AIP

The Autoimmune Paleo protocol is an elimination diet, designed to identify food intolerances.  It is not meant to last forever.  The AIP diet, or Autoimmune Paleo protocol, is a diet designed to offer relief to those suffering from autoimmune diseases. The diet is used to help heal certain inflammatory issues triggered in the digestive system. When the body has an autoimmune response, the body’s immune system begins to attack itself because it cannot tell the difference between its own healthy cells and tissue and a foreign or invading body. There are dozens of autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, Hashimotos, lupus, and psoriasis to name a few. The AIP diet helps eliminate foods that can aggravate or trigger these disorders. The AIP diet starts with a strict elimination phase, in which foods that are possible irritants to the gut and immune system are removed from the diet. Over time, as autoimmune systems begin to improve, foods are gradually and systematically added back into the diet. That way, the dieter can analyze the sensitivity to the reintroduced food, judging whether its healthful or harmful depending on how the body reacts. The key is to pinpoint which foods are causing trouble — and permanently remove them from the diet. The end goal of the AIP diet is to reset the immune system, reduce inflammation, and return the gut to a healthy state.

 Food to Eliminate Permanently:

• Grains (including corn and gluten)
• Processed Food
• Emulsifiers and Thickeners (guar gum, carrageenan, etc.)
• Refined Oils
• Refined Sugars
• Dried Legumes (including soy and peanuts)
• Stevia (and other non-nutritive sweeteners)

Foods to Eliminate for At Least 30 Days and Reintroduce:

• Eggs
• Dairy
• Nuts (including nut-based oils)
• Seeds (including coffee and cocoa and seed-based oils)
• Nightshades (both vegetables and spices)
• Fresh Legumes (green beans and green peas)
• Alcohol
• Fruit-based and Seed-based Spices

Foods to eat on the AIP diet:

• Grass-fed meats (including nutrient-dense organ meats)
• Wild-caught fish and seafood
• Poultry that was not soy-fed
• Fruit: berries, citrus fruit, apples, cherries, etc.
• Leafy green vegetables (spinach, endive, herbs, etc.)
• Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, kale, etc.)
• Root vegetables (carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, etc.)
• Fermented vegetables (kombucha, sauerkraut, etc.)
• Sea vegetables
• Avocados
• Olive oil and coconut oil
• Vinegars that have no sugar added (balsamic, red wine, cider vinegars)
• Herbs

You should  consult a physician, health coach, or dietitian before starting an AIP diet. These resources can help you manage the AIP diet, helping you refine and adapt the diet to meet your individual needs, while addressing concerns about meeting vitamin and mineral requirements, the possibility of elevated levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, etc.