46: Making the Elimination Phase Sustainable

well, the elimination phase specifically requires full adherence to work.

But the longer answer is really about understanding why and then figuring out how to actually make that sustainable for you.

So let's talk by briefly defining what full adherence means in the elimination phase context.

So if you're choosing to use the core AIP framework for your elimination phase, that means that for at least 30 days, you'll be avoiding all grains, pseudograins, dairy, eggs, nuts and seeds, legumes, nightshades, and processed food additives.

And if you are choosing to use the modified AIP framework for your elimination phase, you have a slightly shorter list of foods to avoid, but it is just as important for you to avoid those foods entirely for at least 30 days.

I know that some people describe the modified AIP elimination phase as a air quotes here, less strict version of the AIP.

But I try to not use that phrasing because actually it is equally important that you are strict with yourself about being 100% compliant during that period of time, regardless of which framework you use.

The only difference is that with modified AIP, you have more foods available to you as options during the elimination phase than you would if you're using core AIP, which for many people does make it easier to maintain adherence.

Listeners who want to know more information about the differences between modified and core AIP elimination phase lists may want to listen to episode one, which is the ABCs of AIP, and episode six, which was our first episode devoted to answering common questions about AIP.

And of course, I'll put links to both of those episodes in the show notes.

Now, I want to call attention to the fact that that you might notice the importance we're placing on the elimination phase.

We are not talking about needing to eat a very strict diet for the rest of your life.

After you've achieved some degree of symptom improvement and you've progressed through the reintroduction process, you will probably have more flexibility with how you eat on a day-to-day basis, depending upon the current state of your overall health and how much resilience you can build up.

But for an elimination and reintroduction protocol to actually give you useful information, you do need to hold yourself to a strict standard of compliance for the necessary period of time.

Yes,

and of course, we're always talking about how AIP is more than just the food, right? Other factors like sleep, stress, movement, connection with others and with natures are also part of the protocol.

And you can employ a little bit more flexibility here, right? For example, If you have one late night, you occasionally skip your meditation practice or your regular workout, or there's bad weather, a busy schedule, something that keeps you from getting outside.

All of that is okay.

You don't need to do all of the lifestyle pillars every day, all the time to experience the benefits from doing it some of the time, right? But again, during the period of time when you are in the elimination phase of the dietary portion of the protocol, you do need to do the diet every single day.

Absolutely.

And before we move on, I think it's important to acknowledge that having the weekend off instinct is completely understandable, right? It's definitely not a character flaw.

I think we all feel like that, right?

Yeah, absolutely.

So now let's talk about why consistency actually matters physiologically, like the actual physical reason it's important that your diet during the elimination phase is consistent, right? Marie-Noelle, can you explain?

Yes.