AIP Diet Explained: What It Is, How It Works + Where to Start (w/ Mickey Trescott)

This week on Calling in Sick, I’m sitting down with Mickey Trescott (@mickeytrescott), one of the original voices behind the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), to talk about what AIP actually is, who it’s for, and how to approach food when you’re living with chronic illness without spiraling into overwhelm. Mickey shares the story of her own autoimmune diagnosis journey, how changing the way she ate became one of the first tools that actually helped her feel better, and how that experience eventually led her to help build what became the AIP community. We also get into the evolution of AIP itself, why it’s not meant to be a forever diet, how to think about elimination and reintroductions in a realistic way, and the foods and habits that can make eating feel more supportive instead of more stressful. We’re diving into: ⭐ What AIP actually is: Mickey breaks down the origins of the Autoimmune Protocol, how it’s changed over time, and why she sees it as a tool, not a punishment 🥣 Where to start without getting overwhelmed: We talk symptom tracking, confidence assessments, elimination phases, and how to actually prep for AIP in a way that works in real life 🔥 Anti-inflammatory foods, myths & gray areas: From coffee and eggs to oats, nightshades, alcohol, gluten-free snacks and tiramisu, Mickey rapid-fires through what may or may not work for autoimmune bodies 🥬 How to eat for real life with chronic illness: Mickey shares her “3-meal safety net” framework for low, medium and high-capacity days, plus what to do when you’re flaring and have zero energy to cook If food has ever felt confusing, restrictive, or emotionally loaded in the context of chronic illness, this episode is such a grounding reminder that you do not need to do everything perfectly. You just need information, a little structure, and a way of eating that supports your body. xx, Alex 💬 Comment: Mickey talked about learning your personal food triggers instead of chasing one perfect diet. Have you ever had a food or eating habit make a bigger difference in your symptoms than you expected? Timestamps: 00:00:00 Welcome Back to Calling in Sick 00:02:02 Alex’s Picks of the Week: Kroma & Brodo Bone Broth 00:03:55 Mickey Trescott on AIP: What the Autoimmune Protocol Really Is 00:05:09 Mickey Trescott’s Autoimmune Diagnosis Story 00:11:05 From Chronic Illness to Cooking, Nutrition & AIP 00:13:20 Mickey’s First Food & Nutrition “Aha” Moment 00:15:38 Starting AIP and Writing the First Autoimmune Protocol Cookbook 00:20:00 Where to Start with AIP: Elimination, Tracking & Prep 00:26:30 Rapid Fire: Are These Foods Actually Anti-Inflammatory? 00:35:20 Nutrient Density: What Makes Food Support Autoimmune Health? 00:38:26 Mickey Trescott’s Top 3 Most Nutrient-Dense Foods 00:40:58 How Long Should You Stay on AIP? 00:43:28 Symptom Tracking Apps, Wearables & Food Logs 00:44:42 How to Reintroduce Foods After AIP Elimination 00:47:03 The Biggest Misconception About AIP 00:51:33 The 3-Meal Safety Net for Flare Days & Low-Energy Cooking 01:00:35 What to Eat During a Flare When You Have No Energy 01:05:15 One Brain Cell Show: Palm Royale & Love Story 01:05:48 Where to Find Mickey Trescott + Her New AIP Book 01:07:00 Thank you for listening! ---------------------------------------------------------------- Stay connected and follow us on socials for more! • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/callinginsickpod/ • TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@callinginsickpod • Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558234607568 • Substack - https://substack.com/@callinginsickpod? Connect with our guest, Mickey Trescott! • Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mickeytrescott • Pre-order The New Autoimmune Protocol - https://theautoimmuneprotocol.com/preorder/ ---------------------------------------------------------------- Powered by: Just Media House -- https://www.justmediahouse.com/ Produced by: Alexandra Wildeson — https://www.instagram.com/alexandrawildeson/ Alex’s Picks of the Week: This week’s picks are two bone broths I genuinely love. One is perfect for on the go, one is my at-home favorite, and both have become staples in my routine!! ✨Kroma — https://go.shopmy.us/p-51567197 ALEXANDRA20 for 20% off!! ✨Brodo — https://amzn.to/4dWnLFZ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices