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)
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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.