Autoimmune Protocol (AIP)

Get your pantry ready because we’ve got a variety of AIP products for you to choose from!

So…what is AIP?

The Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet is focused on reducing inflammation and other symptoms associated with autoimmune disorders, through the foods that you eat. Autoimmune disorders are conditions which cause your immune system to attack your healthy tissues accidentally. 

People who choose an AIP diet are focused on reducing symptoms like: inflammation, fatigue, pain, and swelling!

The goal of an AIP diet is to eat natural foods that are unprocessed, rich in vitamins & other nutrients, and to remove food groups that may cause allergic reactions and inflammation. 

Okay but…is AIP and Paleo the same? 

Both AIP and Paleo are similar in the sense that you’re focusing on eating natural and unprocessed foods. However, AIP is meant to be a short term diet that helps you identify what the cause of your various symptoms are. It is more restrictive but is not meant to be permanent because food groups are eventually slowly reintroduced back into your diet!

Whereas the Paleo diet is a long-term shift that is focused on getting away from processed, pre-packaged foods permanently. You can read more about the Paleo diet here.

That makes sense, but why AIP?

Part of the reason why people choose to go on an AIP diet is because it allows you to quickly remove many food groups that may be causing a variety of symptoms! It’s not a permanent diet so it allows you to get back to certain foods that you enjoy, that aren’t the cause of the symptoms your body is experiencing!

What to eat on an AIP Diet?

Foods that you can eat on an AIP diet include:

• Meat (check for any off-limits preservatives) + Seafood
• Specific Fruits; apples, apricots, avocado, bananas / plantains, blueberries, blackberry, cherries, clementines, cranberry, figs, guava, grapes, grapefruit, kiwi, lemons, limes, mango, melons, nectarine, oranges, papaya, peaches, pears, persimmons, plums, pomegranate, raspberry, strawberry, tangerine, and watermelon.
• Specific Veggies; artichoke, arugula, asparagus, avocado, beets, broccoli, broccoli rabe, brussels sprouts, bok choy, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chard, collard greens, cucumber, dandelion greens, fennel root, green cabbage, green beans, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms (all types), mustard greens, okra, onions, radish, shallot, scallion, spinach, summer squash, turnips, water chestnuts, watercress, and zucchini.
• Herbs & Spices (those not coming from seeds or nightshades)
• Natural fats / oils (unrefined and unprocessed)
• Specific Natural sweeteners; maple syrup, honey, cane sugar, coconut sugar, date syrup.
• Most teas; peppermint, ginger, lemongrass, spearmint, chamomile, rooibos, lavender, cinnamon, and milk thistle. Black and green tea (in moderation).

Foods to avoid on an AIP Diet

Foods that you should stay away from on an AIP diet include:

• Nightshades
• Grains; wheat, rye, barley, oats, corn, rice, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, millet, bulgur, sorghum, sprouted grains. **any additives made from these (brans, starches, germs) are also off-limits.
• Legumes; all beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, peanuts (peanut butter or hummus), and all forms of soy.
• All treenuts and seeds (any oils, flours, butters, or other products made from these are also off-limits)
• Spices derived from Seeds or Nightshades
• Dairy and all dairy products (cow, goat, and sheep’s milk products)
• Eggs from all animals
• Refined vegetable oils, or oils made from any Off-Limits ingredients (such as peanut or corn oil)
• Most added natural / artificial sugars and sweeteners; including but not limited to; brown and white sugar, any -ose syrups (ex. Glucose syrup), agave nectar, xylitol, erythritol, monk fruit extract, stevia, Splenda etc.
• Alcohol in any form (even as a cooking ingredient).
• Most common food additives such as carrageenan, MSG, or sulfites (other than those naturally occurring in garlic, onions etc.)
• Coffee

Cutting out specific food groups can be difficult, that’s why we’re here to provide you with a selection of AIP foods and products to make your transition as smooth as possible!