Four years ago, I found myself feeling… off. Not just tired, but deeply tired. The kind of tired that sleep doesn’t fix.

For years, I had been dealing with hypothyroidism. I was taking medication, doing everything “right,” and still…

Waking up exhausted
Dealing with constant muscle pain
Dry skin, red eyes
Brain fog
And the worst part, chronic back pain

I blamed everything. My mattress. My workouts. Stress. But never once did I think…maybe it’s the food.

After years of feeling this way, I started doing my own research.

(Quick note: I’m not a doctor, this is just my personal experience.)

That’s when I came across anti-inflammatory protocols, specifically the AIP (Autoimmune Protocol).

What Is an Autoimmune Protocol?

The AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) is a short-term, anti-inflammatory way of eating designed to help your body reset and heal from autoimmune diseases and overall inflammation.

It works in two phases:

1. Elimination phase (usually around 30 days)
You remove foods that are more likely to trigger inflammation or sensitivities, things like gluten, dairy, processed foods, and other potential irritants. During this time, you focus on very clean, whole foods to give your body a break and allow symptoms to calm down.

2. Reintroduction phase
After the reset, you slowly add foods back in, one at a time, so you can see how your body responds. This is the most important part, because it helps you understand what actually works for you and what doesn’t.

The goal is not to stay restricted forever. It’s to learn how to eat in a way that makes you feel your best.

I decided to commit to a strict 30-day reset. And I’m not exaggerating when I say…Within days, I started feeling different, much better. At the end of the 30 days, all my “inflammation symptoms” were gone.

At its core, this way of eating is about one thing: Reducing inflammation so your body can heal.

That means:

No processed foods
No additives or artificial ingredients
No shortcuts

Just real, whole, nourishing food.

During the strict phase (like I did), you eliminate:

Gluten
Dairy
Corn
Soy
Eggs
Legumes
Nightshades (like tomatoes, peppers, eggplant)
Nuts & seeds
Processed sugars & sweeteners
Alcohol
Processed meats & trans fats

I know… it sounds like everything. And yes, it’s strict. But here’s what most people don’t expect: You can still eat incredibly well and delicious. But the best part is to experience how your body feels.

Foods to Eat for Reduced Inflammation

This is where it gets exciting.

Think:

Wild-caught fish
Grass-fed meats
Fresh vegetables (non-nightshade)
Sweet potatoes
Fruits (in moderation)
Healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, coconut
Bone broth, herbs, spices

Everything homemade. Everything natural. If it comes on a box or a package you can’t eat.`

And honestly, some of the most delicious meals I’ve ever had came from this phase. Even my kids ate them, and many of my favorite dishes I still make today are ones I learned during that time.

Sample AIP Meal Plan

Here is a simple example of what I was eating during that 30 day elimination period.

Breakfast
Detox Avocado Green Smoothie (with clean protein powder)

Lunch
Ground grass-fed beef, with broccoli and butternut squash

Snack
Bone Broth soup

Dinner
Wild caught salmon with dill and olive oil, and avocado salad

Simple. Clean. Satisfying.

After the 30 days, I started reintroducing foods slowly. And this is where everything clicked. Because now… I could feel the difference immediately. I’ll share more about the reintroduction phase and how I eat still today on next week’s Substack. Five years later, I don’t follow it 100% strictly, but I know what works for my body.

And that’s the real goal.

If you’re dealing with:

Low energy
Bloating or inflammation
Skin issues
Hormonal imbalances
Autoimmune conditions

This could be a powerful reset. Not as a “diet.” But as a tool to understand your body and feel much much better.

A Gentle Reminder

This isn’t medical advice, just my personal experience. But if this resonates with you, I highly recommend learning more. A great resource I personally found helpful is Dr. Amy Myers, who focuses on autoimmune and inflammation-related health.

If you’re looking for a personalized AIP meal plan, or a chef to help you stay consistent, we have a curated anti-inflammatory meal plan at Chefpost with a variety of delicious menu options, plus we match you with vetted personal chefs who prepare everything for you, so you can stay on track with your health goals and focus on feeling your best.

Food for Thought:

This way of eating changed my life. Not because of how I looked… But because of how I felt. Clear. Energized. Pain-free. And once you feel that… there’s really no going back.

If you’ve ever felt like something is “off” and you can’t quite figure out why… this might be worth exploring. Feel free to make any questions in the comments, happy to share and help you make your life easier, better and healthier.

Chefpost Curated

The Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plan That Changed…