Table of contents:
- What is an autoimmune disease diet?
- What are the benefits of an autoimmune disease diet?
- What foods are recommended during the AIP diet?
- What are the foods that should be avoided during the AIP diet?
- What if the AIP diet is difficult?
Diet actually does not only apply to people who want to lose weight only. This diet means adjusting your diet to make the body healthier. Therefore, there are several types of diets that are made specifically to support a certain disease. One of them is a special diet for patients with autoimmune diseases. So, what are the guidelines for this diet? How important is this diet to patients?
What is an autoimmune disease diet?
The autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet or autoimmune disease diet is a dietary guideline intended for people with autoimmune diseases. The diet aims to relieve inflammation as well as various symptoms caused by autoimmune diseases.
Psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus are some types of autoimmune diseases. The disease is quite dangerous because it attacks the immune system, as well as damages healthy tissue in the body.
This autoimmune disease diet can also be referred to as the paleo autoimmune protocol, but in a much more restrictive version of the paleo diet. If the paleo diet emphasizes eating meat, fish, vegetables, nuts, and seeds, the AIP diet is somewhat different.
The dietary guidelines for the AIP diet require you not to eat foods that have the risk of causing inflammation in the intestines. Conversely, you will be more encouraged to eat more foods that are rich in nutrients.
Autoimmune diseases are often associated with intestinal conditions that are problematic due to injuries, which make it appear "leaky". As a result, even the food that enters cannot be fully absorbed by the body.
This condition is believed to be one of the causes of an exaggerated immune system response, and actually attacks healthy tissue. Well, this autoimmune disease diet aims to cure these intestinal problems.
You do this by eating more nutritious foods, which at the same time can prevent inflammation in the body.
What are the benefits of an autoimmune disease diet?
Routinely undergoing this diet is believed to be beneficial for the body, such as:
- Restoring the immune system working as it should.
- Prevent the emergence of a bad response from autoimmune.
- Reduces symptoms of autoimmune diseases.
- Prevent the possibility of secondary autoimmune disease.
In particular, the AIP diet is believed to help restore the immune system and intestinal problems. Where these problems result in inflammation of the body due to autoimmune diseases.
It is important to understand, that people who do this diet can not be arbitrary. If you want optimal results, it is recommended that you stick to the AIP diet for several weeks on a regular basis. Furthermore, you will be slowly given back various foods that were previously avoided.
If you find that you have a bad reaction, it means that you have not been advised to eat the food for quite a long time.
What foods are recommended during the AIP diet?
During a diet of autoimmune diseases, you are advised to eat more foods such as:
- Red meat, chicken and fish
- Olive and coconut oil
- Vegetables except tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, and potatoes
- Sweet potato
- Small amounts of fruit
- Dairy-free fermented foods such as kombucha and kefir with coconut milk
- Honey in small amounts
- Basil, mint and oregano leaves
- Green tea and herbal teas without seeds
- Bone broth
- Vinegar such as apple cider and balsamic
Even though they can be eaten in small amounts, fruit is actually a food that cannot always be eaten while undergoing the AIP diet.
There are some rules that still allow the consumption of fruit in small amounts, or about 2 pieces per liver. However, there are also those who don't allow it at all.
What are the foods that should be avoided during the AIP diet?
While some types of food that are not recommended to be eaten while undergoing an autoimmune disease diet, namely:
- All types of grains, including wheat and rice
- All dairy products
- Nuts such as peanuts and soybeans
- Tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, potatoes
- All sugars are substitutes, except for the occasional use of honey
- Butter
- Processed foods, especially those containing additives
- All types of oil, including vegetable or canola oil, except olive and coconut oil
- Egg
- Alcohol
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil), aspirin (Bufferin), and naproxen sodium (Aleve)
But sometimes, the consumption of eggs, nuts, and seeds is not always prohibited in the diet for autoimmune diseases. It's just that, the amount of consumption still has to be limited.
In this case, you can further consult with your doctor to get the best advice according to your condition.
What if the AIP diet is difficult?
The autoimmune disease diet does seem very strict because it has restrictions on eating certain types of food. You may find it difficult to live with it, especially when these food restrictions affect your daily lifestyle.
The solution, you actually can still do the AIP diet but by eliminating some types of prohibited foods gradually. Don't forget, also make sure you stay away from foods high in fat and cholesterol during this stage of the diet.
