Meaning of "if"

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

“Elimination diets, where certain foods are omitted from the diet temporarily, are one of the best, if most time-consuming, methods to diagnose a food allergy.”

Is this saying that if you’re willing to spend a long period of time trying, elimination diets are one of the best methods to diagnose a food allergy?

2

Hi all potted out,

I think you have slightly changed the emphasis with your explanation.The way the original sentence is written suggests that it is ‘one of the best methods’ first and then adds as an afterthought that it does take a long time.

A