AIP Seafood Guide
27 items classified under standard AIP guidelines.
How do seafood fare on the AIP diet? The answer depends on whether the food contains compounds AIP suspects of provoking immune activity. This guide breaks down all 27 items in this category with their classification, nutritional data, and the reasoning behind each status.
Good news for AIP followers: almost all seafood fit the diet. These foods are a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. The nutrition details below help you compare within the category to find the best options for your specific needs.
Quick Reference
| Food | Status | Calories (per 100g) |
|---|---|---|
| Anchovies | Allowed | 210kcal |
| Calamari | Allowed | 234kcal |
| Canned Salmon | Allowed | 136kcal |
| Canned Tuna | Allowed | 85kcal |
| Canned Tuna in Oil | Allowed | 198kcal |
| Canned Tuna in Water | Allowed | 128kcal |
| Catfish | Allowed | 95kcal |
| Clams | Allowed | 86kcal |
| Cod | Allowed | 82kcal |
| Crab | Allowed | 83kcal |
| Halibut | Allowed | 91kcal |
| Lobster | Allowed | 97kcal |
| Mahi Mahi | Allowed | 85kcal |
| Mussels | Allowed | 109kcal |
| Oysters | Allowed | 51kcal |
| Salmon | Allowed | 213kcal |
| Sardines | Allowed | 208kcal |
| Scallops | Allowed | 217kcal |
| Sea Bass | Allowed | 97kcal |
| Shrimp | Allowed | 426kcal |
| Smoked Salmon | Allowed | 117kcal |
| Sushi | Allowed | 94kcal |
| Swordfish | Allowed | 121kcal |
| Tilapia | Allowed | 96kcal |
| Trout | Allowed | 148kcal |
| Tuna | Allowed | 206kcal |
| Fish Sticks | Limited | 277kcal |
Classification Breakdown
26 Allowed — These seafood are a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. 1 Limited — These items have excluded during strict elimination but tested during reintroduction.
AIP is a temporary protocol lasting 30–90 days, with foods reintroduced one at a time.
Allowed Seafood (26)
Anchovies
AllowedAnchovies is classified as Allowed on AIP, with 210kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. It also contains 28.9g protein and 9.7g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Sardines at 208kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Calamari
AllowedAt 234kcal calories per 100g, Calamari falls into the Allowed category under AIP guidelines. The classification reflects that it is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Nutritionally, it also delivers 13.8g protein and 13.2g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Scallops at 217kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Canned Salmon
AllowedAt 136kcal calories per 100g, Canned Salmon falls into the Allowed category under AIP guidelines. The classification reflects that it is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Nutritionally, it also delivers 24.6g protein and 378mg sodium per serving. Within this category, it falls between Canned Tuna in Water and Trout for calories, ranking 17 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Canned Tuna
AllowedAt 85kcal calories per 100g, Canned Tuna falls into the Allowed category under AIP guidelines. It is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Beyond the primary classification, canned tuna also provides 19g protein and 219mg sodium per 100g. Among the 27 items in this category, canned tuna sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Mahi Mahi at 85kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Canned Tuna in Oil
AllowedWith 198kcal calories per 100g, Canned Tuna in Oil earns a Allowed classification on AIP. This means it is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. It also contains 29.1g protein and 8.2g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Trout and Tuna for calories, ranking 19 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Canned Tuna in Water
AllowedAt 128kcal calories per 100g, Canned Tuna in Water falls into the Allowed category under AIP guidelines. It is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Beyond the primary classification, canned tuna in water also provides 23.6g protein and 377mg sodium per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Swordfish and Canned Salmon for calories, ranking 16 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Catfish
AllowedWith 95kcal calories per 100g, Catfish earns a Allowed classification on AIP. It is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Beyond the primary classification, catfish also provides 16.4g protein per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Sushi and Tilapia for calories, ranking 9 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Clams
AllowedWith 86kcal calories per 100g, Clams earns a Allowed classification on AIP. It is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Beyond the primary classification, clams also provides 14.7g protein per 100g. Among the 27 items in this category, clams sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Halibut at 91kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Cod
AllowedWith 82kcal calories per 100g, Cod earns a Allowed classification on AIP. This means it is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. It also contains 17.8g protein, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 27 items in this category, cod sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Crab at 83kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic (raw) | 82kcal | 17.8g | 0.7g | 0g | 0g |
| Pacific (raw) | 84kcal | 20.4g | 0.3g | 0g | — |
Crab
AllowedCrab is classified as Allowed on AIP, with 83kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Nutritionally, it also delivers 17.9g protein and 395mg sodium per serving. Among the 27 items in this category, crab sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Canned Tuna at 85kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Halibut
AllowedAt 91kcal calories per 100g, Halibut falls into the Allowed category under AIP guidelines. The classification reflects that it is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Nutritionally, it also delivers 18.6g protein per serving. Within this category, it falls between Clams and Sushi for calories, ranking 7 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Lobster
AllowedWith 97kcal calories per 100g, Lobster earns a Allowed classification on AIP. This means it is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. It also contains 20.9g protein and 535mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Tilapia and Sea Bass for calories, ranking 11 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Mahi Mahi
AllowedWith 85kcal calories per 100g, Mahi Mahi earns a Allowed classification on AIP. This means it is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. It also contains 18.5g protein, which may factor into overall meal planning. Among the 27 items in this category, mahi mahi sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Clams at 86kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Mussels
AllowedMussels is classified as Allowed on AIP, with 109kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. It also contains 15.1g protein and 362mg sodium, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Sea Bass and Smoked Salmon for calories, ranking 13 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Oysters
AllowedOysters is classified as Allowed on AIP, with 51kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Nutritionally, it also delivers 5.7g protein per serving. Among the 27 items in this category, oysters sits at the low end for calories — next closest is Cod at 82kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Salmon
AllowedWith 213kcal calories per 100g, Salmon earns a Allowed classification on AIP. It is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Beyond the primary classification, salmon also provides 10.8g protein and 17.4g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Anchovies at 210kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic (raw) | 142kcal | 19.8g | 6.3g | 0g | 0g |
| Atlantic (farmed, raw) | 208kcal | 20.4g | 13.4g | 0g | 0g |
Sardines
AllowedSardines is classified as Allowed on AIP, with 208kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. It also contains 24.6g protein and 11.5g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Tuna at 206kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Scallops
AllowedAt 217kcal calories per 100g, Scallops falls into the Allowed category under AIP guidelines. It is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Beyond the primary classification, scallops also provides 11.1g protein and 12.5g fat per 100g. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Salmon at 213kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Sea Bass
AllowedAt 97kcal calories per 100g, Sea Bass falls into the Allowed category under AIP guidelines. It is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Beyond the primary classification, sea bass also provides 18.4g protein per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Lobster and Mussels for calories, ranking 12 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Shrimp
AllowedShrimp is classified as Allowed on AIP, with 426kcal calories per 100g. This means it is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. It also contains 7.1g protein and 17.9g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Fish Sticks at 277kcal.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raw | 100kcal | 20.4g | 1.4g | 0g | 0g |
| Cooked | 87kcal | 17.5g | 1.3g | 0g | 0g |
Smoked Salmon
AllowedWith 117kcal calories per 100g, Smoked Salmon earns a Allowed classification on AIP. It is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Beyond the primary classification, smoked salmon also provides 18.3g protein and 672mg sodium per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Mussels and Swordfish for calories, ranking 14 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Sushi
AllowedAt 94kcal calories per 100g, Sushi falls into the Allowed category under AIP guidelines. It is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Beyond the primary classification, sushi also provides 428mg sodium per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Halibut and Catfish for calories, ranking 8 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Swordfish
AllowedSwordfish is classified as Allowed on AIP, with 121kcal calories per 100g. The classification reflects that it is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Nutritionally, it also delivers 19.7g protein per serving. Within this category, it falls between Smoked Salmon and Canned Tuna in Water for calories, ranking 15 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Tilapia
AllowedAt 96kcal calories per 100g, Tilapia falls into the Allowed category under AIP guidelines. The classification reflects that it is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Nutritionally, it also delivers 20.1g protein per serving. Within this category, it falls between Catfish and Lobster for calories, ranking 10 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Trout
AllowedWith 148kcal calories per 100g, Trout earns a Allowed classification on AIP. This means it is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. It also contains 20.8g protein and 6.6g fat, which may factor into overall meal planning. Within this category, it falls between Canned Salmon and Canned Tuna in Oil for calories, ranking 18 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
Tuna
AllowedAt 206kcal calories per 100g, Tuna falls into the Allowed category under AIP guidelines. It is a nutrient-dense whole food not in AIP elimination categories. Beyond the primary classification, tuna also provides 15.3g protein and 14.9g fat per 100g. Within this category, it falls between Canned Tuna in Oil and Sardines for calories, ranking 20 of 27.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Variant | Calories | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh (raw) | 144kcal | 23.3g | 4.9g | 0g | 0g |
| Canned in Water | 90kcal | 19g | 0.9g | 0.1g | — |
| Canned in Oil | 198kcal | 29.1g | 8.2g | 0g | 0g |
Limited Seafood (1)
Fish Sticks
LimitedAt 277kcal calories per 100g, Fish Sticks falls into the Limited category under AIP guidelines. The classification reflects that it is excluded during strict elimination but tested during reintroduction. Nutritionally, it also delivers 11g protein and 16.2g fat per serving. It ranks among the highest in this category for calories. The nearest lower option is Calamari at 234kcal. The "Limited" label means the classification depends on specific conditions — portion size, brand formulation, or preparation method can shift it from compliant to non-compliant.
Per 100g · Source: USDA FoodData Central