A review (JB Wechsler et al. J Asthma Allergy 2014; 7: 85-94) provides practical advice on dietary management of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE); the section on food reintroduction from elemental diets for patients with EoE is particularly helpful.  They start with typically less allergenic foods (group A) to most allergenic (group D) -from their Table 2:

Group A:

• Vegetables (nonlegume): carrots, squash, sweet potato, white potato, string beans, broccoli, lettuce, beets, asparagus, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts
• Fruit (noncitrus, nontropical) apples, pear, peaches, plum, apricot, nectarine, grape, raisins
• Vegetables: tomatoes, celery, cucumber, onion, garlic, and other vegetables

Group B

• Citrus fruit: orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime
• Tropical fruit: banana, kiwi, pineapple, mango, papaya, guava, avocado
• Melons: honeydew, cantaloupe, watermelon
• Berries: strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, cherry, cranberry

Group C

• Legumes: lima beans, chickpeas, white/black/red beans
• Grains: oat, barley, rye, other grains
• Meat: lamb, chicken, turkey, pork

Group D

• Fish/shellfish
• Corn
•  Peas
• Peanut
• Wheat
• Beef
• Soy
• Egg
• Milk

Also, this review includes a long list of “freebie” foods allowed while on elemental diet, including artificial flavors/colors, corn syrup, oils, salt, crystal lite, and many others.

The authors note that “in our practice, the period of exclusive elemental formula is limited to 4 weeks prior to therapeutic assessment by endoscopy and reintroduction…Single foods are introduced every 5-7 days” within a group and then endoscopy after 3-4 foods are clinically tolerated.”  Foods from groups C and D are introduced more cautiously.

Also noted: HM Ko et al. Am J Gastroenterol 2014; 109: 1277-85.  This retrospective study of 30 children with severe gastric eosinophilia (mean age 7.5 years) provides a good deal of useful information.  Key point: “the disease is highly responsive to dietary restriction therapies.”  82% of patients responded to dietary restrictions and 78% had a histologic response as well.  Dietary treatments included amino acid-based diet in 6 (n=6), 7-food group empiric diet (n=6), and empiric avoidance of 1-3 foods (n=5).  Pharmacologic treatments (proton pump inhibitor or cromolyn) were attempted in a total of four patients in this series with half responding clinically and one of four responding histologically.

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Disclaimer: These blog posts are for educational purposes only. Specific dosing of medications/diets (along with potential adverse effects) should be confirmed by prescribing physician/nutritionist.  This content is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified healthcare provider. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a condition.