Meal planning of any kind can be overwhelming, which is why we’d like to show you AIP meal planning made easy. Regardless of how long you’ve been eating according to this dietary lifestyle, our tips and suggestions will help you be successful in sticking with it. Don’t be intimidated by trying to come up with a workable AIP meal plan. It is 100% possible to put something together that works for you and your entire family.
Why should I do AIP meal planning?
As with any form of meal planning, it can be somewhat difficult trying to keep up with what you can and can’t eat. Meal planning will help you intentionally prepare meals that are filled with all the “yes” foods. When it comes to the autoimmune protocol, things can seem a bit trickier, so having a plan can keep you more focused and determined to stick with it.
How to find ease with AIP Meal Planning
Keep your AIP meal planning simple.
Nothing is more intimidating in the world of meal planning other than trying to choose way too many recipes, and difficult ones at that. The more complex your meals, the longer your grocery list will be and the least likely you’ll actually want to follow through with cooking. The overall goal of AIP meal planning is to give you options that are flexible and practical.
Consider what works for you and your family.
AIP meal planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. Honestly, no diet or meal plan should be. Get in the habit of individualizing your meal planning so you can meet all the needs of your family, especially if everyone is eating according to the same plan. Also included in this consideration is the time you have to prepare and cook meals. If you have time to cook throughout the week, prep may not be needed. On the other hand, if you’re a busy family, prep may become your best friend.
Always be realistic.
Surfing the internet can often put you on a meal planning high only to realize that when you try and implement it, it doesn’t really work. Not to say you can’t glean from what you find, but you’ll still want to stay within your natural parameters. Keep in mind how much you’ll actually want to cook each week as well as how much time you have to plan and prepare. Don’t feel obligated to have to cook three meals per day, seven days per week. And if you have older kids in the family, let them each grab a meal to take care of.
Tips to Keep in Mind when AIP Meal Planning
- For starters, make sure your meals match your schedule. If you’re busy, plan meals that are quick and easy to prepare.
- Try to cook dinners in a way that will provide you with lunch leftovers for the next day.
- If snacks are a must, go for no-prep.
AIP Meal Planning Suggestions
These meal suggestions are aimed toward giving you ideas and inspiration as you pursue your own meal planning journey. As you begin finding your own recipes, you’ll soon realize there are lots of yummy things to choose from. To make your search much easier, consider using our Real Plans app. It will help you pick and choose meals that will accommodate you and your family’s lifestyle.
Breakfast Ideas:
- Apple Berry Smoothie
- Sweet Potato Bowl
- Strawberry Banana Acai Smoothie
Lunch Ideas:
- Egg Roll in a Bowl
- Avocado Tuna Salad
- Lemon-Fried Avocado
- Chicken Sage Hash
- Chicken Avocado Soup
- Southwest Salad with Pork
Dinner Ideas:
- One-Pan Chicken Pesto
- Unstuffed Cabbage Roll
- Ground Beef Stir Fry
- Instant Pot Beef Brisket
Snack Ideas:
- Sliced Cucumbers
- Diced Roasted Acorn Squash
- Berries
Final Thoughts
One thing we can all agree on is AIP requires the utmost commitment and meal planning can help you be successful. If you haven’t tried our Real Plans App, we highly recommend that you do it ASAP! Real Plans creates custom weekly meal plans using over 200 built-in AIP recipes, with the option to add 100s more from some of your favorite AIP bloggers. As you heal and learn what your body needs to be healthy, you can slowly reintroduce the eliminated food groups, and Real Plans can help with that too.
