AIP Diet Plan PDF

What is the AIP diet?

The autoimmune protocol (AIP) diet is a structured elimination diet designed to manage symptoms of autoimmune diseases by minimizing inflammation. Rooted in the principles of the Paleo diet (Konijeti et al., 2017), it excludes foods known to exacerbate immune responses and focuses on incorporating nutrient-dense options to promote healing. This diet is particularly beneficial for individuals with autoimmune disease conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and celiac disease.

This autoimmune protocol diet consists of three phases:

Elimination phase

In this phase, potential inflammatory triggers, including grains, legumes, dairy, nuts, seeds, nightshade vegetables, refined sugars, processed foods, minimally processed vegetable oils, alcohol, and food additives, are removed. The goal is to reduce immune activation and inflammation.

Reintroduction phase

Foods are reintroduced systematically to evaluate their impact on symptoms. This helps pinpoint specific triggers that may need permanent exclusion, such as certain food additives or processed foods.

Maintenance phase

During this phase, a personalized, sustainable approach is established by integrating safe, nutrient-dense foods while avoiding known inflammatory triggers. This phase aims for long-term autoimmune control and symptom management.

What is an AIP diet plan?

An AIP diet plan is a structured framework designed to implement the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet effectively. It operates through distinct phases to achieve specific goals. Initially, it reduces inflammation by eliminating common triggers such as grains, dairy, and processed foods. The plan prioritizes nutrient-dense foods to enhance gut health, fostering a balanced microbiome essential for immune regulation.

Through the reintroduction phase, the plan helps identify individual food sensitivities by systematically reintroducing eliminated items and monitoring their effects. Ultimately, the AIP diet plan supports autoimmune control by tailoring a long-term diet that minimizes inflammation and promotes overall well-being.

Foods to include in an AIP diet

The AIP diet emphasizes nutrient-dense options that promote gut health and align with paleo principles. It includes grass-fed meats, beef, chicken, turkey, and organ meats, alongside wild-caught fish and seafood. Vegetables, excluding nightshades, are essential, and fresh fruits can be consumed in moderation. Healthy fats like coconut oil, olive oil, and avocado oil are integral to the diet. Fermented foods also play a key role in supporting gut health.

Moreover, natural sweeteners like maple syrup, beet sugar, and coconut milk are also preferred. As the diet progresses to reintroducing foods, it allows for the gradual inclusion of previously eliminated items and reintroduces foods to ensure sustainable dietary habits.

Foods to avoid in an AIP diet

The AIP diet excludes certain foods known to be potentially inflammatory and disruptive to individuals with autoimmune disorders or conditions like irritable bowel syndrome. Individuals in an AIP diet should avoid all grains, including gluten-containing varieties, and legumes such as pinto beans, green beans, and kidney beans. Dairy products, nightshade vegetables like potatoes and eggplants, and processed foods containing additives or artificial sweeteners like corn syrup and high fructose corn syrup are prohibited.

Additionally, sugars, including brown sugar, are also restricted. Sweet potatoes, though AIP-compliant, should be consumed mindfully. During the reintroduction phase, previously eliminated foods can be gradually tested to assess tolerance, supporting a personalized approach to managing inflammation and symptoms.

How does our AIP Diet PDF template work?

Carepatron's autoimmune protocol diet plan provides medical professionals with a streamlined way to guide patients in managing autoimmune disorders. By following the steps below, you can effectively utilize this resource to support dietary modifications and improve patient outcomes.

Step 1: Access and use the AIP diet plan

Access the AIP diet plan on Carepatron's platform by clicking “Use template.” This opens the resource, allowing you to fill it out, customize it to the patient’s needs, and print it for practical use. For a PDF copy, just choose "Download."

Step 2: Customize the blank template

Fill out the blank diet plan template with details specific to your patient’s needs. Ensure to include food options that are nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory, and tailored to their health goals. These should address dietary restrictions or sensitivities while ensuring variety to prevent monotony.

Step 2: Introduce the diet plan to the patient

Present the AIP diet plan to the patient, explaining its purpose in managing autoimmune conditions through an elimination diet. Highlight how this structured plan aids in identifying triggers and promoting symptom management.

Step 3: Discuss diet details and goals with the patient

Engage the patient in a detailed discussion about the AIP diet’s phases, including the elimination phase and the reintroduction of foods. Collaborate on setting realistic dietary goals tailored to their health needs.

Step 4: Provide further patient education and next steps

Offer additional education on the importance of compliance, tracking symptoms, and avoiding inflammatory foods. Outline the next steps, such as follow-up visits and monitoring progress, to ensure sustained improvements in autoimmune control.

Benefits of using an AIP diet plan

An AIP diet plan n offers a structured approach to managing autoimmune disorders and associated symptoms. By focusing on elimination diets, the plan helps reduce inflammation by removing inflammatory foods and replacing them with anti-inflammatory options. This can alleviate chronic inflammation and its impact on conditions like inflammatory bowel diseases.

A key benefit of the AIP diet is its ability to help patients identify foods contributing to their autoimmune symptoms. Through the reintroduction phase, healthcare providers can guide patients in reintroducing foods one at a time, helping to pinpoint triggers and tailor a sustainable, personalized diet.

An AIP diet plan also emphasizes nutrient-dense, minimally processed meat and vegetables, promoting a balanced intake of anti-inflammatory foods that support the immune system. By addressing dietary triggers, this plan reduces autoimmune symptoms and contributes to overall gut health, an essential component of managing autoimmune conditions.

For healthcare providers, using an AIP diet plan simplifies the process of dietary counseling and provides a reliable framework for educating patients. It encourages adherence to dietary recommendations, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes by addressing the root causes of inflammation and immune dysregulation.

Reference

Konijeti, G. G., Kim, N., Lewis, J. D., Groven, S., Chandrasekaran, A., Grandhe, S., Diamant, C., Singh, E., Oliveira, G., Wang, X., Molparia, B., & Torkamani, A. (2017). Efficacy of the autoimmune protocol diet for inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 23(11), 2054–2060. https://doi.org/10.1097/MIB.0000000000001221