Nice guidance published this week aimed at children’s health professionals says there is no clinical evidence that such tests work.
These include hair analysis, the Vega test that measures energy levels and muscle testing also known as kinesiology.
Dr Adam Fox, a consultant in paediatric allergy at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London and contributor to the guidance, said: "Many parents often turn to alternative methods to help diagnose their child, but there is currently little evidence base for these approaches.
"Parents often end up putting their children on very extensive restriction diets following the inaccurate diagnosis, which can leave them malnourished, as well as wasting time and money."
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