When I was first diagnosed I said to my doctor, please say I do not have to go Paleo! She said as long as I followed an anti inflammatory diet and cut out sugar, I did not have to go "full-Paleo," and while I haven't, many find a Primal/Paleo diet very helpful. In truth, I utilize tons of Paleo, and even AIP-Paleo recipes everyday.
We are all different. I lost about 35lbs without trying and had muscle wasting (I wasn't super big to begin with) so I need calorie dense meals. Others put on unwanted weight from Lyme. Some of us are sensitive or allergic to certain foods or have histamine intolerance. Some of us lose our appetites or are dealing with stomach problems from Lyme or antibiotics or both. It is my non professional opinion it is more important to get enough calories for energy than to obsess that you are eating a "wrong" item.
Most of us are trying to stay ahead of yeast and candida infections. People with Lyme generally cannot tolerate alcohol and when taking certain medications -like Flagyl- it is advised to not even have red wine vinegar. We ALL should stay far away from sugar and simple carbohydrates that feed the bacteria, and from processed/GMO foods that put toxins into our bodies, but if we are too sick to shop or cook or if we rely on family and friends to feed us, do what you have to do and don't beat yourself up with guilt.
Listen to your own body.
One of my favorite websites for great, great recipes is by a very inspirational Lymie-in-recovery,
http://www.predominentlypaleo.com
She credits diet as a huge part of her recovery and she has loads of recipes that are healthy and delicious- so delicious my children enjoy everything I make from her site.
She teaches how to utilize yuca, a carbohydrate dense root vegetable that is so versatile, you can make it into dough. And waffles! She has an instructional video on the website. I boil from frozen yuca about twice a week now and make all manner of things with it. I find it is easier than buying it fresh and wrangling to peel it.
I have 2 food and diet books that were also helpful.
* The Lyme Diet by Dr. Nicola McFadzean who is an LLND in California. It is less about recipes and more about diet guidelines and supplements/tests while treating your Lyme.
* Recipes For Repair, A Lyme Disease Cookbook by Gail and Laura Piazza. It is based on the dietary guidelines from Dr Kenneth B. Singleton who wrote another worthy book, The Lyme Disease Solution.
I personally follow this diet:
No alcohol.
No caffeine.
Almost no sugar- I use pure stevia and raw honey in very small amounts. I do have a square of dark chocolate most days. Sometimes I bake a Paleo recipe sweetened with honey or maple syrup but this is occasional and as a treat.
Gluten and grain "reduced." This is one step away from gluten free. I do avoid gluten in favor of healthier and less inflammatory grains, but on occasion will eat a little. I am not "low carb," although I try to get mine from low inflammatory sources such as carb-dense vegetables. I do believe there is merit, though, to the growing anti-wheat movement embraced by even those without Lyme.
Organic, non GMO, & whole, non processed foods as much as feasible. When I eat meat/chicken, it is antibiotic free and organic.
I try to not eat anything from a can, or if there isn't another good option, then from a BPA free can. I don't store food in plastic and only drink from glass or stainless.
Anti-inflammatory!! Lots of veges from the 3 groups described in the Wahl's Protocol ( another book I enjoyed ) : Leafy Greens Sulfur Colors
Pro and pre biotic. I take probiotics everyday but also eat fermented veges, fermented dairy, and lots of fiber rich vegetables. I make a smoothie in my Nutri Bullet with a base of coconut or almond milk or kefir, or a green juice in my juicer daily. I can pack in a lot of different fruit and vegetables in one glass. I try to eat these daily: a clove of raw garlic, ginger, turmeric, a spoonful each of both coconut oil and apple cider vinegar, bone broth, green tea, lemon water, pink Himalayan salt and a fermented drink like kombucha or kefir. All have various health benefits so I try to work them into my diet.
I oil pull every day. Sometimes I add a drop of peppermint or lemon essential oil to it as well.