For those living with autoimmune diseases, everyday choices— such as diet and lifestyle—can dramatically impact quality of life. That’s where the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) comes in. As a complete, science-backed, wellness protocol, AIP uses the power of diet and key lifestyle habits to help people struggling with autoimmune conditions live symptom-free and thrive. All in all, AIP is made of 6 pillars - sleep, movement, connection to nature, connection to others, self-care, and diet, which for most of us makes up the biggest portion of the protocol. However, it is important to remember that every aspect of the AIP protocol can hold equal power on our healing journey.
But what exactly is the AIP Diet, and who stands to benefit most from following it?
What Is the Autoimmune Protocol Diet?
While it maintained its AIP acronym, the AIP diet has undergone several names, from Anti-inflammatory Paleo to Autoimmune Paleo to the Autoimmune Protocol Diet. Regardless of what you know it as, it all relies on the exact same principles: a nutrient-dense, elimination-style eating plan designed to reduce inflammation, optimize gut health, and identify food triggers that may exacerbate autoimmune and inflammation symptoms.
The AIP diet is made up of 2 phases: elimination and reintroduction. Here is how it works.
The diet temporarily removes foods known to potentially irritate the lining of our gut, interfere with nutrient absorption, and dysregulate the immune system. Those are grains, dairy, legumes, nuts, seeds, eggs, lectins and nightshade vegetables. Mind you, that’s not to say that those are all “bad” for you. But when someone is dealing with gut and systemic inflammation, those particular foods can play a role in perpetuating a vicious cycle, which is why they are temporarily eliminated from our diet, thus giving our body a chance to heal.
But it’s not all about elimination; it’s also about bringing in nutrient-dense superfoods to optimize nourishment. We need to give our bodies plenty of resources to rebuild our tissues. Examples are:
- Wild-caught fish and grass-fed meats
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Organ meat
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At least 30 different types of vegetables (excluding nightshades) and fruits
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Bone broth and fermented foods
- Healthy fats like olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil and animal fats
Who Should Consider the AIP Diet?
1. People Diagnosed with Autoimmune Diseases
Conditions like Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, and Crohn’s disease often involve chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation. AIP helps many people manage flare-ups and reduce symptoms by calming the immune response.
2. Those with Unexplained Chronic Inflammation or Digestive Issues
Even without a formal diagnosis, individuals suffering from persistent bloating, fatigue, joint pain, or skin issues might benefit from the AIP framework. It helps isolate problematic foods while flooding the body with nutrients that aid in tissue repair and immune balance.
3. Individuals Seeking a Reset or Elimination Approach
The AIP Diet is also helpful for those looking to reset their system. Removing inflammatory foods and reintroducing them carefully makes it easier to identify specific sensitivities that may be contributing to health issues.
Key Benefits of the AIP Diet
✓ Reduced Inflammation: By removing known irritants, the AIP Diet can significantly decrease systemic inflammation, a core component of all autoimmune conditions.
✓ Improved Gut Health: The diet supports gut barrier repair, helping to prevent “leaky gut,” which has been linked to the progression of autoimmune disease.
✓ Fewer Flare-Ups: Many people report fewer autoimmune flares and a decreased severity of symptoms such as joint pain, fatigue, and brain fog.
✓ Better Quality of Life: From improved sleep and energy to more consistent digestion, the AIP Diet can contribute to a sense of renewed wellness.
How Urban AIP Makes the AIP Diet Easier
After navigating the challenges of implementing AIP into my own life, I became obsessed with creating a way to bring convenience into the mix. You see, I wanted to sleep more, exercise, enjoy nature and make time for meaningful connections, and cooking was quickly becoming a burden, particularly if I had to leave my house. I was also tired of feeling like I, the person with the illness, was the problem, when in fact, the real problem was that our food system makes it practically impossible to find chemical-free, nutrient-dense whole foods in a convenient setting.
Determined to bring a solution to the table, I created Urban AIP. We offer only organic, pasture-raised, grass-fed/finished, wild-caught, heat-n-eat meals and grab-n-go snacks that are top 14 allergen-free, fully Autoimmune Paleo Diet (AIP) compliant, and bursting with flavors that might surprise you on an elimination diet. Our mission is to take the stress of cooking off your plate and bridge the gap between healing and convenience to support anyone navigating an autoimmune or chronic inflammatory condition.
Urban AIP offers a rotating seasonal menu with fresh daily meals and frozen onsite to preserve the highest nutrient density. Our meals are also packaged in plant-based, non-GMO, 100% plastic-free meal trays to protect your immune system from exposure to chemicals that could trigger further inflammation. Finally, your meals are shipped nationwide, right to your door via UPS Next Day air. And there you have it! Delicious, healing food, without the stress of meal planning, ingredient shopping or label reading.
Whether you are new to the AIP Diet or a long-time follower, our meals are crafted to nourish your body and give you the support you deserve.
Ready to try AIP without the hassle? Explore our meal boxes here! Choose between 10,15 or 20 meals per box, delivered weekly, bi-monthly or monthly, and we’ll take care of everything else. Happy Healing!