If you've been diagnosed with an autoimmune disease or another inflammatory condition, you may choose to follow an Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) meal plan delivery. An AIP diet can greatly help reduce your symptoms and prevent you from having to rely as heavily on medications
The term “Autoimmune” essentially means “attacking self”. When it comes to autoimmune disease, the body produces antibodies that attack its own tissues, leading to the deterioration and in some cases to the destruction of these tissues.
One of the factors contributing to symptoms in autoimmune disease is intestinal permeability or “leaky gut”. This occurs when the intestinal lining becomes more permeable and food particles and ingested toxins easily leak into the bloodstream, causing antibodies to be triggered.
As these antibodies attack the foreign invaders, they also attack your body’s own tissues in the process, leading to inflammation, and many of the symptoms associated with various autoimmune diseases.
The AIP Diet
An Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet works to reduce inflammation in the intestines. Many “clean eating” programs or elimination diets are not complete enough to remove immune triggers that promote inflammation in the gut. AIP meal plans work to calm inflammation in the gut and the body. Although autoimmune disease can never be cured, it can be put into remission by targeting improved gut health.
For some, an initial AIP protocol of 6-12 weeks (along with digestive support including probiotics and enzymes) allows for sufficient healing to return to eating a more inclusive diet, even on occasion. This is determined by a lengthy re-introduction process.
For others, it can be years, or even a lifetime commitment as certain foods may continue to provoke an inflammatory response. Every case is individual and each person is different. It becomes a matter of finding what works for you.
What to Eat & What to Avoid On The Autoimmune Protocol Diet
What to Avoid
- Eggs
- Nuts/Seeds
- Grains
- Dairy
- Beans & Legume (Including Peanuts)
- Nightshades (potatoes-sweet potatoes are ok, tomatoes/tomato sauce, eggplants, sweet and hot peppers, cayenne, red pepper, tomatillos, goji berries etc. and spices derived from peppers and paprika)
- Alcohol
- Seed oils (corn, canola, soybean, sunflower, safflower, grapeseed etc.)
- Fructose consumption in excess of 20-30g per day (1-2 servings/fruit per day)
- NSAIDS (like aspirin or ibuprofen)
- Artificial and non-caloric sweeteners
- Sugars & added-sugar
- Conventional Processed/Packaged Foods
- Emulsifiers, thickeners, and other food additives
- Coffee
What to Eat
Although AIP may initially sound particularly restrictive, there are, in fact, may delicious, nutrient dense foods that can be eaten and prepared to provide variety and tasty meals.
- High quality, humanely raised meats, poultry and seafood
- Vegetables (except nightshades)
- Fruits (limit to 1-2 fruits per day)
- Coconut, including coconut oil, manna, creamed coconut, coconut aminos, canned coconut milk, shredded coconut
- Fats: olive oil, coconut oil, avocado oil, lard, bacon fat, duck fat, tallow, schmaltz
- Fermented Foods (coconut yogurt, kombucha, water and coconut kefir, fermented vegetables)
- Bone Broth
- Herbal Teas
- Green Tea
- Vinegars: Apple Cider Vinegar, Coconut vinegar, red wine vinegar, balsamic
- Natural Sweeteners: occasional and sparse use of honey and maple syrup
- Herbs: all fresh and non-seed herbs (basil tarragon, thyme, mint, oregano, rosemary, cilantro, bay leaf, basil, chives, peppermint savory, edible flowers)
- Spices (sea salt, curry, dill, cinnamon, cloves, turmeric, vanilla, onion powder, garlic, ginger)
Drawbacks Of The AIP
Although the Autoimmune Protocol diet can leave you feeling more energetic, less inflamed and experiencing possible downregulation or even remission of your condition, a few drawbacks to be aware of include:
- Overthinking your food
- Stress about how your body will respond to foods
- Feeling limited in your food options and choices
- Cravings and challenges with adhering to the diet due to perceived limited variety and choices
- Isolation (not feeling like you can go out or be with people)
- Unwanted weight loss due challenges in creating nutritious meals without familiar ingredients
When taking on the challenge of an AIP diet, mindset is particularly important but incredibly challenging. You may want to take things one step further and remove one of the many stresses of living with an autoimmune condition – sourcing the right ingredients and creating delicious meals.
Signing up for an Autoimmune Protocol meal delivery service like Pete’s Real food offers many benefits, including:
Less Stress Over Ingredients & Unwanted Cross-Contamination
When you sign up for a Pete’s Real Food Autoimmune Protocol meal delivery, all meals are delivered straight to your door. We have taken the time and effort to figure out which foods meet the high standards of AIP diet and then sustainably source and prepare those foods. You not only get the right foods, but the highest quality, most nutrient dense options too. Our entire facility is gluten free and all AIP meals are prepared with the utmost of care reducing any risk of cross-contamination. You don't have to spend the time researching and questioning things each time you eat. Autoimmune Protocol meal delivery makes mealtimes more enjoyable again because it takes the guesswork out of eating.
Removes Grocery Store Overwhelm & Temptation
When you go to the grocery store, you are often faced with all sorts of delicious foods that you know you can't eat on an AIP diet. This can be very stressful and tempting when you know these options are not appropriate for you. When you sign up for our autoimmune meal delivery options, you will greatly reduce the number of trips you take to the grocery store. This not only gives you more time to spend doing things you love, but means fewer instances of temptation and the associated stress. Stress has been shown to make autoimmune disease symptoms worse and any way to reduce stress will support your healing journey.
Provides Variety With Chef-Prepared Meals
AIP cooking can be challenging and many following an AIP diet end up eating a lot of the same foods, over and over again. It is easiest to figure out a few “safe” foods and meals and stick to it than the hassle of learning and experimenting with new recipes and ideas. With our Autoimmune meals, you'll be exposed to more foods and dishes. Chef Pete has put time into creating unique and exciting meals to keep things fresh and interesting. Meals are rotated seasonally to provide even more variety! You'll be going on a fun culinary journey even though you're still sticking to your AIP diet.
For those with auto-immune diseases, an Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) meal delivery service can be really helpful. Look into all the mouth-watering sections Pete’s Real Food has to offer here >>>>>
