The Next Diet Trend

The Next Diet Trend

It seems that there’s a new diet trend every year.  We’re all pretty familiar with names like Weight Watchers, Slim Fast, Adkins, Paleo, South Beach, and Keto.  Many of these diets come with celebrity endorsements and enough cook books to fill a small wing at The Library of Congress.  One might say, that as a nation we’re as addicted to the next diet trend almost as much as we’re addicted to the foods that make us need a new diet.

Up until now, most people have had one primary goal when it comes to dieting – Weight Loss.  Whether it’s for a brief run at a New Year’s Resolution or trying to fit into a smaller size for an upcoming event such as a wedding, high school reunion, Spring Break, or vacation, the goals are typically the same even if the choice of diet differs.  And, until there’s a magic pill or potion that actually works as advertised, the primary reason for dieting, at least for Americans, will likely continue to be for weight loss.

A New Trend is Emerging

It is estimated that roughly 50,000,000 Americans now suffer with autoimmune diseases such as arthritis, psoriasis, hashimoto’s, lupus, and multiple sclerosis, just to name a few.  FDA approved medical treatments typically include anti-inflammatories, steroids, and immunosuppressant medications.  These treatments address the symptoms, but not the cause, as it often the case with anything approved by the FDA.

A growing number of patients diagnosed with auto-immune diseases are now turning to diet as a way to reduce symptoms and in some cases send their disease into remission.  In her book, “The Autoimmune Solution”, Dr Amy Myers describes how our American diet (high in grains, sugars, and unhealthy fats) can lead to Leaky Gut Syndrome, which when combined with genetics, is leading many of us into the abyss of autoimmune disease which often multiply into 2, 3, 4, or more diseases, as the root cause is rarely addressed by conventional medicine or the specialists who treat these conditions.

The diet being used by those with autoimmune diseases is commonly referred to as the AIP Diet or Auto-Immune Protocol Diet.  This diet, which looks similar to the Low-FODMAP diet, is a full elimination of grains, processed sugars, night shade vegetables such as peppers and tomatoes, dairy, eggs, alcohol, caffeine, and legumes.  Those following the diet are left with most vegetables, healthy meats (grass fed, free range, etc.), oils such as coconut, olive, & flax seed, bone broth, vinegars, and fermented foods.

The purpose of the AIP diet is to eliminate those foods linked to Leaky Gut Syndrome as well as eliminating foods known to trigger inflammation.  The quite desirable side effect of eliminating these foods is weight loss.  Many people on the AIP diet report losing weight and feeling better.

So, the next time you find yourself looking for the next diet trend, you might consider the AIP Diet.  It’s loaded with healthy vegetables, healthy fats, and healthy proteins and will very likely give you the weight loss your seeking while possibly healing or even preventing the diseases you don’t want.