The AIP Diet

I feel like I am having Deja vu right now, because I am constantly revisiting inflammation. Most (if not all) people with autoimmune disorders experience chronic inflammation. In my Facebook groups, I discovered the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet. Apparently, it is the bomb.com and the results decrease inflammation in the body. If you are someone who experiences any chronic pain or know someone who does, this might be a helpful resource. This diet can also help anyone who is trying live a very clean lifestyle.

What is the AIP diet?

The Autoimmune Protocol diet is a very strict, food based diet that reduces major symptoms (pain, fatigue, etc.) caused by autoimmune diseases. One trigger that I experienced that really worsened my disorder, is having a "leaky" gut. A leaky gut in a nutshell is when the lining of your small intestines has been damaged. That comes from many factors such as antibiotics, stress, and a bad diet. The AIP diet suggest foods that can help heal the gut, which reduces inflammation. *Ques the bomb* So wait a minute, you are telling me that FOOD from this beautiful Earth can heal the body? I could have sworn I heard that somewhere before. *sips turmeric ginger tea*

Do's and Don'ts

Okay, this is the fun part. Here are a list of foods that you can and can't eat during this diet. I literally held my breath as I was researching. I found the bulk of my information from Wellness Mama and The Paleo Mom. You'll be surprised on what you might have thought was healthy, actually promotes inflammation. The following two images are a list from Unbound Wellness that summarizes what you can and can't consume during this process.

Wheww I pray to God that nightshades are not my triggers. Read my post about Night Shade Vegetables for more info! Just a helpful tip that is not stated on the list, try to lean towards more wild-caught, grass fed, high quality meat. That means cut down on the Food Depot and the 5 for 20 Wayfield meat (if you've been there, you know exactly what I'm talking about). Probiotic and highly fermented drinks are great, such as kombucha and kefir. There are also things that you can consume in moderation such as salt and natural sugars (yes fruit is healthy, but has a lot of sugar).

Phases & Re-introduction

To really see results, you should stay on this holistic journey for about 30 days. The good news is, you don't have to live this lifestyle forever. The "somewhat" bad news is, you might have to live this lifestyle forever. Once your 30 days are over, it is time to slowly re-introduce foods to see which ones are a trigger. If it is a trigger, I suggest you let it go. Baby, I love cheese, but it does not like me!! However, on the bright side there are always substitutes. *Praises God* According to healthline.com, here are some steps to take to re-introduce foods to your diet. Chileeee, it's a process!

Decide on one food to re-introduce at a time, and eat it for about a few times a day. Then, take it away for about 5-6 days. During those days, you are watching for symptoms. Here is the break down on how it works:

1. When you are testing the food for triggers, take about a teaspoon of it and see how your body responds.

2. If you notice any symptoms from the teaspoon amount, then avoid it completely. If you don't notice any symptoms, increase your portion to 1 1/2 tablespoons and see what happens in a few hours.

3. If there are no symptoms after that increase, then eat regular portions of the food. After 5-6 days, if you are not feeling any symptoms then you are good to go!

After that, you are choosing and repeating. By 30 days, some of the food that you couldn't live without (cheesy nachos), might not be anything you are interested in anymore. That should make the process a little easier.

Keeping It Real (100)

I haven't tried the AIP diet, however I've heard nothing but positive results. It was to the extent to where I needed to share it with you. Right now my diet consist of no dairy, no gluten, wild caught seafood, grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables. The alcohol and sugar is a hit or miss. With the holiday season coming up, who knows what I will try to eat? *shrugs*

Even though my scalp inflammation is little to none, I've noticed an increase in inflammation in the rest of my body. The AIP diet is probably a good segue to get my body back in order. Hopefully, not too much damage will be done from Thanksgiving and Christmas. Either way, realistically I would like to start the New Year with this life style change and see how my body responds. If you're interested in joining with me, let me know. We are in this together!! In the meantime, don't stress yourself out! The holiday season is approaching, which should mean family, fun, and cheer. Don't forget to get enough rest, exercise and practice self-care. Your body will appreciate it, and as always mask up!!

Victoriously & Holistically,

Gia

“Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.”

-Maya Angelou

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As a disclaimer, not every diet is created for all people. Make sure that you always do your research, and consult a medical health professional if needed.