The Autoimmune Protocol, Autoimmune Paleo or simply known to most as AIP, is a type of elimination diet that helps heal the immune system, when it has gone rogue and started to hurt our own bodies. It can be helpful for all types of autoimmune (or inflammatory) issues.
Autoimmunity is where your body does not know the difference between the good and bad cells in your body. Your immune system gets a little confused and decides to try and make everyone get out and starts attacking all cells, instead of just the invaders. This can be going on for a long time before developing into a full blow autoimmune disease. Shockingly enough, there are more than 80 (!) types of autoimmune diseases, many of them are conditions that we grew up thinking were somewhat ‘normal’ or ‘routine’. Any system of your body can be affected by autoimmunity, from your brain, to nervous system to glands and even skin.
The Autoimmune Protocol is a way of eating that helps to calm your body down and begin to heal itself.
Sounds pretty good to me.
The Autoimmune Protocol works by reducing inflammation around the body, and most importantly, the gut. Many foods that we have eaten over the years have been damaging to our gastrointestinal (GI) system and have been inflammatory to our bodies. AIP is an elimination diet that targets these inflammatory foods, removing them from our daily lives and puts our GI tract on a path to healing itself. Although they cannot be completely cured, autoimmune diseases can be put into remission with this approach.
This is not just an elimination diet however. Yes, many things are eliminated, at first. But one of the main points of AIP is to concentrate on adding the most nutrient dense foods available. Unfortunately the Standard American Diet (SAD), is fairly nutrient deficient, and nutrient deficiency is a key factor in developing autoimmunity. Adding in nutrient dense foods helps to jump start the autoimmunity healing process. Eating nutrient dense foods will help reduce inflammation, restore proper gut microorganisms and help heal the gut. It will also help balance hormones and regulate the immune system.
But the AIP lifestyle doesn’t stop there, it’s called a lifestyle for a reason! There are several other components of the AIP that are equally as important to healing as the food we eat. Managing stress, prioritizing sleep, avoiding environmental toxins and getting plenty of movement are all essential components of AIP as well. If these other aspects are ignored, you may not see the results you are looking for with diet alone! More on these topics in later posts 😉
EAT ALL THE VEGGIES! (well, mostly) 8-14 cups a day
Organ meat and Offal (offal ain’t awful) 4 servings a week
Seafood at least 3 times a week
Quality Meat
Quality Fats
Fruit
Probiotic Foods
Glycine-rich Food
Grains
Gluten
Dairy
Legumes
Processed Vegetable Oils/Processed Food Chemicals
Added Sugars/Sugar Alcohols
Nuts
Seeds
Eggs
Nightshades
Potential gluten-cross reactive foods
Alcohol
NSAIDS (this one is really hard for me with migraines) and Birth Control
Non-nutritive sweeteners
Emulsifiers, thickeners and food additives
This seems like a lot of things, at least it did to me when I first looked at the list, especially the nightshades! I lived off of tomatoes for the first 25 years of my life! But once I got into actually cooking AIP recipes, I found that it wasn’t that bad and it was actually quite good! I got excited to experiment and find new ways of making old tastes. Also, once I realized the reasons WHY these foods were eliminated, they became much easier to get rid of.
There are many reasons to eliminate these foods at first. They all harm our bodies in some way most creating gut irritation or dysbiosis, creating gut permeability (leaky gut) or causing inflammation. That’s all reason enough for me!
Well, that’s a great question. The recommended amount of time is at least 3 months, after that it’s up to you and your journey. Some people only need 3 months to notice improvements, then they can begin to re-introduce foods. Some people need much longer, which can be up to a year or more.
So how do you know? It all depends on how you feel. Your initial symptoms should be gone (or mostly gone), you should be generally feeling better day to day. Listening to your body is key during this process. Keeping a journal of symptoms is a great way to go about this so you can look back and see the big things, but also the little things that you may forget. Once you are ready for re-introductions, there is a way to best go about those as well, which is another post! So keep on the look out for that as well 😉
The one major thing to remember when starting on an AIP journey is the elimination phase is not meant to be forever. It is meant to be a healing time, where your body is able to reset itself. Which may take a few months for one person and over a year for another. You’re walking your own journey, and no one else’s.
As always, if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me through the ‘work with me’ page, and I’ll get right back to you!
And if you’d like to join the LissMS Community, sign up here!
follow along on Instagram:
I’d love to support you over the 8 weeks together!!
Imagine how good you could feel by Thanksgiving.
Comment HEALING to join the waitlist
I’d love to support you over the 8 weeks together!!
Imagine how good you could feel by Thanksgiving.
Comment HEALING to join the waitlist
My reality has changed a whole bunch over the years.
I started out with only a few symptoms. But I could get through the day.
Until all of a sudden I couldn’t.
All within a few years I went from “fine” to:
Having horrible symptoms, had 3 relapses and found myself with “aggressive MS”
This was not ok with me.
Eventually, I took my life into my own hands and rethought how I did most things.
I realized I had to make some changes, or else idk what else was gonna happen to me.
So I did.
I changed my diet.
I changed how I worked out.
I changed my job in the name of stress management.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
If you want this transformation for you too (I know it’s possible) I’m launching my signature course: Holistically Healing MS in a few weeks.
This is the course you need to get started on this path for yourself.
Only the waitlist is gonna get the pre sale price…
Comment WAITLIST below and I’ll add you to it!!
My reality has changed a whole bunch over the years.
I started out with only a few symptoms. But I could get through the day.
Until all of a sudden I couldn’t.
All within a few years I went from “fine” to:
Having horrible symptoms, had 3 relapses and found myself with “aggressive MS”
This was not ok with me.
Eventually, I took my life into my own hands and rethought how I did most things.
I realized I had to make some changes, or else idk what else was gonna happen to me.
So I did.
I changed my diet.
I changed how I worked out.
I changed my job in the name of stress management.
This is just the tip of the iceberg.
If you want this transformation for you too (I know it’s possible) I’m launching my signature course: Holistically Healing MS in a few weeks.
This is the course you need to get started on this path for yourself.
Only the waitlist is gonna get the pre sale price…
Comment WAITLIST below and I’ll add you to it!!
This is the reality I lived, I want you to experience it too.
No, this is not a quick fix.
No, these results wont happen overnight.
No, this won’t cure you.
BUT-
Yes, you can have your life back.
Yes, you can feel better than you do right now.
Yes, your current reality doesn’t have to be a forever reality.
My success years ago was all thanks to the diet changes and the work I put in to know exactly how to eat to support MY body and MS at the same time.
Yes it took a few months, but what it gave me back was my life- and that’s priceless.
I’m spilling all the beans on what this process looks like and how to do it in my upcoming Masterclass:
5 Secrets To Creating Your Own MS Diet.
Comment CLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
This is the reality I lived, I want you to experience it too.
No, this is not a quick fix.
No, these results wont happen overnight.
No, this won’t cure you.
BUT-
Yes, you can have your life back.
Yes, you can feel better than you do right now.
Yes, your current reality doesn’t have to be a forever reality.
My success years ago was all thanks to the diet changes and the work I put in to know exactly how to eat to support MY body and MS at the same time.
Yes it took a few months, but what it gave me back was my life- and that’s priceless.
I’m spilling all the beans on what this process looks like and how to do it in my upcoming Masterclass:
5 Secrets To Creating Your Own MS Diet.
Comment CLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
This is my vision for the masterclass I’m hosting next Monday.
I want this to be an interactive experience where you learn how to best take care of yourself and MS symptoms through the food you’re eating.
Instead of:
- feeling hesitation and confusion around what foods are best for MS
- not making changes because you’re afraid you’ll do it wrong
- saying no again to going out to eat with friends
Find the freedom and confidence you’ve been looking for.
Comment CLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
This is my vision for the masterclass I’m hosting next Monday.
I want this to be an interactive experience where you learn how to best take care of yourself and MS symptoms through the food you’re eating.
Instead of:
- feeling hesitation and confusion around what foods are best for MS
- not making changes because you’re afraid you’ll do it wrong
- saying no again to going out to eat with friends
Find the freedom and confidence you’ve been looking for.
Comment CLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
Do any of those hit home?
If yes… comment MASTERCLASS below.. I got you
I get asked this question about different foods at least once a week.
Are potatoes with olive oil ok?
Are tomatoes ok even though Tom Brady doesn’t eat them?
What about grains?
It’s all gonna get the same answer from me….
Sure there are foods with nutrient profiles that match the needs of MS, ✨BUT✨if you don’t tolerate them or feel good eating them, they’re not for you.
I’m hosting a Masterclass next week all about this.
⭐️5 Steps to Creating Your Own MS Diet⭐️
You’ll walk away with:
✨Confidence you’re moving in the right direction regarding changing your diet. You’ll know where to start, how to troubleshoot when you “fall off the wagon” and how to find what works for you.
No more feeling like:
- you have to start AGAIN on Monday..
- you can’t go out to eat with your friends..
- you’re at the mercy of the few foods you tolerate..
Come join me to learn the balanced way out of all or nothing food land.
Comment MASTERCLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
I get asked this question about different foods at least once a week.
Are potatoes with olive oil ok?
Are tomatoes ok even though Tom Brady doesn’t eat them?
What about grains?
It’s all gonna get the same answer from me….
Sure there are foods with nutrient profiles that match the needs of MS, ✨BUT✨if you don’t tolerate them or feel good eating them, they’re not for you.
I’m hosting a Masterclass next week all about this.
⭐️5 Steps to Creating Your Own MS Diet⭐️
You’ll walk away with:
✨Confidence you’re moving in the right direction regarding changing your diet. You’ll know where to start, how to troubleshoot when you “fall off the wagon” and how to find what works for you.
No more feeling like:
- you have to start AGAIN on Monday..
- you can’t go out to eat with your friends..
- you’re at the mercy of the few foods you tolerate..
Come join me to learn the balanced way out of all or nothing food land.
Comment MASTERCLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
My mom will confirm, this was me HARD as a kid.
I used to hate all forms of vegetables, just cause they were vegetables. Whether or not I had tried them was irrelevant, I hated them all the same.
Now, I’m not saying this to blame myself for anything, I’m more saying this as a message of solidarity and that it’s never too late to change.
But I also understand that process is hard!!
Sometimes getting support can help you move forward.
If you:
- are wanting to change your diet to help MS symptoms but aren’t sure where and how to start
- feel frustrated when you do make changes because you can’t stick to them
- have already been eating super strict and can’t seem to add more foods back to your diet
My Masterclass the 5 Secrets to Creating your Own MS Diet is for you!!
Comment MASTERCLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
My mom will confirm, this was me HARD as a kid.
I used to hate all forms of vegetables, just cause they were vegetables. Whether or not I had tried them was irrelevant, I hated them all the same.
Now, I’m not saying this to blame myself for anything, I’m more saying this as a message of solidarity and that it’s never too late to change.
But I also understand that process is hard!!
Sometimes getting support can help you move forward.
If you:
- are wanting to change your diet to help MS symptoms but aren’t sure where and how to start
- feel frustrated when you do make changes because you can’t stick to them
- have already been eating super strict and can’t seem to add more foods back to your diet
My Masterclass the 5 Secrets to Creating your Own MS Diet is for you!!
Comment MASTERCLASS below and I’ll send you the link to sign up!!
It’s been a week for me… maybe you too?
Use this short video for a moment of peace and regulation.
What do you notice in your body and about your emotions when you exhale and drop your shoulders?
Or when you hear bird songs?
Notice what makes you feel more calm, relaxed and at peace.
Do more of that..
It’s been a week for me… maybe you too?
Use this short video for a moment of peace and regulation.
What do you notice in your body and about your emotions when you exhale and drop your shoulders?
Or when you hear bird songs?
Notice what makes you feel more calm, relaxed and at peace.
Do more of that..
I get it… I was once in paralysis by analysis for years!!
I’m creating a Masterclass/Workshop experience in August to cover this exact topic: what and how to eat for MS.
BUT!! I need your help to narrow down what we’ll be talking about.
Which of these options sounds most helpful?
Comment the number below!!
Workshop ideas:
1. Simple Nutrition for MS: what you need to know about eating for healing
2. Create Your Own MS Diet: How to know what is best for YOU, while also helping MS symptoms
3. Education into Action: How to put the knowledge you have into action steps that make progress
4. Blend of it All: Education, steps to finding your own MS diet and how to get started
Want something else?? Tell me 👇🏼👇🏼
I get it… I was once in paralysis by analysis for years!!
I’m creating a Masterclass/Workshop experience in August to cover this exact topic: what and how to eat for MS.
BUT!! I need your help to narrow down what we’ll be talking about.
Which of these options sounds most helpful?
Comment the number below!!
Workshop ideas:
1. Simple Nutrition for MS: what you need to know about eating for healing
2. Create Your Own MS Diet: How to know what is best for YOU, while also helping MS symptoms
3. Education into Action: How to put the knowledge you have into action steps that make progress
4. Blend of it All: Education, steps to finding your own MS diet and how to get started
Want something else?? Tell me 👇🏼👇🏼
FYI- This process took several YEARS for me . So please stop beating yourself up if you’re not here yet.
Tbh- I needed to go through the scared, intimidated, rebellious no way before I got to the heck yes.
It took me being at rock bottom, symptoms out of control and knowing I needed something else.
So I didn’t really “do anything” to be ready.
I just was when I was.
If you’re feeling ready to make diet changes to help your MS symptoms, I created an Eating for MS guide just for you!
Your guide includes:
- The best foods to be eating when you have MS
- Several ways to get started
- Fast and easy meal ideas
- And so much more!!
Comment GUIDE below and I’ll send you the link to download!
FYI- This process took several YEARS for me . So please stop beating yourself up if you’re not here yet.
Tbh- I needed to go through the scared, intimidated, rebellious no way before I got to the heck yes.
It took me being at rock bottom, symptoms out of control and knowing I needed something else.
So I didn’t really “do anything” to be ready.
I just was when I was.
If you’re feeling ready to make diet changes to help your MS symptoms, I created an Eating for MS guide just for you!
Your guide includes:
- The best foods to be eating when you have MS
- Several ways to get started
- Fast and easy meal ideas
- And so much more!!
Comment GUIDE below and I’ll send you the link to download!
I get it- it’s really easy to shame yourself into changing something, especially your diet/the foods you eat. And especially when we feel there are other things we “should be doing” because we know “it’s better for us”.
But that is NOT my wish for you.
Hi 👋🏼 my name is Alissa and we do things differently around here.
My goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions about your dietary choices, tailored to your unique MS needs and preferences.
This is why I wrote my Eating for MS Guide the way I did.
I did not give you foods to fear or messages of ONLY EAT THIS FOOD FOREVER OR ELSE.
I’m giving you the tools to be confident in the choices you’re making, because you know it works for YOU. Not because you “should” do it this or that way.
If you’ve been wanting:
- to eat in a way that supports your body with MS, but are confused about all the different messages online
- to feel empowered about your choices, not shamed
- to do it all in a gentle, slow way, not a crash diet..
My guide is for you!!
Comment GUIDE below and I’ll send you the link to download!!
I get it- it’s really easy to shame yourself into changing something, especially your diet/the foods you eat. And especially when we feel there are other things we “should be doing” because we know “it’s better for us”.
But that is NOT my wish for you.
Hi 👋🏼 my name is Alissa and we do things differently around here.
My goal is to empower you with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed decisions about your dietary choices, tailored to your unique MS needs and preferences.
This is why I wrote my Eating for MS Guide the way I did.
I did not give you foods to fear or messages of ONLY EAT THIS FOOD FOREVER OR ELSE.
I’m giving you the tools to be confident in the choices you’re making, because you know it works for YOU. Not because you “should” do it this or that way.
If you’ve been wanting:
- to eat in a way that supports your body with MS, but are confused about all the different messages online
- to feel empowered about your choices, not shamed
- to do it all in a gentle, slow way, not a crash diet..
My guide is for you!!
Comment GUIDE below and I’ll send you the link to download!!
Or for when you’re trying to talk yourself out of being sick.. 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️😂😂
Even if you feel fine, try saying a few of these out loud. Feel what happens to your body when you do.
Do you feel an expansion or lightness in your chest?
Does breathing get a little easier?
Just notice the shifts in your body.
I’m not saying we can talk ourselves out of it (illness, flares etc) … but… our body and cells respond to our thoughts.
So how we think about ourselves is definitely in the conversation of how we can take care of ourselves overall.
🧡🧡🧡
Or for when you’re trying to talk yourself out of being sick.. 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️😂😂
Even if you feel fine, try saying a few of these out loud. Feel what happens to your body when you do.
Do you feel an expansion or lightness in your chest?
Does breathing get a little easier?
Just notice the shifts in your body.
I’m not saying we can talk ourselves out of it (illness, flares etc) … but… our body and cells respond to our thoughts.
So how we think about ourselves is definitely in the conversation of how we can take care of ourselves overall.
🧡🧡🧡
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