What is the AIP Diet Plan? – Definition
The AIP diet plan, also known as the Autoimmune Protocol diet, is specifically designed to minimize inflammation and alleviate symptoms associated with various autoimmune disorders.
To better understand this diet plan, we must first dive deeply into the term ‘Autoimmune disease’.
What are Autoimmune Diseases?
Certain health disorders and diseases cause the immune system of the human body to attack its tissues and organs.
This process isn’t natural, as the immune system is designed to protect the body from various health issues and disorders.
Thus, the occurrence of diseases and disorders like Lupus, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis mistakenly prompts the immune system to attack these tissues and body organs.
Eventually, the person diagnosed with such disorders experiences significant inflammation, fatigue, swelling, fever, and other skin-related issues.
This is where the AIP diet comes into the picture to help the person manage any such unwanted health situation.
What is an AIP diet?
What is the AIP diet plan?
Unlike many fad diets, the AIP diet follows a specific protocol focused on eliminating and then systematically reintroducing foods to identify potential dietary triggers for autoimmune symptoms.
You must cut down on the consumption of certain foods for a specific period while carefully tracking their impact on your health and well-being.
Simply put, the AIP diet involves adhering to a strict elimination phase for several weeks, during which you avoid all potential trigger foods without making other changes to your diet or lifestyle.
Most health experts have termed this AIP diet an extended version of the conventional paleo diet.
While following the AIP diet plan, you should primarily consume lean proteins, certain fruits, vegetables (excluding nightshades), and, initially, avoid seeds and nuts until they are reintroduced in later phases.
As the diet aims to include nutrition-rich food items, you cannot include processed food or food with added preservatives or sugars.
After following the elimination phase of the diet for several weeks, you then gradually reintroduce foods from the eliminated list one at a time to monitor for any adverse reactions. You must also track and notice any change or reaction in your body’s functioning.
Once the person notices a reaction or any unwanted inflammation, the particular food items must be excluded from their diet in the long term.
What food items need to be included in the AIP diet plan?
While there is no one-size-fits-all rule for the AIP diet, there are general guidelines about which foods to include and avoid to support individuals with autoimmune conditions.
Still, according to research and studies in the same respect, the following food items are recommended during the AIP diet.
- All the veggies (excluding Nightshade vegetables like tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers, eggplant)
- Fish, shrimp, oysters, prawns, and all the seafood options rich in omega-3 fatty acids
- Lean meat
- Fruits
- Healthy fats like avocado, olive oil, and coconut oil
So, it can be said the AIP diet emphasizes the consumption of all wholesome food options without any added sugar or preservatives.
What food items need to be excluded from the AIP diet?
Although individual responses to foods can vary, the AIP diet generally recommends excluding certain food groups known to potentially exacerbate autoimmune disorders.
- Vegetables from the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, bell peppers, eggplant)
- Grains
- Dairy
- Legumes
- Eggs
- Coffee
- Alcohol
- Processed and packaged foods with added sugars and preservatives
Is the AIP diet helpful?
The whole concept behind the AIP diet is to reduce the consumption of food items that trigger irritation and inflammation in the gut. Instead, the diet plan encourages the consumption of food options that are high in nutrition.
If you are diagnosed with specific issues regarding the bacterial composition within your body,
you must consume food items rich in nutrients and antioxidants.
This way, the disorder can be reversed, and the body’s healthy functioning can also be ensured.
So yes, the AIP diet plan can benefit your health during health issues and disorders.
Some specific research and studies have been conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of the AIP diet.
Most of those have confirmed that if practiced under the supervision of a certified physician or health expert, the diet can help you combat all such inflammations and irritations within the body.
The Bottom Line for the AIP Diet Plan
Scientists and health experts are still conducting research to analyze the impact of this diet on the human body.
So, one must practice this diet under the strict supervision of a trained medical professional.
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