If you’re already following a Paleo diet, you may be closer to the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) than you think. Many people discover AIP after years of eating Paleo-style and wondering why lingering symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, digestive issues, or inflammation still haven’t fully resolved.
The good news? AIP builds directly on the Paleo foundation. For many, it’s not a radical shift, but a more intentional, healing-focused version of what they’re already doing.
Let’s explore why AIP is often a great next step for Paleo eaters, and where the two approaches overlap.
Paleo and AIP: Built on the Same Foundation
At their core, both Paleo and AIP emphasize eating real, whole foods and removing modern dietary stressors that can disrupt digestion, metabolism, and immune health.
Both diets prioritize:
- High-quality meats and seafood
- Vegetables (especially nutrient-dense options)
- Healthy fats like olive oil, avocado oil, and animal fats
- Avoidance of ultra-processed foods
- Elimination of grains, legumes, and refined sugars
If you’re already shopping the perimeter of the grocery store, cooking most meals at home, and reading ingredient labels, you’ve already adopted many AIP-aligned habits.
Where AIP Goes a Step Further
While Paleo focuses on evolutionary eating, AIP is specifically designed to support immune system regulation and gut healing. This is where the protocols begin to differ.
AIP temporarily removes additional foods that are technically Paleo, but more likely to be inflammatory or gut-disruptive for people with autoimmune conditions.
Foods removed on AIP (but often included on Paleo):
- Eggs
- Nuts and seeds
- Nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, white potatoes)
- Coffee, alcohol, and chocolate
- Seed-based spices
This isn’t because these foods are “bad,” but because they can be problematic for an already overactive immune system. AIP creates a calmer internal environment, allowing the body to begin repairing.
Why Paleo Eaters Often Thrive on AIP
Many people struggle with AIP because it feels restrictive, unless they’re coming from Paleo. Paleo eaters already understand:
- Cooking without grains or dairy
- Getting protein at every meal
- Using vegetables as the base of a plate
- Choosing quality fats over processed oils
Because of this, Paleo eaters often experience:
- An easier transition to AIP
- Faster symptom improvements
- Fewer cravings during the elimination phase
- Greater long-term success
In many cases, AIP simply clarifies why certain Paleo foods weren’t working for them personally.
Shared Focus on Root-Cause Healing
Both Paleo and AIP move beyond calorie counting or short-term dieting. Instead, they emphasize:
- Blood sugar balance
- Nutrient density
- Digestive health
- Reducing chronic inflammation
AIP just applies a more targeted lens, especially for those dealing with autoimmune disease, chronic illness, or persistent inflammation that hasn’t responded fully to Paleo alone.
AIP Is Not “Stricter Paleo”, It’s Purposeful Paleo
One of the biggest misconceptions is that AIP is just a more extreme version of Paleo. In reality, AIP is temporary and strategic.
The goal isn’t lifelong elimination, but rather it’s:
- Remove potential immune triggers
- Allow the gut and immune system to calm
- Reintroduce foods intentionally to identify personal tolerances
For Paleo eaters, this approach often feels logical and empowering rather than restrictive.
Is AIP the Right Next Step for You?
If you’re eating Paleo and still experiencing symptoms like:
- Joint or muscle pain
- Brain fog or fatigue
- Digestive discomfort
- Skin issues
- Autoimmune flares
AIP may help uncover what your body specifically needs to heal.
You’re not starting over—you’re refining what already works.
Final Thoughts
Paleo lays the groundwork. AIP fine-tunes it.
For many people, AIP feels less like a new diet and more like the missing piece—helping them understand their body better, reduce inflammation, and move toward long-term healing.
If Paleo has been your foundation, AIP may be your next, most supportive step.
Here are 2 commonly asked questions about AIP vs. Paleo:
1. Is the AIP diet similar to the Paleo diet?
Answer:
Yes. The AIP diet is based on the Paleo diet and shares the same foundation of whole, unprocessed foods. AIP goes a step further by temporarily removing additional foods, such as eggs, nuts, seeds, and nightshades, to support the immune system and gut healing.
2. Why would someone on a Paleo diet switch to AIP?
Answer:
People on a Paleo diet may switch to AIP if they still experience inflammation, digestive issues, or autoimmune symptoms. AIP helps identify food triggers by creating a structured elimination and reintroduction process tailored to immune health.