Autoimmune...what?

First off, I’m all about healthy eating! I’m all in! Veggies, yes. Fruit, yes. Quality protein, (when I can afford it), yes!

I grew up lucky enough to have a mom who cooked balanced nutritional meals. Something I know I took for granted as a kid. Now, I often cook well-balanced meals, I like a lot of green on my plate and I try to not overeat the pasta (I said ‘try’, I typically make too much and eat it all in one sitting).

I don’t fear exercise or the gym, in fact, I enjoy it most days. For the last few months, I’ve taken off from the gym and I’m chomping at the bit to get back into it. So for me to eat a cupcake or eat the whole box of mac and cheese, I’ve always added a little extra into my workouts.

However, I do suffer from Rheumatoid Arthritis, an autoimmune disease that effects the joints. In short, my body thinks my joints are invading and are trying to attack, resulting in swollen knuckles and tiredness. I have been on medication prescribed by my doctor for almost two years now and it’s working really well. My symptoms have become manageable and overall I would say my health improved. But I want to feel like my old self again, the person who had energy, the person who could run and work and stay up late.

Enter in the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP). I found several books in Barnes and Nobles regarding food programs related to helping suffers from autoimmune diseases.

AIP helps to lower inflammation in the body, repair the gastro tract, improve digestion and nutrient absorption, replaces hormones and helps to determine your specific food sensitivities. Basically, the food we eat can either help or hurt our bodies. The designers of the AIP diet have determined the foods that are detrimental and eliminates them completely. You will say goodbye to grains, bean, legume, eggs, dairy, nuts and seeds, processed oils, herbs and spices related to nightshades (pepper) and sugar, alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, food additives and chemicals.

At first glance, I didn’t think this would be hard. Like I said, I eat healthy and cook my own food. I had hesitations about giving up chocolate and caffeine completely, but thought I’d at least try it out.

So why not,? For the sake of my body and health, I could do AIP. I love to cook and know my way around the kitchen to try anything. So I did, and this is my story.