The Autoimmune Protocol diet emphasizes eliminating unwanted inflammation from the body by eliminating food-driven triggers. It is a relatively new diet approach and focuses on the following goals:
1. It eliminates the foods that cause inflammation so that the immune system of the body can be reset properly.
2. It restores healthy gut function and improving the gut microbiome.
3. It focuses on consuming nutrient-dense foods.
4. It allows you to find the foods that trigger autoimmune flares and ultimately keep them out of your diet.
This diet needs to be followed strictly, in order to see results. To achieve positive outcomes, one needs to follow the autoimmune protocol diet for at least 30 days. Some women take over 30 days per phase and that is ok. It is not about perfection but progress. But you should plan on the entire diet taking between 60 and 90 days.
There are two phases to the diet:
Elimination phase
The Elimination phase usually is broken down into two stages. The first stage being transition where you gradually take out the common allergens: nuts, seeds, grains, dairy, nightshades, and alcohol. Then the second stage you maintain this diet for at least 2 weeks to let your gut heal from eliminating the common food groups. During this second phase you are documenting in a journal the symptoms that are going away. This will be very valuable to you as some symptoms will go away quickly.
Reintroduction phase
After the elimination period, foods are reintroduced to the diet. The foods are introduced slowly and one at a time. You want to monitor for return of the autoimmune symptoms that went away during the first phase. This phase usually takes two weeks. But some clients will take a lot more time to make sure each food group is monitored. Again, progress not perfection.
Benefits of Autoimmune protocol diet:
Is the autoimmune protocol diet beneficial? Well, it definitely is. One study showed that the Autoimmune Protocol diet reduces inflammation and encouraged remission in 78% of the study participants. Decreasing inflammation is a key factor in healing with an autoimmune disorder. Remember, 70% of your immune system is located in your gut.
The basic idea of the AIP is to eliminate the foods that cause leaky gut and allow your gut lining to heal. Thus making your digestion better long term. I make no claims that the Autoimmune Protocol will work for everyone, but it has certainly been a beneficial for many of my clients.
Why do you need support?
The Autoimmune Protocol is a specialty elimination diet and is best executed with a solid plan and lots of support. I talk to women regularly who have tried this diet and failed (repeatedly) because they were trying to go it alone. While there is a lot of information out there on the AIP diet, it is a complex protocol and can be difficult to sustain if you are not on a set plan. If there was ever a time to work with a professional health coach – it’s to set up the AIP!
It is a restrictive diet and for some women hard to incorporate into a busy mom life. This is where group coaching or personal coaching can help. I can help women change the protocol to fit their needs. Maybe they need a PALEO approach or a clean eating approach. Understanding the science behind the disease and how to use the AIP to your advantage is what makes me unique as a health coach.
Join the group and change your life:
Hundreds or maybe thousands of women are taking control of their health and renewing it with the help of Autoimmune Protocol. There is obviously no concept of one size or diet plan suiting all types of immune systems, with the AIP you will find the just right foods for your body. If you have significant health problems or take medication, talk to your doctor before trying the AIP diet.
Are you a mamma trying to achieve balance with an autoimmune disorder?
Check out my blog post on tips to becoming an autoimmune mamma.
It is sometimes hard to know what snacks are good for the AIP diet.
This is an EASY guide to picking the right foods.
Snag your FREE guide
