3 Key AIP Hacks for Healthy, Hassle-Free Holidays

3 Key AIP Hacks for Healthy, Hassle-Free Holidays

The holidays are here, and so are the endless food temptations! If you're sticking to a Paleo or Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) diet, navigating holiday feasts can feel like walking through a minefield of gluten-filled pies and dairy-laden casseroles. But fear not—being a holiday hero doesn’t require sacrificing holiday joy or battling meal prep stress. Here are the tricks I’ve used over the last decade to keep it paleo, stress-free, and still enjoy those festive vibes!

Know Your Non-Negotiables and Where Your Wiggle Room Lies

Whether dining out or attending holiday parties, knowing what you can handle is key. That cheesy casserole and pumpkin pie might sound tempting, but how will you feel later? Compare the sluggishness and bloating from indulgences with the energy from a balanced AIP meal!

Think about dietary triggers that don't agree with you—gluten and dairy are often "non-negotiable" for many with autoimmune conditions (1-4). Consider these as foods that should be placed on Santa’s naughty list! Some AIP followers may tolerate small portions of foods like nuts or nightshades, though these aren't typically included on the AIP diet and are reintroduced later. 

For example, some may feel warm and fuzzy after eating chestnuts roasted on the open fire, whereas the cheese and cracker spread would “burn” them. Others might handle a glass of red wine but not pumpkin cheesecake. Yet others might be fine with a tomato-based quinoa salad but not cheesy pasta.  Working with a healthcare practitioner can help you make these decisions more strategically. 

If you have Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), be cautious of nightshades like tomatoes and peppers, which can trigger inflammatory reactions. While more research is underway, my clinical experience and observations show that many RA patients experience symptom reduction by eliminating nightshades (5). 

Preparation: Your Secret Ingredient for Holiday Success!

Do you have the option to bring a dish to the party? Family and friends will likely appreciate something that’s both delicious and healthy! I personally whip up my favorite holiday recipes, like my S-CRUMB-TIOUS STUFFING (recipe below), and also order from Paleo On The Go to make my taste buds happy and cut down on cooking time.

If you’re going to a restaurant, stick to the protein and veggies and avoid the breads, butters, croutons, cheese toppings and sugar-filled drinks. Double check with the server that the dish is gluten and dairy free. 

Outsource to the Experts at Paleo on the Go (POTG)

You don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to have an amazing holiday meal. You can skip the shopping, cooking, and stress thanks to POTG’s fantastic AIP Thanksgiving bundle! My family and I personally tested it last year and loved it so much that we will repeat again this year! It’s guilt-free, flavorful, and so much easier than cooking a turkey from scratch! 🙌

 

Some standout holiday dishes you can enjoy without the prep include:

• Broccoli Casserole: This AIP-friendly take on a classic dish is creamy, savory, and packs a nutritious punch with broccoli, coconut milk, and gluten-free pork panko crumbs.  
• Cranberry Orange Relish: Unlike the canned stuff, this relish is packed with antioxidants, fiber, and a pop of citrus. It’s a refreshing and immune-boosting side dish that pairs perfectly with any turkey feast. 🍊
• Turkey & Gravy: Save time and avoid the inflammatory ingredients found in many traditional turkey preparations. The turkey at POTG is ethically sourced, and paired with in-house organic gravy made with wholesome ingredients like olive oil, turkey stock, and arrowroot starch, you can enjoy a savory, juicy meal without the butter or additives that typically flare up sensitivities.

S-CRUMB-TIOUS STUFFING

 

Ingredients

• 1.5 tablespoons coconut or avocado oil
• 1 Large onion, diced
• 2 cups celery, diced
• 1 cup mushrooms, diced
• 1 medium head of cauliflower, chopped
• 1 apple, chopped
• ¼ cup dates, chopped
• ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 cup tigernut flour
• 1 cup cassava flour
• ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce
• 3 Tbsp gelatin 
• ⅓ cup water

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350º F.
2. Heat ½ Tbsp oil each in 2 large skillets over medium/high heat. 
3. Add onion, celery, apple, mushrooms, cauliflower, dates, parsley, salt, and ginger. 
4. Sauté until very soft, about 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Remove from heat and add to a large mixing bowl.
6. In a separate smaller mixing bowl, whisk together the gelatin, unsweetened apple sauce and water. 
7. To the large mixing bowl with stir fried veggies: Stir in tigernut flour, cassava flour and gelatin, applesauce, water mixture.
8. Transfer to a large glass baking dish.  
9. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until browned on top.

References: 

1. Wentz I. Lifestyle interventions for Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Poster presented at: International Conference on Thyroid Disorders and Treatment; February 29–March 01, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA. Journal of Thyroid Disorders & Therapy. Available from: https://www.longdom.org/proceedings/lifestyle-interventions-for-hashimotos-thyroiditis-6047.html
2. Lerner A, Freire de Carvalho J, Kotrova A, Shoenfeld Y. Gluten-free diet can ameliorate the symptoms of non-celiac autoimmune diseases. Nutr Rev. 2022;80(3):525-543. doi:10.1093/nutrit/nuab039
3. Wasmuth HE, Kolb H. Cow's milk and immune-mediated diabetes. Proc Nutr Soc. 2000;59(4):573-579. doi:10.1017/s0029665100000811
4. Vojdani A. A Potential Link between Environmental Triggers and Autoimmunity. Autoimmune Dis. 2014;2014:437231. doi:10.1155/2014/437231
5. Golmohammadi A, Hosseinikia M, Sadeghi MK, Golampur D, Hosseinzadeh Z, Panahande SB. The evaluation of nightshade elimination diet (NED) on inflammatory and rheumatologic markers of rheumatoid arthritis patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2024;25(1):531. Published 2024 Aug 10. doi:10.1186/s13063-024-08372-7