
The GAPS diet is a six-stage diet designed to help the gut heal and recover. The duration of the diet varies depending on the individual's health conditions and their body's response. Dr. Campbell-McBride recommends staying on each stage of the diet for 3-5 days. However, those with digestive disorders or psychological conditions may need to stay on the diet for longer. Stage 2 of the GAPS diet is similar to Stage 1, with some additions and modifications. This stage includes egg yolk, ghee, and fermented fish or gravlax. Individuals should stay on this stage for a minimum of 5 days and until major intestinal symptoms disappear. For children with autism, the Extended Stage 2 can last for about 8 months.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How long is stage 2? | A minimum of 5 days and until major intestinal symptoms disappear. However, Dr. Campbell-McBride recommends staying on each stage of the Introduction Diet for 3-5 days. |
| What to eat? | Egg yolks, ghee, gelatinous meats, organ meats, fats, ferments, and eggs. |
| What to drink? | Ginger tea, fresh pressed lemon juice with warm water |
Explore related products
$8.95 $16.99
$26.22 $29.95
$8.99 $19.99
What You'll Learn

How long is stage 2 of the GAPS diet?
The GAPS diet is a six-stage progressive diet designed to use easy-to-digest foods and gradually add new foods over a period of days to weeks to months. The duration of each stage depends on the individual's body response. Dr. Campbell-McBride recommends staying on each stage of the Introduction Diet for 3-5 days. However, some individuals may progress through each stage faster, while those with digestive disorders or psychological conditions may need to stay on the Introduction Diet longer.
Stage 2 of the GAPS diet is an extension of Stage 1, with some additional foods and modifications. It is recommended to stay on Stage 1 for at least 5 days and until severe intestinal symptoms subside before progressing to Stage 2. The duration of Stage 2 is not explicitly mentioned but is likely to be similar to the recommended duration for other stages, which is 3-5 days. However, individuals with certain conditions like Lyme disease, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or MS may need to stay on this stage longer.
During Stage 2, some new foods that can be introduced include egg yolk, ghee, and fermented fish or gravlax. It is important to continue the Stage 1 protocol of drinking meat stock and ginger tea, and adding probiotic food to every cup of meat stock and bowl of soup. Fermented vegetables can also be introduced in this stage, starting with small amounts and gradually increasing as tolerated.
For children with autism, the GAPS diet may include an Extended Stage 2, which can last for about 8 months, during which nuts and fruits are avoided, but cooking methods and juicing from later stages are incorporated.
Burdock Root and FODMAP Diet: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

What to eat in stage 2
The GAPS diet is a restrictive diet that can take up to 2 years to complete. It aims to 'cure' psychological conditions such as autism and dyslexia by changing a person's diet. The GAPS protocol is made up of three main stages, with the introduction phase being the most intense part of the diet. This phase can last from three weeks to one year, depending on your symptoms.
Stage 2 of the GAPS diet is considered the most healing stage of the GAPS Intro protocol. It is recommended that individuals stay on this stage for 3-5 days, although some may need to stay longer. Those with more challenged digestive disorders or psychological conditions may need to stay on the stage for longer.
- Meat stock, 5-6 cups per day for adults, 2-3 cups for children. This can be included in Stage 2 soups and stews.
- Organ meats, marrow, skin, gelatinous meats, and meat close to the bone.
- Raw organic egg yolks, preferably uncooked or runny.
- Ghee.
- Fermented vegetables.
- Roasted, sauteed, and stir-fried vegetables and meats.
- Gravlax.
- 24-hour fermented kefir, if tolerated.
- Fermented dairy products such as yogurt and sour cream.
- Bone broth.
- Ginger tea.
- Probiotic foods.
- GAPS Eggnog (omit nutmeg until Stage 5 and vanilla until Full GAPS).
- GAPS milkshake.
Restarting Your Diet: Strategies to Get Back on Track
You may want to see also
Explore related products

GAPS diet introduction
The GAPS diet is a six-stage progressive diet designed to use easy-to-digest foods and gradually add new foods over a period of days to weeks to months, depending on the individual's response. The GAPS Introduction Diet, comprising the first six stages, lasts between 18 and 30 days, with each stage lasting for 2 to 5 days. However, individuals with digestive disorders or psychological conditions may need to stay on each stage for longer.
Stage 1 of the GAPS Introduction Diet consists of soups with well-cooked meat and vegetables, with broth or tea in between meals. There are no added fats, and the variety of foods is limited. Those experiencing diarrhoea should remain on this stage until it resolves, which may involve removing cooked vegetables.
Stage 2 of the GAPS diet builds upon the foods introduced in Stage 1. It involves continuing to eat soups with bone marrow, boiled meats or fish, and other soft tissues off the bones. Meat stock and ginger tea should also be consumed regularly. Additionally, probiotic food should be added to every cup of meat stock and bowl of soup. The new foods introduced in this stage are egg yolk, ghee, and fermented fish or gravlax.
During Stage 2, individuals can also start to set up ferments and expand their knowledge of fermenting, as these take time to culture. Fermented foods are essential to healing the gut and should be introduced from the beginning of the GAPS diet.
The duration of Stage 2 depends on the individual's response and progress. Dr Campbell-McBride recommends staying on each stage of the Introduction Diet for 3-5 days. However, those with more severe digestive issues or psychological conditions may need to prolong this stage. It is important to monitor symptoms and return to the previous stage if symptoms worsen. For children with autism, the Extended Stage 2 can last about eight months, involving the exclusion of nuts and fruits.
Hydration: Post-Protein Diet Must
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Extended stage 2 for kids with autism
The GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) diet is a strategy designed to target the link between gut health and conditions like autism. It was developed by Dr. Natasha Campbell McBride, a neurologist and nutritionist, and focuses on healing the gut to enhance overall health and well-being. The GAPS protocol is made up of three main stages: the Introduction phase (elimination), the Maintenance phase (GAPS diet), and the Reintroduction phase (transitioning off GAPS).
The Introduction phase, also known as the "gut healing phase", can last anywhere from three weeks to a year. During this phase, individuals eliminate foods that could contribute to gut dysbiosis and inflammation while introducing easy-to-digest foods. The specific duration of the introduction phase depends on the individual's symptoms and progress.
For children with autism, the GAPS diet may be particularly restrictive and challenging. Kids with autism often experience sensory processing issues and picky eating, which can make adhering to a restrictive diet like GAPS difficult. Additionally, there are concerns about potential nutrient deficiencies and malnutrition due to the diet's restrictive nature. As such, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian with experience in autism and dietary interventions before starting the GAPS diet for children with autism. They can help ensure that the diet meets all the child's nutritional needs and address any potential deficiencies.
During the GAPS diet's Extended Stage 2, children with autism will typically stay on this stage for about eight months. This stage involves continuing with the Stage 1 foods while adding some new items. The allowable foods during this stage include:
- Soups with bone marrow, boiled meats or fish, and other soft tissues off the bones
- Meat stock and ginger tea
- Probiotic foods, such as homemade fermented vegetable juices, whey, yogurt, or sour cream
- Raw organic egg yolks, preferably uncooked or runny, added to soups and stews
- Ghee
- Fermented vegetables
- Roasted, sauteed, and stir-fried vegetables and meats
- Fermented dairy products like kefir
- Adrenal support milkshake/GAPS Eggnog (omit nutmeg until Stage 5 and vanilla until Full GAPS)
- Easy-to-digest protein and fats from meat stock, meat, organ meats, and animal fats
It is important to note that the GAPS diet for children with autism should be approached with caution and tailored to the individual child's needs. The diet may not be suitable for all children with autism, and the potential benefits and risks should be carefully considered in consultation with healthcare professionals.
Meal Frequency for a Lean Body
You may want to see also
Explore related products

When to move to the next stage
The GAPS diet is a six-stage progressive diet designed to use easy-to-digest foods and add new foods gradually. The duration of each stage depends on your body's response. Dr. Campbell-McBride recommends staying on each stage of the Introduction Diet for 3-5 days. However, individuals with digestive disorders or psychological conditions may need to stay on each stage longer.
Stage 1 to Stage 2
After you have been on Stage 1 for at least five days and are no longer experiencing severe intestinal symptoms, you can move on to Stage 2. Stage 1 consists of soups with well-cooked meat and vegetables, with broth or tea in between meals. There are no added fats and limited food variety. If you experience diarrhoea, stay on this stage until it resolves, and then move on to Stage 2.
Stage 2 to Stage 3
Stage 2 is very similar to Stage 1, with the addition of egg yolk and fermented fish or gravlax. You can add one separated uncooked egg yolk to your stock and if tolerated, you can increase the number of egg yolks and trial additional Stage 2 foods. If you experience a return of symptoms, stop the new food and return to the previous stage for a couple of days before trying again. You should stay on this stage for a minimum of five days and until major intestinal symptoms have disappeared.
Stage 3 to Stage 4
In Stage 3, you can start adding meats cooked by roasting and grilling. You can also introduce cold-pressed olive oil, starting with a few drops per meal and gradually increasing to 1-2 tablespoons. You can also start adding freshly pressed juices, starting with a few spoonfuls of carrot juice.
Stage 4 to Stage 5
In Stage 4, you can move to sautéing vegetables in healthy fats and then adding stock to make soup. You can also add raw veggies back into your diet.
Stage 5 to Stage 6
In Stage 5, you can add sea salt and fresh cracked pepper to all the Intro recipes. You can also start baking cakes and other sweet things allowed on the diet.
Stage 6 to Full GAPS Diet
After successfully introducing Stage 6 foods for several days with no digestive disruption, you may move to the GAPS Full Diet.
Reduce Cellulite Naturally: Diet Tips for Smooth Skin
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Dr. Campbell-McBride recommends staying on each stage of the GAPS diet for 3-5 days. However, some individuals may move through each stage in as little as two days, while those with more challenged digestive disorders or psychological conditions may need to stay on the Introduction Diet for a longer period of time. In general, you should stay on this stage for a minimum of five days and until major intestinal symptoms have disappeared.
Stage 2 of the GAPS diet is very similar to stage 1, with the addition of egg yolk and fermented fish or gravlax. You can also add fresh herbs, although they should be used in a "bouquet garnish" so that they infuse the soup without being ingested. You should also continue to increase the amount of liquid probiotic foods.
The GAPS diet is a six-stage progressive diet designed to use very easy-to-digest foods and add new foods gradually over a period of days to weeks to months, depending on your body's response. The Introduction Diet lasts eighteen to thirty days (roughly three to five days per stage) and involves removing all foods that might be gut irritants, such as dairy, and then slowly reintroducing certain foods and looking for adverse reactions.
The GAPS diet is not suitable for everyone. Those with Lyme disease, Crohn's, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, bipolar disorder, serious autoimmune conditions, or those who have had part of their bowel removed may need to stay on the earlier stages of the GAPS diet for longer. Children with autism will often stay on Extended Stage 2 for about eight months.









































