Introduction
If you’ve been living with an autoimmune disease, then you know that dietary changes can make a huge difference in your health and well-being.
While there are many diets out there that claim to be the “perfect” solution for autoimmune diseases, the truth is that each person’s body responds differently to different diets. However, there are certain diets that have been found to be effective in reducing inflammation and improving overall health.
But which diets are best for autoimmunity? Read on to discover the top 5 diets for autoimmune diseases that you may have missed while managing your condition.
Top Diets For Autoimmune Disease
- The Paleo Diet. This diet is based on the idea that modern food is bad for our bodies and that we should eat as our prehistoric ancestors did. The paleo diet consists of whole, unprocessed foods like meat, fish, eggs, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, and healthy fats from olive and coconut oil. This diet does not include any dairy products or grains because they weren’t available during prehistoric times. It’s been found to reduce inflammation in people with autoimmune diseases due to its emphasis on eating whole foods that are free from added sugars and preservatives.
- The Keto Diet. The ketogenic diet is another popular choice for people looking to manage or even reverse their autoimmune disorder symptoms. On a ketogenic diet, the body’s metabolism of fat instead of carbohydrate as its preferred source of energy produces ketone bodies. The goal is to stay in “ketosis” by adjusting your macronutrient intake (carbs, proteins, fats) to ensure the production of those ketones. Before starting any diet, especially one that encourages elimination or severe reduction of nutrients, you should talk to your doctor or dietitian about your current health, and any medications, and make sure that your ketogenic diet delivers your body what it needs.
- The Anti – Inflammatory Diet. Got aches and pains, an auto-immune disease, or want better nutrition to promote better health? Your body has an inflammatory system, and when it runs better, so do you. The anti-inflammatory diet is exactly what it sounds like—a type of diet focused on reducing inflammation through nutrition alone. This type of diet eliminates processed foods, alcohol, dairy products, sugar, gluten, soy products, nightshade vegetables (such as peppers or tomatoes), caffeine, and other inflammatory triggers from your daily meals while focusing on fresh produce such as fruits and vegetables as well as healthy proteins like fish or lean meats. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body which can lead to improved symptoms associated with autoimmune disease.
- The Mediterranean Diet. This diet focuses on eating a variety of plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds, olive oil as the primary source of fat, herbs, and spices instead of salt for flavorings, herbs & fish (at least twice a week) instead of red meat (no more than once a week). Studies have shown that this type of diet can reduce symptoms associated with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Plus, people who follow this type of diet tend to live longer.
- The AIP Diet (Autoimmune Protocol). This diet is like the paleo diet, but it eliminates certain foods – like nightshades (such as potatoes and tomatoes) – that could further trigger inflammation in those with autoimmune disorders. It also emphasizes the importance of gut health by including probiotics or fermented foods in the diet and removing inflammatory agents such as processed sugars and unhealthy fats from the menu. This stricter approach reduces inflammation more quickly than a paleo approach alone but requires more dedication from its followers.
Conclusion: Tops Diets For Autoimmune Disease
No matter which of these diets you choose to pursue—or if you decide to combine elements from multiple diets into one—it’s important to remember that dietary changes should be done under medical supervision to ensure your safety and make sure you’re getting all of the nutrients needed for good health while avoiding potential triggers for flare-ups or digestive issues associated with autoimmune diseases.
With the right approach, you can take control of your health through dietary changes! However, change takes time, so stick with it! Check out my programs if you’d like more personalized help.
***Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice***
