GAPS Healing Foods

GAPS is based on the most nutrient dense, healing foods for human health. When we provide our bodies with the building blocks they need to heal and repair, we are supporting it to do the job that it is meant to do! It is incredible how resilient our bodies are when we take away the things that are causing toxicity and inflammation, and provide it with the things that make us thrive. Starting out on GAPS can seem overwhelming, so a great place to start is to learn the healing foods and start introducing them to your diet one by one. We love taking a relaxed step-by-step approach to GAPS at the Well Belly Health Clinic, and gradually introducing the healing foods is something we work on with all of our clients (even if they are not going to do GAPS!). Below is the list of healing foods and why they are so beneficial. It is a great idea to pop them on your fridge and tick them off each day.

1. Meat Stocks- Meat stocks (not bone broths) are the key to healing on GAPS. Meat stocks, according to Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride, are what heals and seals ulcerations in a leaky gut lining.

2. Natural Fats- Dr NCM says that when water is taken away from the body, our dry weight is 50% protein and 50% fat, so fat is very important in the structure of our bodies! Animal fats have the most similar fat profile to human fats, and are the most healing. Extra fats should be added to every meal.

3. Organ Meats- Organs are the most nutrient dense part of an animal, and ideally something we would be eating daily. Organ meats are rich in folate, zinc, iron, B vitamins, and vitamin A just to name a few, and liver is the most nutrient dense organ meat.

4. Fermented Foods- Fermented foods contain lots of enzymes to aid in the digestion of our food, plus most importantly, they are packed with good bacteria to help fight the 'bad' guys and restore our good bacteria. The each have their own specific benefits for example. kombucha is packed with amino acids and B vitamins, and kefir is full of saccromyces boullardii (fantastic for yeast overgrowth).

5. Egg Yolks- Yolks provide essential amino acids and vitamins (B1, B2, B6, B12, A, D & biotin) essential fatty acids, lots of zinc, magnesium and other nutrients. B12 is essential in normal development of the nervous system and immunity. Often GAPS people are deficient in B12 (anaemic) therefore emphasising the need for egg yolks.

6. Cod Liver Oil- Cod liver oil is a fantastic source of omega 3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) and also contains high concentrations of Vitamin A and Vitamin D. It is valuable for its anti-inflammatory benefits, it is great for skin, hair and oral health, and for many people is the turning point in healing.