15 AIP Treat Recipes

Sugar is a hot-button topic on just about any diet, but it seems particularly contentious in the Paleo community. Yes, it’s not really a necessary part of the human diet–at least not in highly-processed, highly-concentrated forms. But glucose is an important fuel source for our cells and cutting it out entirely (as in a ketogenic diet) has been shown to have pretty detrimental effects. The old adage “everything in moderation” seems to apply here… and on the autoimmune protocol, we stick to small amounts of the most nutrient-packed sugars available. By and large, that’s fruit, which comes packed with tons of vitamins and fiber in addition to the natural sugar (tart fruits, of course, have less). But there can also be room for small amounts of honey and other sweeteners, not just in your tea or salad dressings but in whole-foods treats for special occasions.

Because let’s face it: A lot of us crack when we have to dramatically restrict our diets. It’s stressful, it’s hard work, it’s an immense divergence from the life we’re used to. Let’s not add to the struggle if we don’t have to. Unless you have diabetes, SIBO, or some other condition where your doctor has told you not to eat sweets, you can probably tolerate a little treat every now and then. More than that, if you’ve been following the AIP, you’ve earned it!

The bulk of the AIP treat recipes I indulge in are fruit-based, from sorbets and ice creams to fruit salads and puddings. But with a little creativity, you can make some pretty incredible things! There are lots of ways to tide yourself over ’til your next craving.