
The AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet is a diet designed to reduce inflammation, pain, fatigue, and other symptoms of autoimmune diseases. It involves eliminating foods that are known to cause inflammatory issues, such as grains, legumes, dairy, nuts, seeds, nightshade vegetables, and eggs. The diet is divided into two phases: the elimination phase and the reintroduction phase. During the elimination phase, eggs are typically avoided because they are a common allergen and can cause issues for people with autoimmune diseases. However, eggs are also an important source of vitamins and protein and have some anti-inflammatory properties. In the reintroduction phase, eggs can be gradually added back into the diet to determine if they cause any symptoms. Some people may be able to tolerate egg yolks but not egg whites, while others may need to avoid eggs altogether.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are eggs ok on an AIP diet? | Eggs are on the list of foods to eliminate in the first phase of the AIP diet because they are a common allergen. However, eggs can be reintroduced in the later phases of the diet to see if they are a source of symptoms. |
| Why are eggs eliminated in the first phase? | The enzyme, or protein, in egg whites called lysozyme can cross the gut barrier, carrying with it other proteins that the body will respond to as foreign. Individuals with an autoimmune disease are more sensitive and will have a larger inflammatory response to these foreign proteins attached to lysozymes. |
| Are there any benefits to eating eggs? | Eggs are an important source of vitamins and protein and have been shown to help alleviate inflammation in folks with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. |
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What You'll Learn
- Eggs are eliminated in the first phase of the AIP diet
- Egg whites are a common issue for those with autoimmune diseases
- Egg yolks are better tolerated when reintroducing foods
- Eggs are a staple for paleo enthusiasts, but not for those on the AIP diet
- AIP is more restrictive than the paleo diet, specifically for those with autoimmune issues

Eggs are eliminated in the first phase of the AIP diet
The AIP diet, or Autoimmune Protocol diet, is a diet regimen aimed at reducing symptoms of autoimmune diseases, such as inflammation, pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, and brain fog. It is designed to help identify trigger foods that may irritate the gut and cause an autoimmune response. The AIP diet consists of two main phases: the elimination phase and the reintroduction phase.
During the first phase, the elimination phase, certain foods and additives are omitted from the diet that are commonly known to cause inflammatory issues. This includes grains, legumes, dairy, nuts, seeds, nightshade vegetables, and eggs. Eggs are eliminated in the first phase of the AIP diet because they are a common allergen. The enzyme, or protein, in egg whites called lysozyme can cross the gut barrier, carrying with it other proteins that the body will respond to as foreign. Individuals with an autoimmune disease will have a larger inflammatory response to these foreign proteins attached to lysozymes.
While eggs are a common allergen, they are also an important source of vitamins and protein and have been shown to help alleviate inflammation in some individuals with conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis. Whether or not eggs need to be eliminated from the diet depends on individual health circumstances. During the reintroduction phase, eggs can be added back into the diet to see if they cause any symptoms. Some individuals may find that they can tolerate egg yolks but not egg whites, while others may need to eliminate eggs altogether.
The AIP diet is a phased approach, with the eventual reintroduction of foods after symptoms improve. It is more restrictive than other diets like the Paleo diet and is specifically designed for therapeutic benefits for individuals with autoimmune diseases.
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Egg whites are a common issue for those with autoimmune diseases
The AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet is a regimen that seeks to reduce the symptoms of autoimmune diseases, such as inflammation and pain. The AIP diet consists of two main phases. The first phase is an elimination phase that involves the removal of foods believed to cause gut inflammation, imbalances in gut bacteria, or an immune response. This includes eggs.
Eggs are one of the most allergenic foods, affecting approximately 2-3% of the population. While eggs are a healthy addition to the diet for most people, they may cause issues for those with autoimmune diseases, especially egg whites. The enzyme or protein in egg whites, called lysozyme, can cross the gut barrier, carrying with it other proteins that the body will respond to as foreign. Individuals with autoimmune diseases are more sensitive and will have a larger inflammatory response to these foreign proteins attached to lysozymes. In addition, egg whites have a high incidence of allergy-related symptoms.
Egg whites can permeate the gut lining and cause the immune system to react. This is due to the presence of proteolytic enzymes or proteases, which can cleave proteins into shorter chains of amino acids, rendering them inactive. While this is beneficial for protecting the yolk against microbial attack, it can cause issues for those with autoimmune diseases. The specific protease in egg whites that can cause concern is lysozyme, which is very good at cleaving proteins in the cell membranes of certain bacteria. Lysozyme is also resistant to heat and stable in very acidic environments, remaining active even after cooking eggs and during digestion.
Whether or not eggs should be completely eliminated from the diet depends on individual health and circumstances. Some people with autoimmune diseases may be able to tolerate egg yolks, as they are not as allergenic as egg whites. Working with a certified nutritionist and registered dietitian can help provide guidance during the elimination phase of the diet and aid in the strategic reintroduction of eggs and other foods.
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Egg yolks are better tolerated when reintroducing foods
The AIP diet, or Autoimmune Protocol diet, is a diet regimen aimed at reducing symptoms of autoimmune diseases, such as inflammation, joint pain, fatigue, abdominal pain, and brain fog. It is a phased approach, with an initial elimination phase, followed by the reintroduction of foods. The diet is similar to the paleo diet, but more restrictive, eliminating additional food groups that could be problematic for those with autoimmune issues.
During the first phase, the elimination phase, certain foods and additives are omitted from the diet that are known to cause inflammatory issues. This includes grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, nightshade vegetables, nuts, seeds, processed foods, refined sugar, alcohol, coffee, and certain medications. The elimination phase can last from four to six weeks, or up to a few months, and is meant to allow the immune system and gut intestinal barrier to return to a less inflamed state.
In the reintroduction phase, foods are added back into the diet one by one to see if they are a source of symptoms. This helps identify an individual's unique food sensitivities. While whole eggs are eliminated in the first phase, some people find they can tolerate egg yolks during the reintroduction phase and only need to continue avoiding egg whites. Egg yolks are not as allergenic, and many people who continue to avoid egg whites after completing the AIP diet can tolerate yolks.
Whether or not eggs should be completely eliminated from the diet depends on individual circumstances and overall health. Eggs are a common allergen and can cause issues for those with autoimmune diseases, especially egg whites. The enzyme or protein in egg whites, called lysozyme, can cross the gut barrier and carry other proteins that the body may respond to as foreign, triggering a larger inflammatory response in individuals with autoimmune diseases.
Therefore, egg yolks are generally better tolerated when reintroducing foods into the diet after the initial elimination phase of the AIP diet. Working with a certified nutritionist or registered dietitian can help provide guidance during the reintroduction phase and help determine which foods can be tolerated.
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Eggs are a staple for paleo enthusiasts, but not for those on the AIP diet
Eggs are on the list of foods to be eliminated in the first phase of the AIP diet because they are a common allergen. Specifically, the enzyme or protein in egg whites, called lysozyme, can cross the gut barrier and cause an inflammatory response in individuals with autoimmune diseases. This is because lysozyme has the ability to form strong complexes with other proteins, which can then be identified by the body as foreign.
However, eggs are also an important source of vitamins and protein, and they have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, whether or not eggs should be completely eliminated from the diet depends on individual health circumstances. During the reintroduction phase of the AIP diet, eggs can be gradually added back in to see if they cause any symptoms. Some people find that they can tolerate egg yolks but not egg whites, while others may need to eliminate eggs altogether.
The AIP diet is more restrictive than the paleo diet and specifically targets the management of inflammation, which is common in autoimmune conditions. While the paleo diet focuses on overall health and well-being, the AIP diet is designed to identify and eliminate trigger foods that may cause issues for those with autoimmune diseases.
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AIP is more restrictive than the paleo diet, specifically for those with autoimmune issues
The AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet is an elimination diet designed to help reduce inflammation and other symptoms caused by autoimmune disorders. It involves removing foods and medications believed to cause gut inflammation, imbalances in gut bacteria, or an immune response. The AIP diet is considered more restrictive than the paleo diet, especially for those with autoimmune issues.
The paleo diet focuses on whole, nutrient-dense foods and eliminates processed foods, grains, legumes, dairy, and, in most cases, nuts and seeds. AIP takes this a step further by also restricting eggs, nightshades, and certain spices, which may trigger an immune response in those with autoimmunity. The AIP diet is specifically designed for therapeutic benefits for individuals with autoimmune diseases.
The AIP diet consists of two main phases: elimination and reintroduction. During the elimination phase, people on the AIP diet avoid grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, nightshades, nuts, seeds, alcohol, additives, refined sugars, coffee, tea, oils, and certain medications. They focus on consuming fresh, nutrient-dense, unprocessed or minimally processed foods, including vegetables, fruits, and meats, especially grass-fed or pasture-raised options.
The reintroduction phase involves gradually reintroducing eliminated food groups and assessing their reaction. If a reaction occurs, these foods are eliminated again, and tolerance is retested later. This phase helps create a personalized diet that uncovers specific dietary triggers and promotes healing in the long term.
The AIP diet is considered very restrictive and potentially challenging to follow, especially in the elimination phase, which can make social eating difficult and increase the risk of social isolation. It is not recommended for those at risk of eating disorders or with other diet-related medical conditions. It is always best to seek guidance from a qualified health professional to ensure nutrient needs are met during all phases of the AIP diet.
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Frequently asked questions
Eggs are a common allergen and are eliminated in the first phase of the AIP diet. However, in the reintroduction phase, you can add eggs back into your diet to see if they’re a source of symptoms for you.
The protein in egg whites, called lysozyme, can cross the gut barrier and carry other proteins that the body will respond to as foreign. Individuals with an autoimmune disease will have a larger inflammatory response to these foreign proteins.
Eggs bind, leaven, and provide moisture in recipes. While commercial egg replacers are popular, they often contain guar gum and corn or potato starch, which are not AIP-friendly. Some AIP-friendly alternatives include apple sauce, avocado, or pumpkin puree.











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