What’s Inside: 7-days of tasty meals and easy recipes to use for the elimination phase of the autoimmune protocol along with my best tips as a holistic nutritionist focused on gut health, plus resources for using AIP as a tool on your healing journey. Sign up here to get a full printable AIP meal plan and grocery list delivered to your inbox.
Welcome to your 7-day AIP Meal Plan.
Whether you’re brand new to AIP and just stumbled upon this AIP meal plan because a health professional or friend told you to try it… or you’ve been at this a while and are looking for new ideas and a supportive meal plan, I’ve got you covered because I know how challenging it can be!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Love all the healthy recipes in this plan! I’m doing a reset after eating too much during the holidays so this is perfect!” – Kate
To help make your AIP journey less stressful and way more enjoyable, I’ve created this meal plan with some of my most popular, tasty, and easy AIP recipes, and I answer a list of frequently asked questions about the AIP diet too!
This meal plan will save you time—and save your sanity!—while on your healing journey and you can use it as a template while swapping out recipes anytime. Plus, I’ll send you the print-outs including the menu, recipes, and grocery lists right to your email — just sign up here to get the 1-week AIP Meal Plan.
Hold on! Before you get that apron on, here are my best AIP resources to familiarize yourself with. It’s something I arm my nutritional therapy clients with when supporting them through AIP, so don’t miss it!
This meal plan serves 2 people.
In it, you’ll find a mix of:
Many people find breakfast challenging without any grains or eggs. Not to fear, there are plenty of options in this AIP meal plan but you should keep an open mind.
Keep it savory *most* of the time to keep you full, satisfied and to keep your blood sugar in check. And erase everything you previously thought about breakfast.
Everything is on the table now: leftovers of proteins and vegetables, even SOUP… qualifies as breakfast. I also love to have frozen sausage on hand and a bag of shredded cabbage and carrots (coleslaw mix) to easily toss together a meal when I’m half awake. And, after getting past that, you just might love starting savory as I say, and prefer it going forward!
It’s changed my life and may change yours. Keep an open mind and try it.
Incorporating a cup of AIP-friendly bone broth as a morning drink or “side” to any meal is a great practice to support your gut health.
If you absolutely love and can’t live without smoothies, it’s still totally possible on AIP. Check out my low-sugar smoothie template here. I love to incorporate fresh or frozen spinach, kale, or other leafy greens with low-sugar fruits like berries, coconut oil, coconut milk (or cream to make it thicker), and frozen cauliflower rice with a plain unsweetened collagen peptides powder for protein (which is really the only “approved” protein powder for AIP, but it’s not a complete source of protein).
This is also a great place to add a mild-tasting bone broth (like chicken or turkey) as the liquid for a bit more protein and gut-healing goodness.
Meal prep option: you can make these recipes ahead of time to save time.
Are snacks and desserts allowed on AIP?
Snacks or desserts made with AIP-compliant ingredients are allowed on AIP. However, since the purpose of the AIP diet is to remove inflammatory triggers, you’ll want to enjoy them in moderation.
Be sure to eat enough food at each meal, so you aren’t starving throughout the day, and enjoy all desserts mindfully to fully be satisfied it.
Here are 6+ low-sugar AIP desserts to try!
What snacks do you recommend for travel or on-the-go?
These are my go-to snacks (sometimes brands change their ingredients; always read the ingredient list to ensure they’re AIP-friendly)
What coffee replacements are good on AIP?
How do I eat this way living in a house of non-AIP or even non-Paleo eaters?!
I know it can be a challenge! But remember, your loved ones want you to be healthy and happy. With some preparation, the right attitude, and boundaries… you can do it. Let me explain more via video because I have a lot to say on the topic…
Watch my series on navigating a healing diet at home with picky eaters and in social situations or while traveling.
Where can I shop for AIP-compliant products?
With some investigative work, of course, you can find AIP-friendly products in your grocery store, but there are great online resources available that take the guesswork out of it for you!
Find a list of my favorite shops right here.
What are nightshades?
Nightshades are a family of plants you’ll most commonly see as vegetables or spices. They include tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, and peppers (including pepper spices). Nightshades contain solanine which can cause inflammation in high doses, so they’re excluded from the elimination phase of AIP.
Does AIP heal leaky gut or IBS (inflammatory bowel disease)?
AIP is an elimination diet focused on including nutrient density and healing foods to support you on your (gut) healing journey. However, it’s not. a “cure” to any condition like IBS, Hashimoto’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other autoimmune diseases. In my personal and professional experience, it’s a great tool that can help reduce inflammation, teach you about your triggers, and help you get more in tune with your healing body! I’d always recommend using this as one tool in your arsenal amongst many like working with skilled practitioners, seeking community/support, and managing stress as a part of an overall lifestyle.
When is it time for reintroductions and does that mean I would now use the Paleo diet?
The reintroduction phase is part of the overall Autoimmune Protocol after eliminations. The recommendation is to eliminate for approx. 1-3 months and not any longer than that. Many people start to see a reduction in symptoms like reduced fatigue, pain, and digestive issues within the first month and start to consider reintroductions on their own or with a practitioner for more support. If symptoms aren’t resolving at all, there’s likely much more that needs to be addressed like possible gut infections, mold exposure, or other health conditions that need to be prioritized or handled in tandem with dietary tweaks. Depending on how you feel mentally, physically, and emotionally, it’s an incredibly personal decision on when the right time to reintroduce foods is.
Check out my post about reintroductions here for more tips and tools when you approach that part!
When you do embark on reintroductions, there’s a schedule and food list for each of the 4 reintroduction phases (which you’ll find in this post). Most foods you’ll notice are Paleo, and some aren’t. The idea isn’t to “graduate” to the Paleo diet, but to get more diverse and nutrient-dense foods that may or may not work for you.
Are green beans allowed on AIP if they’re Paleo?
No, green beans and all legumes are still excluded from the elimination phase of AIP.
What spices ARE allowed on AIP?
I like to stick to anything that’s green as a general rule of thumb, like herbs such as dill, thyme, basil, parsley, oregano, cilantro (fresh only, not coriander), etc. This way I ensure I’m not accidentally including a nightshade spice. I also love seasoning food with alliums like onion, garlic, shallots, etc. (whether fresh or in dried powdered form), ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric are also favorites! You’ll see these used often in all my recipes.
Is all dairy excluded from AIP even if it’s A1 or grass-fed?
Yes, all forms of dairy are excluded from the elimination phase of AIP but after challenging reintroductions, you might be able to get back some high-quality dairy!
What are the best proteins to eat on AIP?
Do your best with what you can always, by getting the best quality you can reasonably attain. The most nutrient-dense (better for you and the environment) animal proteins will be grass-fed, pasture-raised organic meats and wild fish and seafood (ideally that’s lower in mercury like wild salmon). I love to have grass-fed ground meat like beef, elk, bison, lamb, and organic pasture-raised poultry like chicken and turkey on hand in my freezer all the time with plenty of spices in my pantry to switch up flavors and seasonal veggies like roasted asparagus in the spring, root vegetables like roasted winter squash and sweet potato fries in the autumn and winter, and easy salad greens under some grilled chicken breast or chicken thigh and some chimichurri! Canned fish is also a pantry staple.
Don’t forget about including organ meats when it comes to protein! Try my lemon and garlic liver and onions recipe that will make you a be-liver. AIP isn’t just about eliminations, it’s also about what you’re including and you want lots of nutrient-dense, healing foods like organ meats, broths, and probiotic-rich foods like coconut yogurt or sauerkraut for example. I talk a lot more about this in my new cookbook, The Paleo Gut Healing Cookbook.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I hope you are enjoying this meal plan to get you started or refreshed with your AIP journey. Please come back and tell me how it’s going by leaving a star rating and sharing in the comments below!
Disclaimer: This plan is for information only and isn’t intended to replace the advice of a physician or medical practitioner. Please see your healthcare provider before beginning any new diet, health program, or intervention.
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40 comments
Looking for meals to reduce inflammation
I hope you find these recipes useful!
These are great recipes. I’ll definitely be trying your meal plan. I love meal prepping, so this is perfect for me.
I appreciate all the information and meal ideas you have in this post. I have booked marked for future reference.
Perfect! I love this recipe! I haven’t made one in ages. Thanks for the idea!
I always struggle with coming up with recipes for the entire week- this meal plan was exactly what I needed!
Awesome, so glad it can support you!
The salmon cakes and the tuna pasta are calling to me! Everything looks so good, though.
You will love those!!
I am loving AIP! I’ve been trading out some of the recipes from the meal plan, to adjust to my tastes, but everything has been delicious and I’m already feeling so much better! I do miss my coffee though 🙂
I’m so happy you’re enjoying it! I hear ya on the coffee… give Sip Herbals a try though, here’s my discount link: https://sipherbals.com/?ref=ALISONMARRAS (and as a reminder, most tea is AIP compliant in moderation):
I’m dairy-free and LOVE these recipes! Breakfast has been tricky for me as I try to go no dairy, grains, or eggs most of the week, but the breakfast hash is fantastic. Filling and delicious!
I love these salmon cakes for breakfast – everybody in my family loves them, regardless of their dietary needs and wants! Thank you!!
Love all the healthy recipes in this plan! I’m doing a re-set after eating too much during the holidays so this is perfect!
Oh wow, this meal plan is exactly what I have been looking for. It’s perfect!
Awesome!
I’m super excited to try these! I have Hashimoto’s and want to provide my body the fighting chance it needs to keep me healthy and feeling better. Fingers crossed this helps with my current flare-ups.
I hope you enjoy it and that it helps you along your healing journey!
What a wonderful meal plan! I’m not on the AIP diet, but just always trying to find healthy meal plans for the week – those salmon cakes are calling my name. Thanks!
Thanks for all the great recipes on here. It certainly does make the AIP Meal Planning less daunting.
My pleasure, enjoy it!
I really enjoyed all of the great information here!
Yum yum yum! So easy, healthy and delicious! thanks!
You’re so welcome, I’m happy you enjoyed it!
Love finding recipes for gut health! These look fabulous – bookmarking!
Perfect, enjoy, Wanda!
Thank you for being such a great resource, it made my intro into AIP much easier and less daunting, answered so many of my questions with thoughtful and logical information that was both fun and easy to read. The suggestions with meal planning are great as you always have food on hand. A few items are not readily stocked where I live but have been able to find some substitutes. Thank you 😊
Breda, that’s music to my ears!! So happy it was helpful and sending you hugs on the journey.
This is a great meal plan! I had no idea there would be so many delicious recipes that could be included in an AIP diet. Thanks! again!
Thanks so much, Suzy! Absolutely possible with some creativity 😉
So many great recipes here! I love salmon with pesto and can’t wait to try it in a salad with bacon.
That’s definitely one of my faves! Hope you enjoy! xx
Love the variety of foods and helpful advice on how to follow this protocol. Very helpful and informative.
Thanks so much, Lisa! I aim to please 😉 The more info and tools we have, the better set up for success we are.
Love all this information! I have a friend who is struggling with what to eat and how to manage an AIP diet, can’t wait to share this resource with her. Thanks for pulling so much together!
Amazing! So happy you can help her with this resource. You’re a great friend 😉
So much amazing choice here. The chicken salad jars sound amazing.
Thank you!! They’re so easy and great for a picnic!
Thank yo so much for this! I just started the AIP Protocol, and have been struggling to make my food more creative & flavorful. I cant wait to try these!
Hannah, you’re so welcome! I hope this is helpful for you on your journey!