Feingold Diet
Best Bets
Nonsalicylate fruits that may be eaten at any stage of the program include:
During stage two, all foods free of synthetic additives are acceptable, including, but not limited to:
- Bamboo shoots
- Bananas
- Beans of all types
- Breads (without artificial colors or flavors)
- Lentils of all types
- Cabbage
- Celery
- Cereals (without artificial colors or flavors)
- Dairy products
- Eggs
- Fish (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- Lettuce
- Meat (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- Peas of all types
- Poppy seeds
- Potatoes
- Poultry (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- Shellfish (fresh, canned, or frozen)
- Tapioca
Foods to Avoid
The Feingold Association recommends that naturally occurring salicylates are removed from the diet in the early weeks of the program. Under the guidance of a practitioner knowledgeable in the Feingold diet, people with a sensitivity (or suspected sensitivity) to salicylates should avoid all foods containing salicylates to see if symptoms improve. These include:
- Almonds
- Apples
- Apricots
- Aspirin
- Berries (all)
- Cherries
- Cider and cider vinegar (apple)
- Cloves
- Coffee
- Cucumbers
- Currants
- Grapes
- Nectarines
- Oil of wintergreen (methyl salicylates)
- Oranges
- Peaches
- Peppers (sweet, chili)
- Pickles
- Plums
- Prunes
- Raisins
- Rose hips
- Tangerines
- Tangelos
- Tea
- Tomatoes
- Vinegar (cider, wine)
- Wine
In addition to salicylates, the following ingredients and additives should be avoided. These may be found not only in foods, but also in cleaning supplies, art supplies, and toiletries.
- Synthetic dyes
- Artificial flavorings (including the synthetic sweetener aspartame)
- Three preservatives: BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole); BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene); and TBHQ (tertiary butyl hydroquinone)
Nonfood Factors
Is This Diet Vegetarian-Friendly?
Yes. Vegetarians will need to learn the list of salicylate-containing fruits and vegetables, and when it's acceptable to reintroduce these to their diet.
Eating Out
Call ahead to find out what the restaurant offers. Give suggestions of what you can have, instead of what you can’t. The program’s website provides assistance with eating out, including a form letter that lists what a person following the Feingold diet must avoid, as well as suggestions for different types of restaurants. Some of their ideas are:
- Filet of fish sautéed in olive oil and garlic with lemon
- Baked potato with real sour cream or butter or steamed broccoli
- Fresh pears or pineapple for dessert