6fed is a targeted elimination diet built around removing six of the most common food allergens to support gut healing, reduce inflammation, and identify dietary triggers. Originally developed to manage conditions like Eosinophilic Gastrointestinal Diseases (EGIDs) and Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), 6fed has evolved into a broader protocol for those seeking a digestive reset; especially after antibiotics or during periods of gut distress.
So what should you avoid?
The six foods typically removed during the elimination phase are:
- Dairy
- Wheat
- Eggs
- Soy
- Fish and Shellfish
- Tree Nuts and Peanuts
These foods are excluded for 6–8 weeks, allowing the gut to calm and symptoms to subside. After this phase, foods are reintroduced one at a time to identify sensitivities.
Why these foods? (I <3 them so much!)
These ingredients are among the most common dietary allergens and are known to contribute to:
- Chronic inflammation
- Immune system dysregulation
- Gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, reflux, and abdominal pain
Research shows that eliminating these foods can lead to symptom improvement in up to 70% of patients with EoE. Personally speaking, I find avoiding these foods removes 80% of my symptoms but I also have removed a few others that I know trigger me (salmon, tomatoes, yeast etc.).