What is the GAPS Diet? 

 

Background: 

 

The Gut and Psychology Syndrome or the GAPS diet is a nutritional protocol created by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. Dr. Natasha is a medical doctor with post-graduate degrees in human nutrition and neurology. She spent 5 years as a Neurologist and 3 years as a neurosurgeon before moving to the UK where she practiced as a Nutritionist. 

 

Dr. Natasha was working with hundreds of children and adults with neurological and psychiatric conditions (such as autism spectrum disorders, ADD/ADHD, schizophrenia, dyslexia, dyspraxia, depression, OCD, bipolar disorder and other conditions). If not all, most displayed digestive issues as well. These children and adults were falling into a “gap” between what medical knowledge could offer and treatment of their health. 

 

 

What is the GAPS diet in a nutshell? 

 

The GAPS diet is specifically designed to heal and seal the gut lining, rebalance the immune system, and restore the optimal balance of our bacterial ecosystem in the gastrointestinal tract. 

 

The diet restricts all grains/gluten, commercial dairy, starchy vegetable and all processed/refined foods and carbohydrates. It is focused around healing with nutrient dense and easily digestible foods. 

 

The most amazing part is that the gut is the foundation of our health. 80% of our immune system cells are made in the gut and it is vital that we take care of it. When We are removing foods that are feeding the abundance of bad bacteria in our human ecosystem so that we can bring the body back into balance. 

 

The GAPS diet is divided into two parts, the introduction diet & the full gaps diet. Which path you start on is completely dependent on the person. The introduction diet is the most restrictive and healing where we go back to basics and the basis of meat stock is used to heal and seal the gut lining. Going into the introduction diet can be very overwhelming for someone who is used to a processed/ traditional Western diet. This is why a lot of times we will have a person ease into these changes by starting with the Full GAPS diet because it is far less restrictive. It can be very beneficial to have a GAPS Practitioner to help guide you on how and when to move through each stage. 

 

Dr. Natasha recommends for people who have severe digestive issues or food sensitivities, it is best to start with the introduction diet. For those suffering with more mild symptoms or constipation, starting with the Full GAPS diet may be the better option to start. You can work alongside your GAPS Practitioner to help determine which is best for you. 

 

Who can benefit? 

 

Everyone can benefit from the GAPS diet. This day and age our toxic load from environmental factors combined with the food industry it is to no surprise why people are suffering from more health conditions than we have ever seen in the past. 

 

• Eczema

• Autoimmune disorders 

• Malnutrition (FTT)

• Menstrual problems

• Gut dysbiosis 

• Leaky gut 

• Digestive issues (such as constipation/ diarrhea, bloating, gas, etc.)

• IBS & IBD

• Food intolerances/ sensitivities 

• Autism spectrum disorders 

• Allergies

• ADD/ADHD

• OCD

• Bipolar & schizophrenia 

• Depression

• Anxiety 

• Fatigue

• Brain fog

• Type 1 diabetes, celiac disease 

• Numerous other health issues 

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