Autoimmune Ailments: Suggested Diet Plan

This was given to me by a family nutritionist. The diet plan was created for adults so I modified it a bit to make it more kid-friendly (come on...how many kids are going to eat salmon or sardines?!?!). Also, based upon my research, there were a few items that were included in the diet plan that are on the "No No List" for inflammation. Keep in mind, this is just a suggested meal plan.

Autoimmune Ailments
(Colitis, Crohn’s Disease, Type I Diabetes during onset, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Lupus, Myasthenia Gravis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Scleroderma, Sjogren’s syndrome)

breakfast

• 2-3 omega-3 eggs any style, grilled sweet potato or sweet potato pancakes with maple syrup, strawberry-kiwi iced herbal tea
• Reheated leftover chicken or turkey or other meat, 1 fruit
• Smoked or leftover salmon, sweet potatoes with rosemary, green tea
• 3-4 Tbsp. freshly ground almonds with other nuts and seeds (flaxseeds, pumpkin seeds, dried coconut) and 1 tablespoon maple syrup in food processor, herb tea iced/warm
• Organic almond butter (Maranatha) on a celery stick

lunch and dinner

• Buffalo, turkey burger or lean hamburger with lettuce, tomato and cole slaw. Ketchup, mustard and pickle relish may be used if desired
• Beef stew (Beef, assorted vegetables, wheat-free soup stock, herbs and spices)
• Broiled red snapper with Shiitake mushrooms, steamed broccoli, green salad
• 5-8 ounces broiled salmon, tomato sauce w/oregano, thyme, garlic, grilled vegetables, roasted parsnips, Caesar salad
• 1 free range chicken breast with rosemary, roasted onions or garlic, spinach salad.
• Fillet mignon, baked/grilled sweet potatoes with rosemary and olive oil, steamed asparagus, salad with flaxseed dressing

snacks

• Handful of raw assorted nuts, roasted garlic or almond butter on celery, organic fresh or dried fruit of any kind, Cascadian farm organic Sorbet or fruit pops

beverages

• 8 oz. Fresh mixed vegetable juice 1-2x per day
• Green drinks: Green Magma, Kyogreen, or Green Kamut: 1 tsp. 1-3x day in water
• Herbal Teas: Licorice, Slippery Elm, Chamomile, Ginger
• Spinach Smoothies

eliminate grains
Eliminate wheat and the other three gluten containing grains: oats, barley, and rye. Wheat is found in bread, breadsticks, rolls, cereals, pasta, crackers, cakes, cookies, and most cereals. Avoiding all grains (including rice, millet, amaranth, etc.) for three to six months is recommended if possible as well. Then, after 3-6 months, reintroduce rice and wild rice, millet and other non-glutinous grains to see if the patient can tolerate them.

eliminate dairy products
This includes milk, butter, kefir, cheese, and even soy cheese products containing the milk protein casein. Yogurt may be tolerated in small amounts because the lactic acid in the yogurt denatures the proteins that may be allergenic in other dairy products. Whey protein may be tolerated, as it does not contain casein.

also avoid
Beans, lentils, yeasted foods, blue cheese, tempeh, tofu, soy protein isolate (these soy products contain alpha-gliadin), peanuts, citrus fruits, sugar, alcohol, caffeine, hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils, and safflower, sunflower and corn oils

suggestions and goals
The goal is to remove all foods that may be triggering the body to attack its own tissues. Researchers believe that one of the possible causes of autoimmune ailments is certain foods that are new to humanity (grain products, dairy products, lentils and beans, and yeasted foods) which have only appeared in the past 40,000 years. Meats, nuts, vegetables and fruits have been eaten for over 2 million years. Therefore, returning to a diet that is made of meat, nuts, and produce may remove one of the main offending causes behind autoimmune problems. It can take 3-6 months to assess whether this program is effective.

If possible, get a moderate amount of exercise, 20 minutes of sunshine per day, a good nights sleep. Take epsom salt baths 1-2 times per week. Add 4 cups of epsom salts to a warm bath and stay in for 10-15 minutes.

supplements (these are adult dosages...not for kids!!)

• Acidophilus and Bifidobacteria// 1-3 teaspoons of powder (Natren)
• EPA/DHA// 1,000-10,000 mg (1-10 Tbsp. Super Max EPA)
  (approach doses above 5 g/day with close supervision)
• Glutamine// 1-5 grams
• GLA 240// 1-3 capsules
• Flaxseed Oil// 1-3 tablespoons
• Vitamin C// 1-3,000 mg
• Vitamin E// 400 IUs
• Selenium// 200-400 mcg
• N-Acetyl-Glucosamine (NAG)// 300-900 mg
• Bovine cartilage// 9 grams/Twelve 750 mg capsules/day (Vita Carte)
  (use with caution—may overstimulate immune system in some)
• Magnesium// 400-800 mg
• Siberian Ginseng Extract// 50-200 mg of powdered extract or 1-2ml of liquid
• Olive leaf extract// 1-3 capsules per day

rheumatoid arthritis:
Curcuminoids// 400-1,000
Quercetin// 300-900 mg

Those with rheumatoid arthritis should read "The New Arthritis Breakthrough" by Henry Scammell. Highly recommended reading: The Tao of Immunity by Dr. Mark Lappé. Also, "The Maker's Diet" and "Patient Heal Thyself" by Jordan S. Rubin