Autoimmune & Gut Health Diet: Complete Guide
Last updated: 20 February 2026
An autoimmune diet or gut-health diet is an eating pattern used by some people to try to reduce inflammation or gut symptoms. There is no single best diet for autoimmune disease–choices depend on your condition and response. Common approaches include the AIP diet (Autoimmune Protocol), an elimination diet (often with an elimination diet meal plan), a Crohn's disease diet or Crohn's diet for inflammatory bowel disease, the candida diet (with a candida diet food list and candida diet recipes), a leaky gut diet, the GAPS diet, the specific carbohydrate diet, a low histamine diet, and sometimes an elemental diet under medical supervision. These diets are often restrictive and should be used only with your doctor or a dietitian. This guide explains what they are, when they might be used, and what to consider.
Disclaimer: This page is for education only and does not replace advice from your doctor or dietitian. Autoimmune and gut conditions need proper diagnosis and care. Do not start a restrictive diet (AIP, elimination, candida, Crohn's diet, etc.) without medical guidance. Some diets can cause nutrient gaps or interact with treatment.
Below you will find an overview of autoimmune diet and gut health diets: AIP diet, elimination diet, elimination diet meal plan, Crohn's disease diet / Crohn's diet, candida diet, candida diet food list, candida diet recipes, leaky gut diet, GAPS diet, specific carbohydrate diet, low histamine diet, elemental diet, and the idea of a best diet for autoimmune disease. Always work with your healthcare team. You can use our calorie calculator and TDEE calculator with their guidance if you have a weight or calorie goal.
What are autoimmune and gut health diets?
These are eating patterns aimed at reducing symptoms or inflammation in autoimmune or gut conditions. They are not cures–they may help some people when used correctly and under supervision.
- Autoimmune diet / AIP diet: The AIP diet (Autoimmune Protocol) is a strict elimination diet based on paleo: you remove grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, nuts, seeds, nightshades (e.g. tomatoes, peppers), and other foods, then reintroduce them to identify triggers. Some people with autoimmune conditions try it as a best diet for autoimmune disease option. Evidence is limited; it is very restrictive and should be done with a dietitian.
- Elimination diet: An elimination diet removes specific foods (e.g. dairy, gluten) for a few weeks, then reintroduces them to see if symptoms return. An elimination diet meal plan is usually designed with a professional. It is a tool, not a long-term way of eating.
- Crohn's disease diet / Crohn's diet: A Crohn's diet or Crohn's disease diet is tailored to Crohn’s (a type of IBD). During flares, low residue or low fibre is often advised; during remission, a more varied diet may be possible. Some people use an elemental diet (liquid formula that gives minimal work to the gut) during severe flares–under a gastroenterologist. There is no one-size-fits-all Crohn's diet.
- Candida diet: The candida diet restricts sugar, refined carbs, and sometimes other foods to reduce yeast. A candida diet food list and candida diet recipes avoid sugar, white flour, and alcohol. Evidence that it treats Candida overgrowth is limited; it is not a standard medical treatment. Talk to your doctor first.
- Leaky gut diet: A leaky gut diet typically avoids alcohol and highly processed foods and emphasises whole foods. The idea that “leaky gut” causes many diseases is debated; there is no single proven diet for it. If you have gut symptoms, get a proper diagnosis.
- GAPS diet: The GAPS diet (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) is a multi-stage elimination and reintroduction plan. It is very restrictive. Evidence is limited; it should only be considered with a doctor or dietitian.
- Specific carbohydrate diet (SCD): The specific carbohydrate diet restricts certain carbs and is used by some people with IBD. It should be supervised by a gastroenterologist or dietitian.
- Low histamine diet: A low histamine diet limits high-histamine foods (e.g. aged cheese, fermented foods, some fish) for people with suspected histamine intolerance. It is usually done with a dietitian to avoid unnecessary restriction.
- Elemental diet: An elemental diet uses a liquid formula with predigested nutrients, giving the gut minimal work. It is used in medical settings (e.g. IBD flares) under a doctor–not a home experiment.
How these diets are used
An autoimmune diet or AIP diet is typically followed for a few weeks to months of elimination, then reintroduction. An elimination diet and elimination diet meal plan follow a similar logic: remove, then reintroduce. A Crohn's disease diet or Crohn's diet is adjusted with disease activity (flare vs remission). The candida diet, leaky gut diet, GAPS diet, and specific carbohydrate diet have their own rules and phases. None of these should replace medical treatment. There is no proven best diet for autoimmune disease that fits everyone–work with your doctor or dietitian to find what helps you.
What these diets typically involve (overview)
This table summarises typical “eat” and “avoid” patterns. Actual lists vary by diet and by your doctor’s advice.
| Often emphasised | Often avoided or limited | Example diet |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetables (non-nightshade on AIP), meat, fish, fruit, healthy fats | Grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, nightshades, nuts, seeds | AIP diet, autoimmune diet |
| Specific “safe” foods; reintroduction of others | Suspected trigger foods (varies) | Elimination diet |
| Low residue during flare; adequate calories and protein | High fibre, alcohol, large meals during flare | Crohn's diet |
| Low sugar, no yeast-promoting foods | Sugar, refined carbs, alcohol, sometimes mouldy foods | Candida diet |
| Whole foods, bone broth, fermented foods (in some phases) | Grains, processed foods, certain carbs | GAPS diet, specific carbohydrate diet |
| Low-histamine foods | Aged cheese, fermented foods, alcohol, some fish | Low histamine diet |
A candida diet food list and candida diet recipes are widely available online; use them only with medical advice. An elimination diet meal plan should be designed with a dietitian so you still get enough nutrients.
Potential benefits and limitations
Benefits: Some people report fewer symptoms on an AIP diet, elimination diet, Crohn's diet, or low histamine diet when done properly. Reintroduction on an elimination or AIP diet can identify trigger foods. A Crohn's disease diet and elemental diet (when prescribed) can help during IBD flares.
Limitations: Evidence for a single best diet for autoimmune disease is limited. The candida diet and leaky gut diet are not well supported by strong studies. The GAPS diet and specific carbohydrate diet are restrictive and can cause nutrient gaps. All of these diets should be used with a doctor or dietitian–do not self-diagnose or restrict long-term without guidance.
Risks and who should be cautious
Restrictive diets can lead to nutrient deficiency, weight loss, or an unhealthy relationship with food. The AIP diet, elimination diet, candida diet, GAPS diet, and specific carbohydrate diet are not suitable for everyone. Children, pregnant women, and people with eating disorders or multiple conditions need extra care. An elemental diet is a medical treatment and must be prescribed. If you have Crohn’s or another IBD, follow a Crohn's diet or similar plan only as advised by your gastroenterologist or dietitian. Do not use diet instead of prescribed medication unless your doctor agrees.
Sample day (general anti-inflammatory / gut-friendly)
This is a non-specific example of a day that might fit some people on an autoimmune diet or gut-friendly eating–not a prescription for AIP, elimination, or Crohn's diet. Adjust to your allowed foods and your doctor’s advice.
- Breakfast: Oatmeal (if allowed) or eggs with cooked vegetables; fruit.
- Lunch: Grilled chicken or fish, salad or cooked vegetables, olive oil.
- Dinner: Lean meat or fish, vegetables, sweet potato or rice if allowed.
- Snacks: Fruit, nuts (if allowed), or yogurt (if allowed). For candida diet recipes or elimination diet meal plan ideas, work with a dietitian.
For more structured plans, see our anti-inflammatory diet and paleo diet (which includes AIP). For gut symptoms that may be diet-related, see our IBS & low-FODMAP diet guide. Use our calorie calculator and TDEE calculator only as a rough guide–your needs are set by your healthcare team.
Frequently asked questions
An autoimmune diet usually refers to eating patterns aimed at reducing inflammation or symptoms in autoimmune conditions. The AIP diet (Autoimmune Protocol) is a strict elimination diet that removes grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, nuts, seeds, and nightshades, then reintroduces foods. There is no single best diet for autoimmune disease–choices depend on the condition and the person. Always work with your doctor or dietitian.
The AIP diet (Autoimmune Protocol) is a stricter version of the paleo diet. You remove grains, legumes, dairy, eggs, nuts, seeds, nightshades (e.g. tomatoes, peppers), and other potential triggers, then reintroduce foods one by one to see what you tolerate. It is used by some people with autoimmune conditions. It should be done with a doctor or dietitian because it is very restrictive.
An elimination diet removes certain foods for a period, then reintroduces them to identify triggers (e.g. for symptoms or allergies). An elimination diet meal plan is usually designed with a dietitian. It can be used for gut symptoms, suspected food intolerance, or as part of AIP. It is not a long-term diet–reintroduction is essential.
A Crohn's disease diet or Crohn's diet is an eating plan tailored to Crohn’s disease (a type of IBD). It often avoids foods that worsen symptoms (e.g. high fibre during flares), ensures enough calories and nutrients, and may use an elemental diet (liquid formula) during severe flares. It must be guided by a gastroenterologist or dietitian.
The candida diet restricts sugar, refined carbs, and sometimes other foods with the aim of reducing yeast (Candida) overgrowth. A candida diet food list and candida diet recipes typically avoid sugar, white flour, and alcohol. Evidence for this diet is limited–it is not a standard medical treatment. Talk to your doctor before starting.
A leaky gut diet usually avoids foods thought to increase intestinal permeability or inflammation (e.g. alcohol, highly processed foods) and emphasises whole foods. The concept of “leaky gut” as a cause of disease is debated; there is no single proven leaky gut diet. If you have gut symptoms, see your doctor for a proper diagnosis and personalised advice.
Summary
An autoimmune diet and gut health diets (e.g. AIP diet, elimination diet, elimination diet meal plan, Crohn's disease diet / Crohn's diet, candida diet with candida diet food list and candida diet recipes, leaky gut diet, GAPS diet, specific carbohydrate diet, low histamine diet, elemental diet) are used by some people to manage symptoms. There is no single best diet for autoimmune disease–what helps depends on the person and condition. These diets are often restrictive and can cause nutrient gaps; they should only be used with your doctor or a dietitian. Do not replace medical treatment with diet. See our anti-inflammatory diet, paleo diet, and IBS & low-FODMAP diet guides for related information.
Use our calculators with this diet
Set your calorie target and plan meals with our free tools.
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Other diet guides that may fit your goals.
Anti-inflammatory diet
Foods that may help reduce inflammation. Often overlaps with Mediterranean.
Gluten-free diet
No gluten. Essential for coeliac disease; others use it by choice.
IBS & low-FODMAP diet
Low-FODMAP and IBS-friendly eating. Best done with a dietitian.
Low-fibre & colonoscopy diet
Low residue for bowel prep or certain conditions. Short-term.
Sources and further reading
This article is based on current evidence and guidance. For more detail, see:
- Guidance on diet in IBD (Crohn’s, ulcerative colitis) from gastroenterology societies
- Reviews on elimination diets, AIP, and autoimmune conditions
- Position statements on candida, leaky gut, and evidence for dietary interventions
Last updated: 20 February 2026. Content is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.