However, snacking too much can cause problems such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
The key is moderation – and this is particularly true if you are following a diet or food plan such as AIP, or Autoimmune Protocol Diet
We took a closer look at some of the tastiest, healthiest AIP store-bought snacks, to ensure that you remain satisfied while working towards your goals and healing your body.
What Is AIP?
AIP stands for Autoimmune Protocol, which is an eating style based on research by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride.
It was developed after she discovered how her own body’s immune system reacted when she followed conventional medical advice.
Her findings led her to develop a protocol that helped her heal from autoimmune diseases like Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Celiac Disease, and more.
She also found that it could help people with other conditions including digestive disorders, allergies, asthma, migraines, fibromyalgia, and even depression.
The routine is also sometimes referred to as the “GAPs” diet – though there are differences in the terms, as we shall explore shortly.
AIP is not a fad diet; rather, it is a lifestyle change that involves making small changes to your daily habits.
You may have heard about it before, but did you know that there are actually two different versions of the protocol: one for those who want to lose weight, and another for those who want to improve their overall health and wellness?
GAPS Diet
The GAPS (Gluten And Casein Free) Diet is a version of the AIP protocol that focuses on eliminating gluten and casein from the diet.
This is because these foods are known to trigger inflammation in the gut, and they often lead to leaky gut syndrome.
Leaky gut syndrome occurs when the intestinal lining becomes damaged, allowing harmful bacteria into the bloodstream.
These bacteria then travel throughout the body, causing inflammation and contributing to various chronic illnesses.
While the GAPS Diet has been around for decades, it gained popularity again in recent years thanks to Dr. Natasha Campbell-Smith, who popularized it through her book Gut Healing.
The GAPS Diet has also been shown to be effective in treating inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn’s disease, celiac disease, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, and more.
In short, the GAPS Diet is a very restrictive diet that eliminates all grains, dairy products, legumes, soy, nuts, seeds, and sugar.
Instead, it recommends consuming only vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, fish, and bone broth.
In addition, you must avoid any processed foods, alcohol, caffeine, artificial sweeteners, and refined sugars.
It should be noted that the GAPS Diet does not recommend using supplements, herbs, or medications during the first few weeks of the program.
Rather, it encourages patients to focus on healing their gut first, so that they can start feeling better and experience fewer symptoms.
Autoimmune Paleo Diet
The Autoimmune Paleo (or AIP) Diet is similar to the GAPS Diet, but it differs in some key ways.
For starters, the AIP Diet allows for the consumption of whole grains, legumes, and dairy products.
In fact, many proponents of this diet believe that these foods are beneficial for our bodies and that they should be included in our diets.
Another difference between the GAPS Diet and the AIP Diet is that the latter includes a wider variety of food types than the former.
While both protocols eliminate certain foods, the AIP Diet includes a wide range of foods that are typically considered “healthy”.
These include avocados, coconut oil, dark chocolate, honey, olive oil, raw milk, and wine.
Another major difference between the two diets is that the GAPS Diet requires strict adherence to its guidelines, while the AIP Diet is much less rigid.
It allows for flexibility in terms of what foods you eat, as long as you stick with the basic principles outlined above.
AIP Store-Bought Snacks
If you’re looking for snacks to help keep you going throughout the day, here are some top store-bought snacks to satiate your appetite :
Epic Bars
Epic bars are made by Primal Kitchen, which is a company based out of California.
They offer a number of different flavors, including Chocolate Peanut Butter, Dark Chocolate
Almond Coconut, and Pumpkin Pie Spice
One of the main advantages of Epic Bars is that they are packed with protein, and are super healthy and delicious.
Wild Zora
Wild Zora is another brand of snack bars from Primal Kitchen.
They come in several different flavors, including Cinnamon Roll, Caramel Apple, and Blueberry Muffin.
Like Epic Bars, Wild Zora contains a lot of natural ingredients, such as almonds, pecans, walnuts, and flaxseed.
They are also gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO, offering plenty of health benefits as well as a great taste!
Plantain Chips
Plantains are a delicious alternative to potato chips, and they make an excellent snack option if you want something crunchy and salty.
You can find plantain chips at most grocery stores, and they usually cost around $4 per bag.
They contain no trans fats, and they have zero calories, making them perfect for weight loss.
AIP Cereals
If you are feeling peckish, there is nothing more satisfying than eating a bowl of cereal.
However, traditional cereals often contain lots of sugar and other unhealthy ingredients.
Luckily, there are now AIP cereals available that don’t contain any artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or GMOs.
Some of the best brands include Kashi GoLean and Nature Valley, and Quaker Oats.
Nuts & Seeds
Nuts and seeds are another great choice of snack – they provide you with energy without adding too much fat or carbs.
Nuts and seeds can be enjoyed on their own, or add them to salads, soups, and sandwiches.
You can buy them pre-packaged, or you can roast your own nuts and seeds at home.
Roasting brings out their flavor and makes them easier to digest.
Fresh Or Dried Fruit
Fresh fruit is always a good idea when it comes to snacking, but dried fruit has many advantages over fresh.
For one thing, it lasts longer, so you won’t need to go through the hassle of buying new fruits every week.
Dried fruit also doesn’t require refrigeration, so you can easily take it along wherever you go.
Plus, it’s easy to carry around, and it’s not messy like fresh fruit would be.
Berries
Berries are a fantastic source of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.
They also happen to be very low in calories, making them ideal for snacking.
The best berries to eat are blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cranberries – these offer the highest levels of antioxidants.
Chomps Beef Sticks
Chomps beef sticks are another tasty AIP-approved snack, especially if you’re looking for something meaty.
These are made from grass-fed beef, and they are high in protein and iron.
Almond Butter
Almond butter is another healthy snack option, full of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and omega-3s.
It tastes amazing spread on celery, apples, bananas, or toast, and is a great way to feel satisfied while still sticking to your meal plan, and feeling as healthy as possible.
Avocado
Avocados are packed with nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6, folate, and biotin.
They are also extremely versatile and can be used in place of mayonnaise, sour cream, guacamole, salad dressings, dips, and spreads, making them a perfect option for snacking.
Final Thoughts
An AIP diet is all about balance, and this means that you should never feel deprived.
If you stick to the above 10 snacks, you will be able to enjoy some wonderful foods that are both nutritious and delicious.
Hi, my name is Jenna Lane and I have been following the paleo diet for almost three years.
I am a dietary specialist and help my clients find the right diets for them.
Unfortunately, I can only take on so many clients at a time. Though, thanks to the internet, I can upload my knowledge onto this website and help more people around the world!
That is my aim with this website, so please peruse it and learn. Dieting doesn’t have to be tough - you just need to find the right one for you.
