Meal Planning
Failing to plan is planning to fail.
Success on the AIP is easier when you have a few good tips, tricks and tools under your belt.
Do I Need a Coach?
“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” … ahh … if only it were that easy!
If you’ve arrived here, you’re quite possibly struggling on your AIP journey or are at least curious to know what I mean by coaching. I’m not talking about a physical trainer … I’m talking about not having to face the AIP alone.
To state the obvious, big lifestyle changes and health challenges can be overwhelming!
You may be reeling from receiving an autoimmune diagnosis or be completely confused about this new diet your doctor has recommended. You may be faced with fatigue, brain fog and other symptoms that are keeping you in a state of overwhelm. If you’re struggling just to get through the day and need help figuring out how to safely start changing your diet or want to be sure you’re using the right AIP foods for YOUR personal condition, you may want to consider getting some professional help.
For some, AIP Coaching might not be necessary. Maybe you’re a DIY-er who has great will-power and stick-to-itiveness. For me, I’d been been making changes to my diet and lifestyle gradually as I became more and more un-well, so switching to the AIP wasn’t a huge transition. I was already gluten-free, dairy-free, refined sugar-free and never had any love for coffee, so things weren’t quite as challenging.
For others however, the process of transitioning to the AIP may seem more daunting, and you may find it much easier to cope if you have proper coaching by way of an AIP Coach or Functional Medicine Practitioner. Some folks enjoy a very guided approach with support groups while others prefer self-guided learning. Either way, this section of the website has some exceptional options for you, so please keep reading.
Functional Medicine
If you’ve been struggling to find a diagnosis or have a diagnosis and want to get to the root cause of your health challenges, a Functional Medicine Practitioner will help you do just that (your diagnosis is really only the beginning and you really should delve deep to find your root cause or you could just be spinning your wheels or may experience a further set-back).
Functional Medicine is what I like to think of as the perfect combination of traditional and holistic care.
Since I can’t explain it any better, I’ll quote The Institute for Functional Medicine Website:
The Functional Medicine model is an individualized, patient-centered, science-based approach that empowers patients and practitioners to work together to address the underlying causes of disease and promote optimal wellness. It requires a detailed understanding of each patient’s genetic, biochemical, and lifestyle factors and leverages that data to direct personalized treatment plans that lead to improved patient outcomes.
By addressing root cause, rather than symptoms, practitioners become oriented to identifying the complexity of disease. They may find one condition has many different causes and, likewise, one cause may result in many different conditions. As a result, Functional Medicine treatment targets the specific manifestations of disease in each individual.
If you’ve been working with a diagnosis from your traditional doctor but are seeing little to no improvement, this is also a good time to seek the advice of a Functional Medicine Practitioner – they can often help you find underlying reasons for your state of dis-ease that traditional medicine overlooks.
Want to know more about Functional Medicine? Please visit the link above to the IFM website. If you’re interested in locating a registered Functional Practitioner in your area, use this link to find one near you. NOTE: If you’re unable to find one that’s close to your area, bear in mind that many Functional Medicine Doctors often do consultations by phone, Skype or Zoom.
AIP Coaches
If the DIY approach isn’t for you, you’re feeling overwhelmed, confused or just need a bit more help on your AIP journey, it may be time to find a Certified AIP Coach.
What is an AIP Coach? An AIP Coach is a practitioner (anyone from a health coach like CHCs, NTPs, NTCs, and CNCs, to licensed practitioner like LAcs, NDs, RDs, DCs, FMDs and MDs) who has received extra training on top of their base certification. They’ve taken the time to learn the science behind the Autoimmune Protocol (from the experts in the field, Mickey Trescott, MSc, and Jaime Hartman, MEd, NBC-HWC) and have the knowledge and practical strategies to help people implement dietary and lifestyle changes to manage their health challenges, promote healing and optimal wellness.
An AIP Coach provides personalized support for all stages of your Autoimmune Protocol journey to wellness including; motivation, transitioning, troubleshooting, personalization, reintroductions and more.
Want to learn more? Reach out to a qualified coach today via the directory – and remember – you may not find one you can visit in person, but many handle consultations by phone, Skype and Zoom. Visit the AIP Coach directory and get the guidance you need.
A little further down on this page I also get into Autoimmune Programs, or group coaching options, so keep reading for that!
Autoimmune Movement
Exercise … there, I said it … the dreaded “E” word!
As you might have guessed, the most commonly avoided part of the autoimmune protocol is exercise, ’cause let’s face it, most of us are usually so exhausted we can barely get through a day, never mind trying to add an exercise regime!
COMING SOON!
I’m working on putting some recommendations together for those struggling with chronic illness – movement that won’t make you feel worse!
AIP Support Programs …
More About AIP Certified Coaches
For some people, trying to figure out AIP entirely on their own just isn’t the best fit — and that’s exactly why AIP Certified Coaches exist.
Who Are Certified Coaches?
The AIP Certified Coach program is the leading worldwide training program for health and wellness professionals who want to integrate the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) into their work with clients and patients.
Since 2017, more than 1,000 providers worldwide have completed the program. These practitioners come from a wide range of backgrounds, including health coaches, nutritionists, nurses, physical therapists, bodyworkers, naturopathic doctors, medical doctors, and researchers.
AIP Certified Coaches work with people every day to help personalize and implement AIP in ways that are realistic, sustainable, and aligned with real life — not just theory. As awareness grows around the complexity of autoimmune disease, so does the demand for this kind of informed, compassionate support.
The program is now fully updated and expanded to reflect the growing body of research on AIP across multiple autoimmune conditions. It’s led by Mickey Trescott, MSc, and Jaime Hartman, MEd, NBC-HWC, who bring deep clinical experience and a shared commitment to high-quality education for busy healthcare professionals.
In 2023, the curriculum was reimagined from the ground up, integrating the latest published research on AIP, insights gained from years of client work, and improved instructional design. Guest lectures from experienced AIP Certified Coaches now cover essential topics such as immunology, eating disorders, body inclusivity, occupational therapy, and culturally responsive care — ensuring the program remains rigorous, relevant, and inclusive.
Foundations Of Training:
AIP Certified Coaches are trained in:
- The science-based rationale for using dietary and lifestyle approaches to live well with autoimmune disease
- Integrating AIP appropriately within their professional scope, whether they’re health coaches, nutrition professionals, massage therapists, fitness instructors, or medical doctors
- Troubleshooting individual and complex cases, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach
- Understanding the realities of invisible illness, and meeting clients with greater awareness, validation, and compassion
Who Should Work With an AIP Certified Coach?
Autoimmune disease is complex. It often requires a nuanced approach that draws on multiple tools — not just diet alone. Collaboration and integration are increasingly recognized as essential parts of effective care.
While anyone navigating autoimmune disease may benefit from working with an AIP Certified Coach, this support can be especially valuable if you’ve tried a DIY Autoimmune Protocol and are still struggling to find symptom relief, clarity, or confidence in your next steps.
Visit the AIP Coach directory to find qualified guidance and support today.
Everything you need …
Food Sourcing
Sourcing AIP ingredients can be tricky, but I’ve got you covered!
Check out our shopping and brand recommendations.
AIP Convenience
Being on the AIP is not exactly what most would call convenient, but thankfully there are some wonderful options!
Coaching
Big lifestyle changes and health challenges can be overwhelming. Some find the process much easier with proper coaching and medical guidance.
Self-Care
Self care is about taking proper care of yourself, taking the time to do some of the activities that nurture you, and treating yourself as kindly as you treat others.
Motivation
Healing is a journey, not a destination. Along the way we all need some motivation.
Here I’ll share motivation, stories of AIP healing and tips for success.