Our time spent on the GAPS diet really changed everything for our family. It healed my son, Raleigh of severe eczema, food sensitivities, edema and asthma. Two years ago, Raleigh successfully transitioned off GAPS and was moved to the Weston A Price “diet”. Even though we are not currently on GAPS as a family there are still GAPS-y things we implement in our daily and/or weekly lifestyle.
- Meat Stock. I still make meat stock almost weekly. I make sure we consume either meat stock or bone broth in multiple meals each week. I also always have a back up supply in the freezer. Meat stock is the glue that heals-and-seals the gut wall. Bone broth is the maintenance “glue.” I make sure we consume one or the other regularly.
- Cod Liver Oil – We take CLO religiously throughout the winter months when we are not able to get adequate sun. This makes sure we are maintaining our vitamin D levels properly. It has also proved to keep us from “catching” the flu each year. Once we pass from fall into winter we take CLO until spring returns.
- Organ Meats – I typically buy a whole chicken that has a few of the organs in it. I like to buy it this way so I can cook them in the meat stock and then chop them up and add them into whatever dish I am using the chicken in later that week. It is a great way to keep organ meat in the diet. We also supplement with organs. I like to rotate between liver, kidney and a organ complex like this one.
- Ferments at Meals – Fermented foods are a pillar of the GAPS protocol and a very important food to have on a daily basis to support the microbiome. We may not always get a ferment at every meal, though I try, but we always have one with dinner.
- Saturated Animal Fats – These guys aren’t going anywhere. Never will I ever return to cooking with vegetable oils. We use healthy amounts of butter, duck fat, lard and tallow on a regular basis.
All five of these are also very Weston A Price. There is a large overlap between GAPS and WAP which is why WAP is the natural “diet” to move to after coming off of GAPS. But GAPS taught me these principles and the importance behind them. I’m thankful to have gleaned this knowledge and can pass it to my children who will hopefully, one day when they begin making their own decisions on cooking, to adopt these life-giving food principles.
Not sure where to start with GAPS? Check out my 30 day Full GAPS meal plan. It is great for beginners, it is great for those not sure they could even do GAPS and/or haven’t begun the diet yet. It is great for those who have been on the diet a while and need some new recipe inspiration. Check out my storefront here.
