What is the GAPS diet?
The GAPS diet is a gut healing protocol. What sets GAPS apart from every other diet out there is its aim to heal and seal the gut lining so that you will one day be able to come off of the protocol and be symptom-free. It is not your typical elimination-style diet like Paleo, Whole 30, Carnivore, FODMAP, etc. There is an elimination element for a time, but GAPS specifically has a coming off stage once substantial healing has been achieved.
If you are coming to GAPS from the typical standard American diet GAPS can be a big leap. Anything is possible, however, I often encourage clients who are coming to GAPS from this direction to ease into GAPS slowly. One of the best ways to do that is by making the transition to eating a Paleo diet. After spending some time removing processed foods and learning to cook from scratch, most people find transitioning to the full GAPS diet much more attainable.
If this is you, and you know GAPS is where you want to land, but you need some time to transition then I recommend my GAPS for You meal plan. There are two options. GAPS for You: What’s for Dinner? Is my dinner-only option. It provides a month of full GAPS dinners that will give you a good taste of what GAPS will be like. The other option is GAPS for You: 30 Days of Full GAPS. This option provides breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can check both of these out in my storefront as well as my other recipe compilations.
Either meal plan will be a great stepping stone into GAPS. The meals are simple, kid approved and delicious. GAPS food isn’t gross. At least it doesn’t have to be! Each meal plan comes with weekly shopping lists and a GAPS pantry staple checklist.
I also recommend reading Dr. Natasha’s book: Gut and Psychology Syndrome (yellow) or Gut and Physiology Syndrome (blue). The protocol is the same in both. The blue book is her updated version that speaks more to the physiology side of GAPS: eczema, food allergies, asthma, etc. These books are treasure troves of information.
If you are looking for help as you navigate the diet please contact me for coaching.
The GAPS diet changed our lives. It has the power to change yours as well. Happy eating.