Do I have to do an exclusive elemental diet?
This is part 3 of my Elemental Diet series. I outline your options for the different ways you can use an elemental diet to facilitate gut rest, gut healing, and microbiome restoration. I'll tell you when it's best to switch to a 100% all-elemental diet (pre-digested liquids ONLY). And if you do well on a half-elemental diet (cheaper and easier!), while the other half of your foods are well-tolerated or low-residue foods. I also share stories about how my readers use Absorb Plus elemental shakes to prevent an illness flare-up or deal with stress.
- For Part 1, click here where I answer questions about the body's intolerance vs. Herxheimer response to an elemental diet.
- Click here for Part 2 where I discuss the purpose, effectiveness and applications of an elemental diet in restoring good health to a damaged gut.
Check out the video below:
Frequently Asked Questions About Elemental Diet Options
Q: Is an exclusively elemental diet necessary for good results?
A: No, times have changed! We used to believe that a complete intestinal perforation took three to six weeks. My first attempt? Six whole weeks – there was no way I would have done three, started again and then six more.
But a study from Japan changed everything. It introduced the “semi-elemental diet.” It's simple – half shakes, half plain foods. Surprisingly, it worked almost as well and was much easier to use. No more need for strict rules!
Q: Semi-Elemental Diet – What is it and when can you do it?
A: From my own experience and interactions with readers, many of them, when they feel a potential boost or just aren't feeling well, quickly make a move – bam! They switch to Elemental Shake for a few days, maybe three, to proactively ward off the impending outbreak. There is then a seamless transition back to low-residue, well-tolerated foods. Another approach is to consider the time of day when your digestive system tends to be more sensitive.
For some, it's dinner. Mornings and afternoons often bring greater resilience and tolerance, possibly due to higher energy levels. The closer the evening comes and tiredness sets in, the more sensitive the digestive system becomes. In such cases, opting for a basic shake, such as an Absorb Plus shake every night with dinner, is a preventative measure. This prevents potential problems from occurring. There is room for different strategies.
For example, some readers mix Absorb Plus shakes with fruits such as bananas, peaches or pears – mangos are also a popular choice. If you mix the unsweetened vanilla shake with the fruit of your choice and possibly add a dash of chia seeds or hemp seeds, you will have a well-tolerated meal.
Additional ingredients are selected based on what works well for their individual body and what their body can tolerate. Feel free to experiment and find what works best for you.
Exclusive Elemental diet to restore the microbiome
If your goal is to reboot the microbiome in conditions like SIBO, Crohn's disease, or colitis flare-ups, the recommendation is clear: stick to an exclusively elemental diet. This ensures a focused approach for optimal results.
For SIBO, an exclusive elemental diet is recommended, but the duration is shorter – only two weeks.
Listen to your body and gut
Ultimately, the key is to adapt to what works for your body and aligns with your goals. Listening to your gut is crucial as it will guide you to the best approach. Flexibility is essential and gives you the freedom to choose the path that suits you.
Explore more resources on the blog
Budget-friendly alternatives
If the cost of Elemental diet shake products is a concern, there is a resource for you. Check out my blog post titled “Common Foods to Heal Inflammatory Bowel Disease.” It offers alternatives – a variety of whole foods that can be mixed into well-tolerated shakes. Practical solutions for price-conscious people.
Browse my blog for a range of resources – from gut-friendly recipes to a list of low-residue foods. Whether you're looking for diverse recipes or information about gut-friendly foods, you'll have a wealth of information at your fingertips.
Request personalized support
If you need further advice or specific information, do not hesitate to contact us. Comment below and we'll point you in the right direction.
Diploma
I hope these videos and insights have proven valuable to you. If you have any further questions, feel free to leave them in the comments. We are here to support you on your elementary nutrition journey.
Jini Patel Thompson is an internationally recognized expert in natural healing for digestive diseases. She healed herself from widespread Crohn's disease and has been medication and surgery free for over 25 years. Jini has appeared on numerous podcasts, TV and radio shows in the US, UK, Canada and Australia, giving people hope and vision on how to heal their colitis, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) using all-natural methods. Her books on natural healing of digestive diseases have been sold in over 80 countries worldwide. Jini is married and has three children, nine sheep, 11 horses, a cat and three dogs.
