Hello, I’m GAPS (An Intro to the GAPS Diet) (2024)

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Wondering what the GAPS Diet is all about? Could it be what your body needs to heal? Look no further than this intro to the GAPS Diet.

Contents hide

1 It’s All About Your Gut.

2 An Intro to the GAPS Diet.

3 Why Would I Need the GAPS Diet?

4 Do It For Your Gut!

If you’ve been surfing the whole, crunchy, allergy-friendly, foodie web-world for a bit now, you’ve probably come across these phrases:

GAPS legal
GAPS friendly
mind the GAP

Just kidding on the last one, unless you frequent blogs that have to do with whole foods and the British subway system. Anyway…. If you’ve never heard of the GAPS Diet, or if you have, but you’re not quite sure what it is, let me enlighten you a bit.

It’s All About Your Gut.

GAPS is not just another diet. It’s not supposed to make you skinny, help you be a better athlete, or anything like that. It’s meant to heal you from the inside out.

I’m sure you’re all aware that you have a gut. (No, I’m not talking about the chub around your middle, I’m talking about your intestines.) You might even know that 70-80% of your immune system is found inside it. But did you realize that the health of that gut controls the health of your entire body? Basically, if your intestines are distressed, your body will be, as well.

This distress can manifest itself in many ways:

IBS (aka, irritable bowel syndrome)
food and/or environmental allergies
fatigue
UTIs
headaches
skin problems
digestive issues (gas, diarrhea, bloating, constipation, etc.)
OCD
autoimmune disorders
anything on the “autism spectrum”
asthma
dyslexia
depression
colic in infants

This is by no means a conclusive list, but I’m sure you get the picture. A healthy gut is pretty important! If you’ve ever struggled with any of these issues, you might want to read a little further…

An Intro to the GAPS Diet.

GAPS stands for “Gut and Psychology Syndrome.” It sounds a little strange, but it basically just means the connection between the brain and the digestive system, aka your gut. The fancy name was put together by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, a neurologist, neurosurgeon, and human nutritionalist. After refusing to accept that her son could not be healed of autism, she developed the diet based off of the specific carbohydrate diet. You can read her book, if you want to know more about that. After helping her son heal, she went on to help hundreds of other children and adults heal from neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Toxic Overload.

The main idea behind GAPS is that our digestive systems have been damaged and overloaded by excessive consumption of carbohydrates, toxic chemical additives, highly processed foods, antibiotics, etc. These things destroy the lining in our intestines, making them permeable and causing all the above mentioned issues. By removing these things from our diets and lives, our intestinal lining is allowed to heal and our digestive system is restored, bringing a return of overall health.

The Intro Diet.

The GAPS Diet starts out with a very intense, restrictive menu (or lack thereof), called the Intro Diet. This diet serves to starve out the unhealthy bacteria that have taken up residence in your gut and are feeding on the sugars from the carbs and starch you’ve been eating. The time it takes to complete the Intro Diet is a personal thing. It can take a couple weeks, or a couple months, depending on you and severity of damage to your gut.

After completion of the Intro Diet, you transition onto the Full Diet, and remain on this for a minimum of 18 months. This might sound a little overwhelming, but when compared to a lifetime of allergies, asthma, skin problems, etc., it’s really not that bad. The GAPS diet is only temporary, until complete health is restored to your gut and your body. Once this healing is secured, yer good ‘t go! It’s on to a traditional, whole foods diet for you, my friend!

Why Would I Need the GAPS Diet?

Just like every other diet, GAPS is not for everyone. But I do think it is for most of those who have been raised on a western diet (i.e. the Standard American Diet) and have been subjected to health hazards like antibiotics and environmental toxins.

For example: if you grew up in the middle of Siberia or the Amazon Rainforest and were nourished on bone broth soups and fresh or fermented veggies since infancy, never went near a big city where you could be exposed to toxic fumes, and were never immunized, you probably don’t need to go on the GAPS diet. But, if you’re like me and you were born in America, in a hospital full of unfamiliar germs, were given toxic immunizations before you were even a year old, struggled with “colic,” had antibiotics for your first ear infection, lived in a city were you could cut the smog with a knife, developed eczema, asthma, seasonal allergies… this might be something you should look into.

Do It For Your Gut!

If you’ve stuck around this far, you’re probably interested in a little more of the gory details. You can read on to my family’s personal experience with GAPS, as well as what exactly you can eat while on the diet, and some helpful recipes and recourses, if you decide to give it a go.

Our Story on the GAPS Intro Diet
An Intro to the Intro Diet
Why I Did the GAPS Diet. . . again.
The GAPS Intro Diet – What in the World Do I Eat?

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25 Comments

Meredith S on March 27, 2014 at 6:46 pm
Interesting. I have been living on The Virgin Diet for the last 9 months due to many of these issues. Changing my diet has truly been the answer to so many of my health problems! I will have to look into the GAP diet farther. Thanks for sharing this.

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Raia on March 28, 2014 at 10:32 am
Hi Meredith, thanks for stopping by! I'm glad to share what I've been learning! I agree with some of what I've read about the Virgin Diet, like the 7 foods that need to be dropped. It's wonderful that you've found relief through it! I do think full healing goes deeper than just dropping those foods, though. The GAPS diet is definitely worth looking into, even if only to help you better understand your body. 🙂

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Haverkorn on March 28, 2014 at 4:01 pm
I'm so proud of you Raia

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Raia on March 28, 2014 at 5:41 pm
Thanks, friend. 😉

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Antionette Blake on March 29, 2014 at 12:30 am
Great post, hubby is currently in the hospital recovering from surgery – had cancerous tumor removed from his small intestines and he had been suffering with IBS for years before it was diagnosed!

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Raia on March 29, 2014 at 8:04 am
Oh wow, I hope your husband heals quickly, Antionette! Thanks for stopping by!

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Tamara Willis on April 1, 2014 at 3:59 pm
Thanks for sharing. I have learned so much.
Pinned. Thanks for linking up at the Bloggers Brags Weekly Pinterest Party

Reply
Raia on April 1, 2014 at 4:46 pm
Glad to share – I'm happy that you learned! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Tamara.

Reply
See Also
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Joyce Wheeler on April 3, 2014 at 1:30 pm
Thanks for this post, I have seen other bloggers talk about the GAPS diet, but this is the first time it has been explained.

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Raia on April 3, 2014 at 2:54 pm
You're welcome, Joyce. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂

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Carly on April 4, 2014 at 5:27 pm
I started GAPS in December of 2012. I have stayed mostly GAPS with the exception of adding in sweet potatoes… I have experienced profound healing from this protocol. I preach it's amazing healing powers to anyone who will listen!

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Raia on April 4, 2014 at 9:22 pm
Thanks for sharing, Carly! It's so encouraging to hear of others who have been healed through GAPS as well. It gives me hope to keep going. I've also added back in sweet potatoes, when I can get them. 🙂

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Kelli @ The Sustainable Couple on April 6, 2014 at 8:02 am
Thanks for linking up and sharing on Mostly Homemade Mondays! We're so glad you joined us, and look forward to seeing what you link up next week 🙂
Kelli @ The Sustainable Couple
http://www.thesustainablecouple.com

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Raia on April 7, 2014 at 9:34 am
Thanks, Kelli!

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Poor and Gluten Free on April 8, 2014 at 8:01 pm
Thanks for sharing this! I know lots of people feel like GAPS has been really beneficial for them. I've considered it myself, but don't feel like the diet itself is right for me (my specific & numerous food allergies /restrictions don't really make the basic diet safe) but that doesn't mean that others might not find value in it. I'm featuring this tonight on Waste Not Want Not Wednesday so others can check it out 🙂

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Raia on April 8, 2014 at 9:31 pm
Thanks, Danielle! I hope other people do find in helpful. I understand your wariness. I had some trouble at the beginning of the diet due to an intolerance to chicken and carrots, both of which are some of the main things you are supposed to eat! But after a week, I could eat them with no reaction whatsoever. I do agree though, it's not for everybody! You need to find what works for your body. 🙂 Thanks for sharing and for stopping by! 🙂

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Crystelle Boutique on April 9, 2014 at 2:31 pm
I'm excited to learn more!!
“hugs” Crystelle
Crystelle Boutique

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Raia on April 9, 2014 at 4:43 pm
Thanks, Crystelle! 🙂

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william schwartz on July 12, 2014 at 12:10 am
The need for highly skilled and experienced nurses will continue to rise in 2014, but it will not be any easier for medical staffing. facilities to find the people they need.

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Jolene @ Yummy Inspirations on December 7, 2014 at 3:42 am
We progressed through The GAPS Diet a couple of years ago and it worked wonders for my son’s chronic eczema. Good luck with your journey.

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- Raia on December 8, 2014 at 9:41 am
  I’m so glad to hear it helped with your son’s eczema! It has helped me immensely with my multiple food allergies. Such a blessing!
  Thanks so much for stopping by, Jolene!
  
  Reply
Shreyashi on March 11, 2016 at 9:53 pm
Whilst the GAPS diet would be helpful if you followed a standard American diet, there is no scientific basis in demonising immunisation and vaccination. In fact, as a doctor, I am appalled at the notion that someone would seriously consider denying their children the benefit of vaccinations. Andrew Wakefield’s study that precipitated the fear mongering has been summarily debunked. I would urge you to read this post: http://www.publichealth.org/public-awareness/understanding-vaccines/vaccine-myths-debunked/
That being said, any diet that removes overtly processed junk, is a big yay, in my opinion. Good luck with your GAPS diet. I hope you find it fortifying.
Cheers!

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- Raia on March 14, 2016 at 11:48 am
  Thanks for commenting, Shreyashi! And thank you for sharing that article. It’s always hard to find the balance between the freedom knowledge brings and the fear that can sometimes come when we get overwhelmed with that knowledge. 😉
  I don’t deny that there is a place for vaccines and immunizations (and antibiotics). I’m very grateful for the advances the medical community has made, and I know that they have been very helpful to many, many people the world-over. I do, however, understand that all these things carry with them risks and toxins that people with compromised immune systems may not be able to handle. The GAPS diet seeks to help people who have suffered adverse reactions to these things (among others) heal their immune systems.
  I’m very grateful for the healing I’ve found through the GAPS diet in the past, and I’m hopeful that it will continue to help me. 🙂
  
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joy on April 7, 2017 at 2:34 pm
Hi Raia, I love to read the emails you send out! Thanks for this info. It may be worth a try for me since (as a 58 year old) I suffer with Fibromyalgia, among other issues. I, like you believe that diet plays a major role in our well being. You have some wonderful recipes and I truly love reading them. I’ve been gluten free by choice for several years now. In fact many of my meals are Paleo. Bless you for being who you are and inspiring so many of us!!

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- Raia on April 7, 2017 at 3:45 pm
  Thank you so much, Joy! That was very encouraging. I haven’t done any research into fibromyalgia, but since it is an auto immune disorder, I have no doubt that the GAPS diet would help it.
  
  Reply