20 Vegetarian AIP Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Can you do AIP as a vegetarian? ›

To implement AIP safely without eating animal foods, you need to be able to eat enough seafood to meet your minimum protein and nutrient needs. I've seen this approach work well for some people, as well as others who are willing to eat some poultry, but avoid red meat.

Examples of foods you can eat while on the AIP diet include: Vegetables that aren't nightshade vegetables like cucumbers, spinach, sweet potatoes and zucchini. Fresh fruits like apples, oranges, mangos, strawberries, bananas and blueberries.

While I don't think there is anything wrong with eating hummus in moderation if you tolerate it well, chickpeas are a legume, and if you're on AIP or working on healing your gut, it's best to steer clear of legumes until your gut has healed.

Garlic. Another food I recommend you add to your AIP diet is garlic. Garlic is a prebiotic, so it feeds good bacteria in your gut. This can be helpful if you're suffering from an autoimmune disease because your gut and your immune system link together.

Why Can't You Have Coffee on AIP? Coffee isn't allowed on AIP because it's a seed, and since seeds are not allowed during the elimination diet portion of AIP, it's not compliant. (No, it's not actually a bean, despite the term coffee bean!)

You should also avoid certain medications during this phase, namely non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like ibuprofen. So what should you eat? The diet focuses on eating fresh produce. You can also eat meat and fish, bone broth, avocado, honey, vinegars, fresh herbs, sweet potatoes, and more.

However, many individuals with lactose intolerance report they can consume yogurt without any adverse gastrointestinal effects. This is likely due to the beneficial probiotics gobbling up all the lactose in the product. Those with autoimmune conditions should avoid dairy entirely (along with gluten).

Lean ground proteins including turkey, chicken, and beef. Fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon and trout. Other fish you can buy include cod, haddock, tilapia, and tuna. Seafood, including shrimp and scallops.

The foods to avoid on the AIP diet include the following: Dairy products (including milk, cream, butter, yogurt, and cheese) Legumes (including beans, soybeans, peanuts, and lentils)

Are chickpeas OK for AIP? ›

Core AIP excludes all beans and legumes like chickpeas, green beans, peanuts, peas, soybeans and all soy derivatives like tofu and soy sauce. Modified AIP excludes peanuts, soybeans and all soy-based foods and products, but allows beans and other legumes.

AIP Snack Ideas

1. Olives – black, green, or kalamata are fine. Just make sure not to get the green ones with pimentos, as pimentos are not AIP-compliant (they're a nightshade). Also look for cans or jars of olives that are just olives, salt, and water.

First, a list of AIP herbs and spices you probably already know and don't need much explanation. You can still use basil, bay leaves, chives, cilantro/coriander leaves, cinnamon, cloves, dill weed, garlic, ginger, onion powder, parsley, mints, marjoram, rosemary, sage, thyme, and vanilla bean.

Note: *Peppercorns*, meaning Black, White and Pink Pepper Corns that are normally served table side are actually *not* nightshades but berries from an entirely different family. However, they can still be problematic and are no longer accepted as part of a strict AIP protocol.

Research has shown that fruits and vegetables are associated with anti-inflammatory properties. And there is evidence that a vegan diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains reduces inflammation. A plant-based diet may also reduce autoimmune disease symptoms, such as fatigue.

Any diet, including a vegan or vegetarian one, can reap the anti-inflammatory benefits of adding certain oils, says Larson. Extra virgin olive oil helps reduce inflammation and can have a similar effect of ibuprofen.

The AIP diet resembles the paleo diet, both in the types of foods allowed and avoided, as well as in the phases that comprise it. Due to their similarities, many consider the AIP diet an extension of the paleo diet — though AIP may be seen as a stricter version of it.

Avoid These Foods:

Legumes such as lentils, beans (garbanzo beans, black beans, grean beans, etc.), soy, peas, etc. This includes foods derived from legumes such as tofu, tempeh, and certain faux meats. Nightshade family vegetables: eggplants, bell peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, tomatillos, etc.