how to manage the reintroduction phase of the AIP protocol?

The AIP protocol is a holistic approach that addresses both diet and lifestyle . It was developed to help people with autoimmune diseases. AIP helps to reduce inflammation, alleviate symptoms, andimprove the intestinal balance among other things. The method consists mainly of an elimination diet followed by a reintroduction phase. It is this phase that we will focus on today.

when can I reintroduce forbidden foods?

There are no clear rules about the stage of reintroduction of forbidden foods in the first phase of the AIP protocol. As soon as you feel better in your general health, you can start to reintroduce certain foods. In fact, improving the quality of sleep, better stress management through meditationthe addition of low intensity exercise and a diet rich in vitamins and minerals can make you feel better after a few weeks. When you begin the reintroduction period, you should be methodical. It is usually advisable to reintroduce only one food at a time, every 5 to 7 days. During this period you should be on the lookout for the slightest symptom. This is why we strongly suggest that you keep a food diary. Indeed, some foods can provoke a reaction that is not immediate, hence the interest of the food diary that allows you to look back to identify a possible “culprit”. We recommend that you do not initiate a reintroduction procedure during aninfectious episode or after a major stress ora moreintense sports sessionthan usual, for example. This could make it difficult to interpret any reaction to the new food. It is important to bear in mind that each person is unique. Some people will feel better after three weeks, while others may need to wait longer for their symptoms to improve. Don’t compare your journey with your neighbour’s, take as much time as you need.

where to start?

Once you have completed the elimination phase, you can start reintroducing foods one at a time, each week. This dietary reintroduction step will help you identify the foods that trigger a major inflammatory response in you.

For ease of use, we suggest you follow these guidelines:

Select the foods you want to add back into your diet. Eat it three times and then don’t eat it again for five days.
The first time you eat it, eat only half a teaspoon. Wait a quarter of an hour to observe any symptoms.
If symptoms appear, do not eat any more. If nothing happens, eat another teaspoon and wait another 15 minutes.
If you experience symptoms within 15 minutes, do not eat any more until further notice. If you do not notice anything, eat a larger amount. Then wait two to three hours and watch for symptoms.
If you notice symptoms within two to three hours, do not eat the food at that time. If there are no symptoms, eat a normal portion of the food. Do not eat the food again for the next five days.
Watch for any symptoms during these five days.
Do not reintroduce any other food during these five days.
If you have not experienced any symptoms during these five days, you have successfully passed the reintroduction phase! You can now reintroduce this food into your daily diet.

Sources https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5647120/#:~:text=The%20Diet%20AIP%20is%20focused%20on,%2C%20oil%2C%2C%20and%20foods%20additives. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6892563/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7147823/