Figuring out what you can and cannot eat on an elimination diet is not always straightforward. Whether you are eating an elimination diet to find food intolerances, for weight loss, or improved gut health it’s a good idea to know what you can and cannot eat.
That’s why I put together this huge list of the best elimination diet snacks. So, let’s get started reviewing them!
Can I Snack On An Elimination Diet?
Yes, you can definitely eat snacks on an elimination diet. The whole point of an elimination diet is to remove specific foods from your diet, not to limit how much you eat.
When you eat snacks you will want ensure you are not eating anything with ingredients you are aiming to avoid. This might include things like dairy or soy. So, let’s start by reviewing the foods you should not eat on an elimination diet.
Elimination Diet Foods & Ingredients To Avoid
An elimination diet is designed to find any foods that are causing disruptions to your body including inflammation or hormonal imbalance. The foods and ingredients in foods that are typical triggers for these issues include the following:
- Soy
- Dairy
- Caffeine
- Sugar
- Alcohol
When my students participate in my elimination diet program, these are the foods that are eliminated. After 28 days you then slowly reintroduce these foods back to your diet to see if your body has a negative reaction. With this information in-hand, let’s review all the various snack ideas that are safe for an elimination diet.
Elimination Diet Snack Ideas
You might be surprised to find out there are so many choices for tasty snack choices on an elimination diet. Here’s an extensive list of my top choices.
Vegetables (Any Except Corn)
The great news is any vegetable is acceptable except corn! Here’s a list of some vegetables that are great for snacks.
- Carrots
- Celery
- Broccoli
- Snap peas
- Bell peppers
- Cucumbers
- Radishes
- Beets
- Cauliflower
- Sweet potatoes
- Roasted chickpeas
I also love pairing a large selection of the list above with hummus.
Fruit
You can eat any fruit on an elimination diet! That’s really great news, right? Here’s a list of the best fruits for hormone balance and snacking.
- Apples
- Pomegranates
- Oranges
- Grapefruit
- Avocado
- Blueberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
- Raisins / dried fruit – make sure there is no added sugar
- Olives (yes, these are a fruit)
Protein
Sometimes eating a little protein in the afternoon is a great pick me up. Here are some great high protein snack choices.
- Eggs
- Sardines
- Deli meat – make sure it only has approved ingredients
- Tuna
- Canned salmon
- Sugar-free bacon
Nuts & Seeds
Last but not least, nuts and seeds are an excellent snack choice and they are safe to eat on an elimination diet. Here’s a list of ideas.
- Almonds
- Almond butter
- Brazil nuts
- Cashews
- Hazelnuts / filberts
- Macadamia nuts
- Pecans
- Pistachios
- Walnuts
- Flax seeds
- Pine nuts
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sesame seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Sun butter
You should now have some great options for snacks on an elimination diet!
That’s my list of the best elimination diet snacks. There’s a wide variety to choose from, so you should be set and not get too bored as you eat an elimination diet.
Finally, before you go you might be interested in my anti-inflammatory diet food list, to help you eat right. The foods on this list are all safe when you eat a typical elimination diet. Just fill in the form below.
Or, you can also check out my Mindful Elimination Program that takes the unique approach of combining an elimination diet with mindful eating.
