How to Get Started on a Healing Diet
In the last episode of the Phoenix Helix podcast, Dr. Sarah Ballantyne covered the science behind the paleo autoimmune protocol (AIP). Today’s episode is all about practical implementation.
I’m joined by two AIP experts. Both of them have used the AIP to reverse Hashimoto’s and celiac disease. Mickey Trescott is one of the bloggers behind Autoimmune Wellness and Christina Feindel is the blogger behind A Clean Plate. Together, we share our best advice for getting started on a healing diet, how to set yourself up for success, what resources are available to help, and how to stick with the protocol when temptation hits.
Listen to the Show
- Subscribe to my podcast through your favorite podcast app: iTunes, Stitcher, Google, TuneIn, Spotify, Amazon, etc.
- You can also listen to the episode right here through the player below, and if you subscribe to my newsletter you’ll get notified of future episodes.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Show Notes
- Intro (0:00)
- Meet Our Guests (1:13)
- Mickey Trescott is a nutritional therapy practitioner, the blogger behind Autoimmune Wellness, and the author of the Autoimmune Paleo Cookbook. She has Hashimoto’s and celiac disease. At her worst, she lost her job, was homebound, felt faint whenever she stood up, had slurred speech, bodywide pain, and thought she was dying. Now, after 2+ years on a healing diet, she works full time, has loads of energy, feels strong and healthy, lives on a farm, and feels happy and hopeful again. Healing didn’t happen overnight – it was slow progress – and she kept a journal to mark the improvements.
- Christina Feindel is the blogger behind A Clean Plate, the author of the meal plan: 28 Days of AIP, and host of the YouTube Channel: The Autoimmune Connection. She also has Hashimoto’s and gluten ataxia – a form of celiac disease that affects the brain and is often misdiagnosed as MS. At her worst, she lost her job and many of her friends, due to her inability to function. She had daily migraines and neurological symptoms, and eventually felt suicidal. After just 2 months on the AIP, her symptoms improved dramatically. Now, she is happy, social, energized, healthy, and has a demanding job she absolutely loves.
- Both Mickey and Christina were vegans before going paleo, and eating meat again made a major difference in their healing.
- Step 1: Gathering Information (15:59)
- Some favorite paleo blogs: Nom Nom Paleo, The Domestic Man, and Paleo Leap
- Some favorite paleo books: Paleo Manifesto, Eat the Yolks, and Practical Paleo.
- Some favorite AIP blogs: The Paleo Mom, AIP Sisterhood, and A Squirrel in the Kitchen.
- Some favorite AIP books and resources: The Paleo Approach, A Simple Guide to the AIP, AIP Recipe Roundtable, AIP Inspiration on Instagram, and Reintroducing Foods on the AIP.
- Update: since this podcast aired, many more excellent resources have been published. You can see a summary of them here: The Great Paleo AIP Book and Cookbook Roundup!
- Step 2: Getting Support (27:14)
- We share our personal experiences, positive and negative, regarding the support of people in our lives.
- We talk about how our households are set up food-wise.
- Dr. Terry Wahls finds that her patients are much more likely to succeed on a healing diet if the household agrees to keep unsafe foods out of the house.
- However, if that’s not an option, listen to Podcast Ep. 117: Eating AIP in a Non-Paleo Home.
- Internet support groups: The Paleo Mom Community Website, Facebook Groups: Autoimmune Paleo Recipes and AIP Support. There are also a growing number of local meet-up groups for people following the AIP, who have pages on Facebook to coordinate events. Here’s a current list.
- Be careful of joining disease-specific groups that are not focused on healing. Often, these groups are places where people share their fears and worst symptoms, without seeking solutions. You want the groups where you’ll find inspiration, motivation and support.
- Step 3: Saving Time in the Kitchen (43:37)
- Batch cooking – Mickey has a free video on YouTube as well as a video tutorial with recipes and meal plans.
- One pot meals for quick and complete dinners. Resources: The Paleo AIP Instant Pot Cookbook and 28 Days of One-Pot AIP.
- Meal planning a week in advance.
- If you forget to defrost your meat, try the hot water bath method.
- We share our favorite ideas for breakfasts and quick lunches.
- Some of our favorite on-the-go snacks: jerky, raw veggies, Bison Epic Bar, and pouched salmon and tuna.
- Listen to Episode 55 for more time-saving tips.
- There’s also a new AIP cookbook: 30 Minute Meals for the Paleo AIP.
- Step 4: Advice for Sticking With it When Temptation Hits (54:48)
- Set yourself up for success by following the tips shared earlier in the podcast.
- If you “fall off the paleo wagon“, don’t use it as an excuse to stay off long-term. Forgive yourself, and get back on.
- Keep in mind the power of food over your health. You don’t want to kill yourself slowly.
- Healing is an act of self-love; you are worth it!
- Announcement About the Autoimmune Summit (1:00:28)
- A free online event happening November 10-17, 2014
- Presentations by 40 experts on reversing autoimmunity.
- Register now, and you’ll receive an email reminder when the event goes live, and notification of each day’s topics.
- Outro (1:01:57)
- Follow Mickey through her website, Autoimmune Wellness, and Christina through her blog, A Clean Plate.
- Eileen (your podcast host) is the author of multiple books, written to help people thrive with autoimmune disease. Learn more on the Books Page.
- If you like this podcast, follow or subscribe through your favorite podcast app. You can also subscribe to Eileen’s biweekly newsletter.
- Check out the entire archive of podcast episodes.
You May Also Be Interested In
Spreading the Word
If you like the podcast, please leave a positive review in iTunes. It would mean the world to me, and also helps others find the podcast. Here are some quick instructions using your iPhone:
- If you are already subscribed to my podcast: (1) Click the purple podcast icon. (2) At the bottom of the screen, click Library. (3) At the top of the screen, click Shows. (4) Click the Phoenix Helix podcast image. (5) Scroll down the page, and you’ll see Ratings and Reviews. Scroll down a little bit more and click on Write a Review. This will bring up the review screen. Tap 5 stars (if you love the podcast), and then click in the title box, and it will bring up the keyboard. Enter a title and short review. (6) Click Send in the upper right corner. (7) Thank you! Positive reviews give the podcast a higher search ranking in iTunes, helping people find it and letting them know it’s a quality podcast and worth their time to listen.
- If you haven’t subscribed to my podcast: (1) Click the purple podcast icon. (2) In the lower right corner, click the magnifying class. (3) Type Phoenix Helix in the search box. (4) Click the podcast cover in the Show list. (5) If you’d like to subscribe, click the + sign at the top of the screen. (6) To write a review, scroll down the page, and you’ll see Ratings and Reviews. Scroll down a little bit more and click on Write a Review. This will bring up the review screen. Tap 5 stars (if you love the podcast), and then click in the title box, and it will bring up the keyboard. Enter a title and short review. (7) Click Send in the upper right corner. (8) Thank you! Positive reviews give the podcast a higher search ranking in iTunes, helping people find it and letting them know it’s a quality podcast and worth their time to listen.
Do You Have My Books?
