One of the most important factors in identifying potential food triggers is your own observation. Keeping a food diary in which you note down everything you consume is a useful way of detecting whether there is any significant pattern of reaction to a particular food or foods.
Following are a few useful tips for keeping a food diary and an example of how to set one out.
- The diary should be designed to make it easy for you to fill in and refer to
- Get a new exercise book or blank diary and make this your food diary. Label it clearly and make sure it is a good size so that you can carry it with you when you are out and about for the day
- If the diary is for a child, then make sure that the child’s day care teacher, nanny or babysitter also has a copy or knows how to fill it out
- Include any medication that is taken and creams / oils that are applied
- Review the diary on a regular basis. Look back each day and add any additional information that may help
- Have a food index page at the back of the diary to note down the ingredients that are in a favorite dish or food that you eat regularly. This will prevent the need to list down the ingredients each time the food is consumed
- Take the diary with you all the time and especially when you go to your GP or naturopath. They will find it a very useful tool and will be able to help you identify trigger