Kate Jay - The Autoimmune Protocol Reintroduction Cookbook: Nourishing Recipes for Every Stage of Your Reintroduction Protocol--Includes Recipes for The 4 Stages of AIP!

Nourishing Recipes for Every
Stage of Your Healing Journey

for sam and jemima. i love you even more than vegetables!

I HAD ALREADY BEEN living with the autoimmune illness, lichen planus, for eight years when a debilitating flare spurred me to research better ways of managing my condition. I was tired of feeling powerless and not knowing how I was going to feel from one day to the next. My research led me to the Paleo diet, the starting point from which I uncovered a wealth of scientific research explaining how certain foods can be highly inflammatory and have the potential to set off a whole cascade of autoimmune reactions while other foods are a powerful ally in healing an overreactive immune system. I used my expertise as a medical researcher to compile scientific evidence with the goal of maximizing the therapeutic potential of diet and founded the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP).

As I began to heal, I decided to create an outlet where I could share my research. In 2011, my blog ThePaleoMom.com was born. Never did I imagine that the Autoimmune Protocol would develop into what it has become today. Im proud and delighted to see it gain traction as a recognized means to remove stress and inflammation, regulate the immune system, balance hormones, reverse chronic symptoms, and heal the gut.

What also gives me immense pride is the number of bloggers and health practitioners who not only support my work but are helping thousands of people fight their own autoimmune battles by creating resources and sharing their own personal stories. One such advocate is Kate Jay, who has been an asset to this community since 2014, both for her creative, nutrient-rich recipes and her work as a Functional Nutritional Therapy Practitioner and AIP Certified Coach.

Such is the strength of this movement that you will find several books offering recipes compliant with the elimination phase of the Autoimmune Protocol. However, The Autoimmune Protocol Reintroduction Cookbook is the first book devoted to the second phasethe reintroduction process. This book has been needed for some time now, and I know it will be appreciated by so many. Im thrilled that Kate brought it to the community.

The essential self-discovery process of reintroductions is key to identifying personal autoimmune triggers, dietary expansion, and homing in on an individualized optimal diet for lifelong health. Yet, the subject of reintroductions is one that many approach with a degree of anxiety or that they may be unwilling to approach it at all. Having been through the protocol herself, Kate understands the overwhelm that can happen, and she uses her nutritional and AIP coaching experience to gently guide the reader along the journey. She prepares the reader by reinforcing continued intake of nutrient-dense foods. She then offers suggestions for achieving improved digestive health, as well as developing a mindset of success rather than failure. She gives sound advice on when and how to approach each of the reintroduction stages for the best possible chance of success. Preparation is key, and Kate ensures that the reader is well equipped and encouraged to move forward when the time is right. Her friendly, enthusiastic approach will ensure the reader feels understood and supported, even congratulated throughout the journey.

The microorganisms in our guts help to maintain the delicate balance required by our immune systems, keeping the various populations of immune cells in check and modulating their activity. In fact, gut dysbiosis (an unhealthy gut microbiome) is present in every autoimmune disease in which its presence has been investigated. Maintaining a healthy balance in the immune system is therefore reliant on having a healthy gut microbiome. My most recent research has found that some non-Paleo foodssuch as oats, split peas, lentils, chickpeas, and riceare of huge benefit to the gut microbiome and can certainly be included as an adjunct to a Paleo diet. I have added these foods into my own diet and encourage my readers to do the same, following the recommended reintroduction procedure, of course. Youll find some delicious recipes using these ingredients in the later chapters of this book.

Its wonderful to see that nearly all the recipes in this guide can be modified to suit those who are coconut-free, need to incorporate low FODMAPs, or have yet to leave the elimination phase. This book will appeal to you and your friends and family, whether on an elimination diet or not. In fact, dont even mention it because they wont know the difference anywaythe recipes are that good!

A large part of succeeding on the Autoimmune Protocol is the ability to find joy in life, and that includes taking into account the foods we eat. It can be hard to make simple yet delicious food when we are dealing with health challenges. But believe me, you are going to love the recipes in this book. With Kates stunning photography, each one is a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. If you find joy from the comfort of treats, prepare to indulge in the most delicious cakes, cookies, and desserts, all created to optimize nutrients without causing blood sugar spikes and ruining your hard work.

In short, Kate is a talented chef whose book is the gift the autoimmune community has been waiting for. You are in good hands, so prepare to be reunited with your favorite foods in a safe, well thought out, highly flavorful and healing way.

Dr. Sarah Ballantyne, Ph.D.

WHEN I WAS SMALL, my grandparents came to live with us. My grandmother was severely disabled with an autoimmune disease called rheumatoid arthritis, which manifests in the joints. She couldnt do a single thing for herself, so all her needs were taken care of by my grandfather and my parents. In constant pain, she was housebound and miserable. Several decades later I clearly remember her calling out to the Lord to take her.

My brother was diagnosed with terminal cancer in 2008 and given five weeks to live. Those weeks were by far the worst of my life. Seeing a fit, strong man reduced to a helpless shell within weeks and being told there was nothing we could doit was devastating. As predicted, five weeks later he died. Cancer is the cruelest of diseases; the wreckage left behind was enormous. Theres no doubt that chronic stress takes a destructive toll. Within a year my mother had a heart attack resulting in bypass surgery. Looking back, I now recognize my father showing very early signs of the Alzheimers disease that he has fully succumbed to.

I developed signs and symptoms of dysfunction before Id even left the hospice that final time. Id already been living with hypothyroidism since 1997; now joint pain, crippling anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and frequent occurrences of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) became a way of life for me for the next six years. In 2014 I noticed symmetrical swelling in my thumb and wrist joints, and pain in my hips, ankles, and feet. My joints were stiff, red, and warm to the touch, and, sure enough, I had elevated markers for rheumatoid arthritis.