Autoimmune Disease and Diet:
Why the Right Foods Matter More Than You Think

Food Can Be Fuel—or a Trigger—for Autoimmune Disease

Suppose you’re living with an autoimmune condition like Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Lupus, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lyme disease, or Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). In that case, you know how unpredictable the symptoms can be. One day you feel fine, and the next you’re dealing with crushing fatigue, pain, inflammation, brain fog, or skin flare-ups.

Before running for another prescription, consider this:

What if the food you’re eating is silently firing up the autoimmunity raging inside you? The truth is, what you put on your plate has a direct effect on your immune system, for better or worse. And for many of my clients, identifying the right (and wrong) foods has been a simple and effective, life-changing step toward symptom relief and long-term wellness.

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Understanding the Autoimmune Disease and Diet Connection

Your immune system is designed to protect you. However, in autoimmune diseases, it begins attacking your tissues, mistakenly identifying them as foreign invaders. Conditions like Hashimoto’s affect your thyroid, Lupus may target the skin or organs, EDS can create chronic joint instability and pain, Lyme disease triggers immune overactivation, and Mast Cell Activation causes hypersensitive reactions to environmental and internal triggers, including foods.

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The Gut-Immune Link: Why Food Matters So Much

Did you know that 70–80% of your immune system lives in your gut? The lining of your gut is designed to act as a barrier, keeping harmful substances out of your bloodstream. However, when you consume foods your body can’t tolerate—such as gluten, dairy, processed sugars, or certain additives—you may unknowingly damage that lining, leading to a condition known as leaky gut (intestinal permeability).

Leaky gut allows undigested food proteins, bacteria, and toxins to “leak” into the bloodstream, triggering immune confusion and increasing your risk for autoimmune flares. This can also lead to years of troublesome and debilitating autoimmunity.

Common Food Triggers in Autoimmune Disease

While everyone is different, some common foods are known to worsen autoimmune symptoms:

  • Gluten – A top trigger for Hashimoto’s, celiac disease, and often Lupus

  • Dairy – Can increase inflammation, pain, mucus production, and immune confusion

  • Soy – Highly processed and often genetically modified

  • Sugar and artificial sweeteners – Fuel inflammation and gut imbalance

  • Nightshades (tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, potatoes) – May worsen pain and inflammation.

  • Corn and seed oils – High in inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids

  • Food chemicals and preservatives – Known to irritate mast cells

But here’s the key:

What triggers one person’s autoimmune disease may be fine for someone else. That’s why a personalized approach is always best. At my office, we conduct comprehensive food intolerance testing, examining two immune pathways rather than just one, unlike most tests.

What to Eat Instead:
Anti-Inflammatory, Autoimmune-Supportive Foods

Healing foods help calm inflammation, soothe the gut, and balance the immune system. Some of my go-to staples include:

  • Clean, lean proteins: pasture-raised poultry, wild-caught fish, grass-fed meats

  • Cooked leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables

  • Root vegetables (carrots, beets, butternut squash, parsnips, sweet potatoes)

  • Healthy fats: avocado, olive oil, coconut oil

  • Bone broth for gut lining support

  • Low-sugar fruits like blueberries

This is NOT about dieting—it’s about supporting your body’s ability to function correctly.

What It Feels Like to Live With Autoimmunity

Autoimmune symptoms can make you feel like you’re losing control of your body—and your life. Many of my clients come in saying:

“I’m tired of feeling inflamed, anxious, and always on edge.”

“I want to enjoy my life without worrying about what will trigger me next.”

“I’m doing everything I can, but I still feel sick and misunderstood.”

You’re not alone—and you’re not crazy. These symptoms are real. But the solution doesn’t have to start in a pill bottle. Sometimes, the most potent change begins with your fork.

You Can Feel Better—And It Starts With Food

If you’re struggling with any of these conditions:

Know this: There is a way forward.

With personalized guidance, we can help you identify which foods are beneficial and which are detrimental to your health. You’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to eat in a way that genuinely supports your immune system, rather than working against it.

Ready to Get Answers and Feel Better?

I’ve helped hundreds of women and men uncover their unique food triggers, naturally lower inflammation, and finally feel like themselves again.

Let’s get your autoimmune disease and diet lined up specifically for you.

Let’s stop the guessing and start testing.

Let’s create a food plan that supports your healing, rather than just your symptoms.

👉 Book a virtual or in-person appointment today

You deserve clarity, energy, and confidence again—and it starts with the food on your plate.

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📍 Located in the Atlanta area | Telehealth available nationwide