AIP Diet (Autoimmune Protocol)

[junemc]

I have been reading about the above diet and I have decided to give it a try. For those who haven't heard of it, as the name suggests it is a diet for anyone with an autoimmune disease. It is basically a diet where for at least 30 days you exclude all foods which are believed to cause inflammation. If you improve you then reintroduce the banned foods one at a time to see if you react. There is lots about the diet on the internet and many people claim to have improved dramatically. I am still struggling to get a diagnosis of lupus and am not taking any medication so it seemed worthwhile giving the diet a go before I seek further medical assistance. I wondered if anyone has tried this diet and whether they have found it helpful? As its a difficult and very restrictive diet so any advice would be appreciated.

[NewEngland3]

You are dong the no gluten/no grains/no dairy/no eggs -so fruit/veggie but no legumes and meats?

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Dg at 22 w/lupus and 44 with kidney involvement which was 4 months ago I took a long hard look at my diet----I did notice always I had a mini arthritis flare 3-4 hours after eating meets/esp fatty meat/steaks and so on---- so I went radical with being vegan and no gluten--I couldn't also get rid of legumes and non gluten grains as I wouldn't have anything left o eat LOL.

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Resarching online there is the AIP/paleo vs the vegan option--I have found people online that swear to one or the other

[junemc in reply to NewEngland3]

It is the Paleo AIP diet I am trying - so nothing but meat and fish plus some fruit and vegetables. It is tough but I only intend to stay on it for 30 days to see if there is any improvement. I will then slowly re-introduce other foods and try to work out what, if anything, is causing me problems. I am really missing carbs - no bread, pasta, rice, oatcakes or potatoes is difficult! Hopefully it will be worth it.

[Capaxnegotii in reply to NewEngland3]

I find lots to eat without dairy eggs, gluten legumes etc. I don't live to eat, I eat to live. If it means better health I commit to it. Do likewise.

[junemc in reply to Capaxnegotii]

I agree. I have now been on the AIP diet for 4 months and I have settled into a routine. I eat meat (mainly chicken) and lots of veg and fruit. I aim for a minimum of 3 portions of fruit and 4 of veg every day, although I usually exceed this. I have excluded eggs and dairy completely as I have discovered that I seem to react to them. I have substituted sweet potatoes for normal potatoes. I have bought a spiralizer and now spiralise courgettes and butternut squash to replace pasta and rice. My severe headaches have virtually disappeared and I have not experienced joint pain for months. I am also much less tired. There is no doubt in my mind that a good diet helps and I intend to stick with this diet.

[maggielee]

Hi my gp suggested a elimination diet, bur only for a couple of weeks & it did help my reflux calm down considerably. My body has slowly been telling me to eliminate certain foods if I want to or not, or suffer the consequences.... Sadly some breads are out, oats really react, no spices, it more now intolerances as my immune system has enough to do...

Hope it helps...ml

[slcoppedge]

My daughter-in-law has been recommended to try this diet. I am really considering it. I’d love to follow everyone’s results.

[Roarah]

In December after having very high antibody titers, I changed three significant things so not sure the diet changes alone worked but my antibodies have disappeared since I changed my diet, added a half hour plus walk and started therapy to handle my high levels of anxiety. I did the elimination diet but also highly increased my fiber intake and added vitamin d3 daily. I found I could add everything except milk back and now eat two bowls all bran with rice milk to keep my fiber intake above 30 grams. I am also limiting my meat intake to only one serving or less per week. Not only do I feel great I have taken off inches and my BMI is lower than it has been in years! I do believe we have a lot of power within our reach to help prevent severe flares. I hope others can find balances that can help them too. Good luck.

[sarahalice]

Hi. I did it to the letter for a few months (a few yrs ago now). I ended up eating a lot more meat than I did before. I got so Ill on it, and my cholesterol went through the roof (on steroids) in a very short time. Stopped it straight away and went vegan (2 years and counting), felts loads better and now my cholesterol is better than before I started my lupus treatment.

If your going to do it I would try not to rely on meat and stick to lots of veg. Personally I dont think you can beat a vegan diet to help with lupus symptoms. Though it hasn't cured me, its helped loads.

X

[junemc in reply to sarahalice]

I am not eating more meat than usual and I try to stick to chicken more than red meat. I am filling the gap with more fruit and vegetables and eating these at every meal. As I only intend to stick to the AIP diet for 30 days hopefully this shouldn't effect my cholesterol. A vegan diet is obviously very helpful to you but before I could attempt this I need to find out via the AIP diet's exclusion period, whether I have a problem with grains. I am coeliac so I already have to avoid all gluten. If I have to avoid all grains I may find a vegan diet impossible.

[Roarah]

I agree about the meat! I find carbs and grains are easier on my system than meat! A mostly plant based diet is working for me which includes a lot of gluten but for so many here it does seem gluten is an issue.