Health Challenge - Intro to the AIP Diet (Auto Immune Protocol)

I'm in quite a few support groups on Facebook sharing my story/success and learning from other members as well. Had a few requests from members to learn about AIP. Sharing with all my journey peeps what the AIP diet entails and is recommended for anyone that has health issues. Your health begins in your gut and if you have health issues it means your problems started in your gut where your immune system is. This diet allows your gut to heal by eliminating trigger foods and reintroducing at a later time. It's not 100% fool proof as I've found I still have issues with foods that are allowed like green apples and carrots because they are higher in sugar and my SIBO says nom nom nom. Lol But I haven't had a severe flare up in months and only get cramps and discomfort when I haven't prepared the food myself and not sure what the food  contains. The first week on this diet I dropped 3 lbs and continued at that pace for 3 weeks and then lost 1 lb steady for weeks until I plateaued at 27 lbs lost. I'm  on a new protocol to address other issues and seems like I'm dropping weight again.  I am doing nothing extra except for my morning walks because frankly I'm still not there energy wise. I tried running for 3 weeks but that relationship ended quickly because I was still suffering from adrenal fatigue even though I was feeling much better. But I actually wasn't better and still have a ways to go. I have been sick for years that I couldn't remember what 100% feeling better feels like and I pushed it too soon. If you don't have any major health issues you can adapt a Paleo version of AIP. I promise it will help in some way if you stick to it and change your thinking from "live to eat" to "eat to live". I challenge you to try it for a few weeks and see if you don't see any changes.  Warning that you may feel sick or light headed at first as your body gets used to not being fed so many carbs and processed foods but it won't last. Idea is clean eating. High veggies and lower fruits and meats. You don't realize how much food you consume that is processed until you go to make something and realize you can't use it. Very eye opening! The image shows a 30 day minimum elimination timeline but for those with severe flares or digestion issues I would suggest doing it for at least 3 months. You can do it!

 

 

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The Bad Bugs in Your Gut

Anyone who follows my blog or group on facebook knows that I am constantly doing research on food and health. I am almost done the book Eat Dirt by Dr. Josh Axe and had to share something that I came across in it that I found so interesting. We've all heard that our gut should be comprised of good bacteria but sometimes bad bacteria can take over which causes what is now known as leaky gut. There was a small paragraph sectioned off in this book that gave a little description of this and I wanted to share it with you.

"  HOW PATHOGENIC BUGS CHANGE OUR BEHAVIOUR - All microbes learn, grow, adapt - and these adaptations actually have a hand in controlling our behavior. One thing they have the biggest control over is our food cravings. Bacteria help themselves survive by influencing us to choose foods that feature the particular nutrients they grow best on, rather than just taking whatever comes along. Some bacteria love fat, others love sugar. The bacteria are able to manipulate our feelings and cravings by changing neural signals along the vagus nerve. In this way, our gut bacteria literally teach us what to eat - they're able to alter our taste receptors, release toxins that make us feel bad, and reward us with chemicals that make us feel good - all in the service or their own survival and population growth."

That just hit me like lightning. How many times have I grabbed for something that I didn't really need but wanted to badly and then felt so good after taking a bite. Little rascals! I'll tell you that paragraph really hit me and made me realize that our body will give us all the signs when it needs help but are we actually listening to what we want to hear or what we need to hear. I'm listening now girl....message received. :)