What AIP snacks can I eat?!
Table Of Contents show
Chicken, salmon, veggies and coconut oil gets old fast. Especially when you’ve just transitioned to an anti-inflammatory (gut loving) AIP diet to boost your gut health.
Many people who “go AIP” or follow a “gut healing” protocol fall into food ruts—eating the same things day in and day out, or losing the joy of eating yummy foods.
Many even experience feelings of frustration or exhaustion with their body’s healing process.
“Will I always have to eat this way?!” they cry.
While the answer to that question is unique for every individual, here are 3 Tips for Overcoming Food Ruts on your AIP diet, or gut-healing protocol….PLUS 42 easy, gut-friendly AIP Snacks (to spice up your AIP life!).
3 Tips for Overcoming Gut-Healing & AIP Food Ruts
- Eat Enough
Any diet that “cuts out” or eliminates foods that you once ate, automatically cuts back on your daily intake. A common roadblock people run into in the transition to an AIP-style diet is accidental dieting or chronic under-eating . What makes this even trickier is that often times, with “tummy” issues, appetite is suppressed and you may not actually feel hungry at all. For some, it can be helpful to eat smaller meals throughout the day or 3 meals and 1-2 snacks, as opposed to 3 larger meals in order to support enhanced digestion. In addition, do not neglect mindful eating (eating consistently, even if you don’t feel super hungry), as well as balance: Ensuring you are including protein, veggies and healthy fats with each meal.
- Keep an “Abundance” Mindset
Think: “What CAN I eat?!” As opposed to “What CAN’T I eat?” Even though grains, nuts, dairy, nightshades and eggs are off the table, there are STILL hundreds of foods you CAN eat. We have a choice how we choose to see the glass (half empty vs. half full). When we think with the “abundance” mindset, we feel less pigeon-holed into our diet.
- Challenge: Try 1-2 New Recipes or Foods Each Week
Something that’s helped me in my own gut-healing journey is to “challenge” myself to try new things! I cook at least 1-2 new recipes each week to have on hand, as well as shop “in season” for the latest in fruits and veggies. Keep the “magic” of food—and your relationship with it—alive. (Maybe some of these snack ideas can awaken new inspiration).
42 Easy AIP Snacks
Reach for a fat or protein based snack to keep energy boosted and hunger at bay!
Crunchy
- Plantain Chips with Guacamole (find plantain chips in bulk nut section)
- Sweet Potato Chips (Jackson’s Honest) with Guacamole or Paleo Ranch
- Kale Chips (add nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor)
- Handful Tigernuts (Reintroduction AIP: Soaked Macadamia Nuts, Pumpkin Seeds, Walnuts, Pistachios)
- Plantain Crackers or Grass-fed Ghee (Reintroduction AIP: Seed Crackers)
- Baby Carrots or Cucumbers + Paleo Ranch (look at Central Market)
- Parsnip “Fries” with Aioli
- Carrot Fries, dipped in Paleo Ranch
- Kelp Snacks
- Cauliflower Popcorn
- Cinnamon Raisin Protein Bars
- Coconut Flour Tortilla Chips -chips with Cheese Dip
Savory
- Olives
- Pickle with Organic Turkey/Ham wrapped around it
- Organic Turkey Bacon wrapped Asparagus
- Grass-fed, Organic Beef/Turkey Jerky
- Wild Caught Tuna or Salmon with Primal Kitchen Mayo or Homemade Mayo
- Leftover Protein (chicken, pork chop, etc.)
- Spinach Artichoke Dip with Veggies
- Organic Salami Slices with Bell Pepper or Plantain Chips
- Anti-Inflammatory Meatball Bites with Honey Mustard Dip
- Legume-Free Hummus with Jicama
- “Peel & Eat” Shrimp
Sweet
- Coconut Butter Packet (alone) or with 1/2 Banana
- Steamed Beets + Apple Cider Vinegar
- Coconut Chips or Coconut Flakes-Unsweetened
- Celery with Sunflower Seed Butter with Dried Cranberries
- Prosciutto Wrapped Melon
- Apple Slices with 1-2 Tbsp. Tigernut Spread or Coconut Butter (Reintroduction: Natural Sun-Butter)
- Homemade Carob Chocolate Bar (Reintroduction AIP: 80-100% Dark Chocolate Square, like Eating Evolved )
- Cinnamon or Herbal Tea (Optional: Add splash Coconut Milk or Ghee)
- Homemade AIP Muffins (Zucchini, Carrot, Banana, Pumpkin; use coconut flour, cassava, tiger nut or arrowroot starch)
- Homemade “Energy” Bites
- Avocado Mousse Pudding
- 1-Ingredient Ice Cream
Refreshing
- Homemade Coconut Yogurt
- Sauerkraut + Dried Cranberries
- Smoothie—Additive-free Protein Powder + unsweetened coconut milk (canned, only ingredient guar gum + coconut milk)
- Bone Broth FOND Bone Brot; com; or make your own)
- Goat’s Milk Kefir or Goat’s Milk Yogurt (Some do okay with these)
- Cold Pressed Green Juice
- Grapefruit, Avocado & Cucumber “Salad”