IC/BPS
An elimination diet is a short, organized experiment—not a permanent shrinking list. It is most useful when baseline tracking suggests a manageable group of possible triggers.
Before starting
- Check whether infection, a medication change, constipation, or another factor may explain the flare.
- Choose a stable period when possible.
- List foods you already tolerate and how you will meet nutrition needs.
- Ask for dietitian support if your diet is narrow or medically complex.
Step 1: define the question
Choose one category or a small group to test. Write down the expected duration, symptoms you will track, and what result would count as meaningful.
Step 2: simplify briefly
Keep meals adequate and consistent while removing only the selected item or category. Do not reduce fluid or calories aggressively.
Step 3: reintroduce
When symptoms are reasonably stable, reintroduce one item in a planned amount and observe. A reaction may depend on dose, preparation, or combination, so one trial is not always conclusive.
Step 4: broaden again
Return tolerated foods. The goal is the widest comfortable, nutritious diet—not perfect control through avoidance.