GAPS Diet should be followed for at least 1.5 – 2 years. Depending on the severity of the condition, some people recover quicker; others take much longer. Your patient needs to show at least 6 months of normal digestion before introducing non-GAPS Diet foods such as new potatoes and fermented gluten-free grains (buckwheat, millet, and quinoa).
Introduce one food at a time and always start from a small amount: give the client a small portion of the new food and watch for any reaction for 2-3 days. If no digestive problems are returning or there are any other typical symptoms for your patient, try another portion in a few days. If there are no reactions, gradually increase the amount of the food. These are starchy foods, so do not forget to serve them with good amounts of fat (butter, olive oil, any animal fat, coconut oil, etc.) to slow down starch digestion. Do not rush with the introduction of these new foods, it may take several months to do it properly.
Once new potatoes and fermented grains are introduced, try to make sourdough with good quality wheat or rye flour. You can make pancakes or bread with the sourdough. I would recommend a wonderful book by Sally Fallon “Nourishing Traditions” for a wealth of recipes. Once sourdough is well-tolerated you may be able to buy commercially available good quality sourdough breads.
At that stage you may find that your patient can digest buckwheat, millet and quinoa without fermenting them prior to cooking. Gradually you will find that you can introduce various starchy vegetables, grains and beans.
YOUR ClIENT WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO GO BACK TO THE TYPICAL MODERN DIET FULL OF SUGAR, ARTIFICIAL AND PROCESSED INGREDIENTS AND OTHER HARMFUL FOODS. USE THE YEARS OF FOLLOWING GAPS NUTRITIONAL PROTOCOL FOR DEVELOPING HEALTHY EATING HABITS FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES!
Conclusion:
At first glance, GAPS Diet appears to be difficult. However, it is a very wholesome and healthy diet that will allow your clients to heal, seal the gut lining, and lay a strong foundation for good health for the rest of their lives. It means that most GAPS people do not have to adhere to a special diet for the rest of their lives: once the digestive system starts functioning normally, they can gradually introduce the most wholesome foods commonly eaten worldwide. Some people achieve this target in 2 years, some take longer – it depends on the severity of the condition and the age of the person: children generally recover quicker than adults.
Once introduced, the GAPS diet is no more difficult than normal cooking and feeding the family. Shopping is very simple: just buy everything fresh and unprocessed.