It is essential to rule out food intolerances as a cause of sleep problems. In one study of infants, sleeplessness was eliminated by removing cow’s milk from the diet and then reproduced by its reintroduction. Once you have identified the foods you are allergic to, the next step is to eliminate them from your diet. Initially, you should completely refrain from eating all allergenic foods for 60 to 90 days. After this period, you can begin to slowly reintroduce them into your diet. You should also vary the foods that you eat on a daily basis to avoid developing new allergies. You are likely to find that as you reintroduce the foods to which you were once sensitive, your old symptoms will not reappear. This is because most food allergies are temporary and can be cured through abstinence. Dr. Braly estimates that only about 5% of delayed food allergies are permanent.
Remember that eliminating an allergenic food can cause withdrawal reactions. “The majority of people who give up foods they’re allergic to go through a mild to moderate withdrawal phase, lasting one to five days, while the body detoxifies itself,” says Dr. Braly. Allergic symptoms may get worse during this period and cravings can be intense. If the allergy foods were also your comfort foods, you may experience emotional feelings of loss and distress. Dr. Braly explains that “once the withdrawal phase has passed, the cravings also abate, and the allergy sufferer is free of dependence on that food, free of both the physiological and psychological desire to consume it so frequently, and in such great quantities.”
