Full fat dairy products and cheese (excluding yoghurt): Ricotta, cottage cheese, goats cheese or feta are better than hard cheeses however avoiding cheese altogether until the skin is clear. Nutritional yeast (also known as Brewer’s Yeast) gives food a savoury taste similar to cheese. Hummus or avocado are great alternatives to having cheese as a snack. Skim milk or seed/nut milks, coconut yoghurt are good alternative to full fat dairy. Note: non-dairy alternatives to cheese, chocolate, ice-cream etc. are often just as congesting. Avoid these foods altogether and focus on unprocessed, whole-foods instead.

Chocolate: Medjool dates, figs, date and carob balls or treats from the Bestow recipe books (don’t have too much coconut oil though).

Chocolate drink powders: Use cacao, carob, cinnamon, turmeric or a spice mix to make your own hot drinks using seed or nut milks. Add some honey, pure maple syrup or molasses for sweetness.

Ice cream: Gelato or blended frozen fruits.

Commercial mayonnaise: Bestow French Dressing or any other Bestow salad dressings (ask your therapist for our recipes), pesto or hummus.

Meat fat (especially sausages, mince and chicken nibbles), red meat and pork: Grilled or baked meat dishes favouring lean meats; chicken, turkey and fresh fish alternatives.

Coconut oil: Other oils such as olive or avocado.

Peanuts and cashews:  Raw, unsalted nuts such as almonds or brazil nuts.

Nut butters containing peanuts or cashews: Tahini or almond butter.

Chips: Make your own oven-baked sweet potato or kale chips using olive oil.

Fried fatty foods or takeaways: Grilled, steamed or baked foods, salads and stir fries.

Protein powders:  Eggs, almonds, walnuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, canned tuna, beans and Brewer’s Yeast. Add 1⁄4 cup of tinned white beans to your smoothie to boost protein levels.