During a fast, drinking plenty of water is essential. The body can live off its fat reserves for several days, but it needs water daily. Distilled water is best during a fast, since a few people are sensitive to ingredients in tap water.

Still, going without food is stressful, and most physicians who use fasting as a diagnostic tool do not recommend that people try it on their own, especially if they have diabetes, hypoglycemia, are underweight or suffer any chronic illness. Ideally, a person on an allergy fast should be away from the home, school or work environment to avoid allergens which may be reinforcing (or confusing) any reactions to food. In some cases, that calls for hospital-controlled fasting.

Because of both the inconvenience and stress on the body, allergy doctors feel that fasting is best reserved for highly allergic people.

As an alternative to a total fast, some doctors will allow an individual just one food at each meal during the test period (three to five days). That’s monotonous, but less gruelling.

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