GAPS* VERSUS OTHER POPULAR DIETS

Every diet has benefits and every diet has limitations. I’m not here to knock any of them down! I’m only here to compare the similarities and differences. This helps you to understand the extent of the GAPS* Protocol and how much more in depth it goes. If you are currently on a particular diet and wanting to make the switch, you’ll be able to see the additional requirements you’ll be implementing when you transition onto the GAPS* Protocol.

Most popular diets focus solely on food. The GAPS* Protocol focuses on both food and on the surrounding environment. This blog post we will only focus on comparing the food aspect. But keep in mind that there are additional lifestyle changes that are apart of the GAPS* Protocol (eg. detoxification & toxin elimination/reduction).

Here is a list of some GAPS* food items & preparation techniques that other diets often do not mention or include:

1. Properly prepared Meat Stock – Meat stock is a staple of the GAPS* diet. It is medicinal for the gut, helping to heal and seal it.

2. Fermented Foods – Fermentation not only makes your food more digestible, but it improves the nutrient quality and introduces beneficial bacteria into the gut.

3. Fermented Dairy – Fermentation reduces the lactose content (aka milk-sugar that is often difficult to digest), but it also introduces beneficial bacteria/yeast into the gut.

4. Pre-Digested Nuts, Seeds, Beans, Legumes & Grains – The process of soaking, sprouting or fermenting helps to make them more digestible and reduces anti-nutrients (or enzyme inhibitors).

5. Eliminate Processed Foods & Processed Carb/Sugars

6. Sourcing Better Quality Food

If you were wanting to explore the possibility of transition onto the GAPS* diet (from one of the following diets listed below), here is what you would need to incorporate food-wise:

(click on the diet below to be redirected to a website that summarizes the dietary considerations)

• Paleo – At minimum you would need to incorporate items #1, #2, #4 (for nuts/seeds) and #6 listed above. If you wanted to start consuming dairy, beans, grains or legumes (as these are avoided on Paleo, but can be included in GAPS*), then you would need to incorporate items #3 and #4. And you would also need to exclude starchy veggies such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, parsnips, etc. as they are not included on GAPS*.

• Keto – At minimum you would need to incorporate items #1, #2, #3, #4 (for nuts/seeds) and #6 listed above. If you wanted to start consuming beans, grains or legumes (as these are avoided on Keto, but can be included in GAPS*), then you would need to incorporate pre-digestion techniques for these foods.

• Weston A. Price – This is very similar to GAPS*, as it already incorporates items #1-#6, with the exception that you would need to incorporate unprocessed sugar from item #5 listed above.

• Only a few of the most popular diets have been listed above. If you are currently on a particular diet that is not listed above, but want to see what you would need to incorporate if you transitioned onto GAPS*, feel free to book a Free 30-Minute Discovery Session where we can discuss this further.

(Side Note: If you’re not up for the challenge of transitioning onto GAPS*, then Keto or the Weston A. Price is a great alternative, one that the Author would highly recommend exploring in lieu of GAPS*)

Hopefully this offers a bit of insight to those that are expressing an interest in transitioning onto GAPS*. Whether you do, or do not, transition onto GAPS*, I wish you all the best on your healing journey going forward regardless of the diet you choose!

Tania

Book a FREE Discovery Session