
The GAPS diet, which stands for Gut and Psychology Syndrome, is a diet designed by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. The diet is based on the theory that a leaky gut can cause various conditions that affect the brain, and aims to heal the gut and prevent toxins from entering the bloodstream. The GAPS diet consists of three main stages: the introductory phase, the full GAPS diet, and the reintroduction phase. During the introductory phase, the diet is very restrictive, allowing only certain homemade foods such as meat, fish stock, non-starchy vegetables, and fermented dairy products. The full GAPS diet expands the food choices to include all nutrient-dense, healing foods, with an emphasis on animal protein, non-starchy vegetables, and fermented foods. So, is bacon allowed on the full GAPS diet?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet type | Gut and Psychology Syndrome (GAPS) |
| Diet creator | Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride |
| Diet goal | Heal the gut to prevent toxins from entering the bloodstream and lower "toxicity" in the body |
| Diet duration | Minimum of 18-24 months |
| Allowed foods | Meat, fish, eggs, fermented dairy (if well tolerated), vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, garlic, olive oil, bone broth, coconut oil, animal fats, fermented foods |
| Foods to avoid | Grains, sugar, potatoes, parsnips, yams, sweet potatoes, starchy vegetables, refined carbs, preservatives, artificial colorings, bread, cereal, crackers, pasta, cakes, cookies, conventional baked goods |
| Bacon allowed? | Yes, but preferably "uncured" bacon without sweeteners, additives, or artificial flavors |
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What You'll Learn

Bacon is allowed on the GAPS diet
The GAPS diet, short for Gut and Psychology Syndrome, was designed by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. The diet is based on the theory that a leaky gut causes many conditions that affect the brain. The GAPS protocol is designed to heal the gut, preventing toxins from entering the bloodstream and lowering toxicity in the body. The diet is most often used for children, especially those with health conditions that mainstream medicine may not fully understand, such as autism.
The GAPS diet is made up of three main stages. The first is the introductory phase, which is the most intense part of the diet as it involves eliminating the most foods. The introductory phase can last from three weeks to a year, depending on the individual's symptoms. During this phase, the diet recommends homemade meat, chicken, or fish stock; homemade soup made with stock and non-starchy vegetables; homemade fermented foods; homemade fermented dairy products; organic egg yolks; and avocado.
The second stage involves adding grilled and roasted meats, cold-pressed olive oil, vegetable juice, and GAPS-recipe bread. The third stage introduces cooked apple puree, raw vegetables, fruit juice, and small amounts of raw fruit, excluding citrus fruits.
Once the introduction diet is complete, you can move on to the full GAPS diet, which includes all the nutrient-dense, healing foods from the introductory phase but expands the food choices. The full GAPS diet is similar to the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), ketogenic, paleo, and primal nutritional protocols, with some differences in dairy and macronutrient ratios.
The full GAPS diet recommends that 85% of your daily intake should consist of meats (including organ meats), fish, stocks/broths, eggs, fermented dairy (if well tolerated), and vegetables (well-cooked, raw, and fermented). Bacon is allowed on the GAPS diet, as it falls under the category of meat products. However, it is recommended to choose uncured bacon without artificial flavors or sweeteners.
It is important to note that the GAPS diet is a restrictive diet, and some experts worry that the numerous restrictions may increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies. As with any diet, it is essential to speak with your doctor or healthcare practitioner before starting the GAPS diet to ensure it is safe and appropriate for your individual needs.
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Uncured bacon is best
The GAPS diet, which stands for Gut and Psychology Syndrome, is a diet designed by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. It is based on the theory that a '
The GAPS diet is split into three main stages, with the first being the most restrictive. This introductory phase can last from three weeks to one year, depending on the individual's symptoms. The first stage includes homemade meat, chicken, or fish stock; non-starchy vegetables; homemade fermented foods; homemade fermented dairy products; organic egg yolks; and avocado. The full GAPS diet includes all the nutrient-dense, healing foods from the introductory phase but expands the food choices according to the allowed and non-allowed foods list. Generally, 85% of what you consume daily on the Full GAPS Diet should be meats (including organ meats), fish, stocks/broths, eggs, fermented dairy (if well tolerated), and vegetables (well cooked, raw, and fermented).
The GAPS diet is grain-free and refined-sugar-free, and it eliminates many foods that are claimed to irritate the gut lining. These include bread, cereal, crackers, pasta, cakes, cookies, baked goods, grains, pasteurized dairy, starchy vegetables, and refined carbs. Fermented dairy products are allowed, as they do not irritate the gut lining in the same way as non-fermented dairy.
The GAPS diet allows all types of animal protein, but they must be cooked and served with allowed sauces and spices. This means that animal proteins are usually homemade. Bacon is allowed on the GAPS diet, and uncured bacon is best as it does not contain any additives. Store-bought bacon usually contains sweeteners, so it is recommended to get nitrate-free bacon with no artificial flavours.
The GAPS diet is a restrictive diet that requires a lot of commitment, and it is always best to speak with your doctor or healthcare practitioner before beginning any new diet.
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Store-bought bacon often contains sweeteners
The GAPS diet, which stands for Gut and Psychology Syndrome, is a diet designed by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. The diet is based on the theory that a ""leaky gut" can cause conditions that affect the brain, such as autism. The GAPS diet is meant to heal the gut and prevent toxins from entering the bloodstream, reducing "toxicity" in the body.
The diet is typically started with an introductory phase, which involves eating homemade meat, chicken, or fish stock, non-starchy vegetables, and fermented foods and dairy. Once an individual's digestive symptoms have improved, they can move on to the full GAPS diet, which includes a wider variety of foods. The full GAPS diet is recommended for a minimum of 18-24 months, and it is advised that 85% of what is consumed daily should be meats (including organ meats), fish, stocks/broths, eggs, fermented dairy, and vegetables.
Bacon is allowed on the GAPS diet, and it is often used as one of the foods to help individuals transition to the diet emotionally. However, store-bought bacon often contains sweeteners, additives, and artificial flavors. Therefore, it is recommended to opt for nitrate-free bacon without artificial flavors when following the GAPS diet. Uncured bacon, which only contains meat and celery juice as ingredients, is considered legal on the GAPS diet.
It is important to note that there is limited evidence to support the claims of the GAPS diet, and experts worry that the diet's numerous restrictions may increase the risk of nutrient deficiencies. As with any diet, it is essential to speak with a healthcare practitioner before beginning the GAPS diet.
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Bacon is a good food to ease yourself into the diet
The GAPS diet is an elimination diet designed to heal the gut and prevent toxins from entering the bloodstream. It stands for Gut and Psychology Syndrome, a term coined by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride, who also designed the diet. The GAPS diet is typically recommended for children, especially those with health conditions that are not fully understood by mainstream medicine, such as autism.
The GAPS diet is divided into three main stages: the introductory phase, the Full GAPS Diet, and the reintroduction phase. The introductory phase is the most restrictive, eliminating many foods to allow the gut to "heal and seal." This phase can last anywhere from three weeks to one year, depending on the individual's symptoms. The Full GAPS Diet expands the food choices according to the allowed and non-allowed foods list. It is recommended that individuals stay on this phase for a minimum of 18-24 months. The reintroduction phase comes after experiencing normal digestion and bowel movements for at least 6 months.
Bacon is a food that can be included in the GAPS diet, especially during the introductory phase, to help ease yourself into the diet. It is important to choose uncured bacon or bacon without artificial ingredients, sweeteners, or nitrates. Bacon can provide a sense of familiarity and satisfaction, making it easier to stick to the GAPS diet. Additionally, bacon is a good source of animal protein, which is allowed and encouraged on the GAPS diet.
When including bacon in the GAPS diet, it is important to ensure that it is consumed in moderation and not eaten together with fruit, as the GAPS diet recommends keeping these food groups separate. It is also crucial to be mindful of any individual sensitivities or intolerances to bacon, as everyone's experience with the GAPS diet may vary.
Overall, bacon can be a helpful food to include when starting the GAPS diet, providing a sense of familiarity and satisfaction while still adhering to the diet's guidelines.
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Bacon should be cooked and served with allowed sauces and spices
Bacon is allowed on the Full GAPS Diet, but it should be cooked and served with allowed sauces and spices. The GAPS diet is extremely restrictive and requires cooking all meals from scratch. No store-bought convenience foods, such as sauces, are allowed. The Full GAPS Diet includes nutrient-dense, healing foods, with 85% of daily consumption consisting of meats, fish, stocks/broths, eggs, fermented dairy (if tolerated), and vegetables. Meats should be fresh or frozen from high-quality sources, and bacon can be cured at home without nitrates and sugar.
When cooking bacon for the Full GAPS Diet, it is best to use a cast-iron skillet for frying or a smoker for a smoky flavor. Another option is to cook bacon in the oven on a stainless steel baking tray, which is a quick and convenient method when feeding a large group. The GAPS diet emphasizes the importance of tailoring the diet to individual health and lifestyle needs. It is recommended to combine vegetables (raw, fermented, or cooked) with meats and fish at each meal to balance pH.
To cure bacon at home, start with meat from a local farmer or a trusted source. If the meat is not pre-cut into bacon slices, use a meat slicer or sharp butcher knife to slice it evenly. The curing process involves coating the meat with salt and optional natural sugar like maple or cane sugar (omit the sugar if following the GAPS diet). Place the meat, fat side down, in a tub with holes, and add another layer of salt. Repeat this process, placing the meat in the refrigerator for 5 days between layers. After curing, the bacon can be smoked or fried on a cast-iron skillet.
Allowed sauces and spices for the Full GAPS Diet include sea salt, white or black pepper, and dried herbs. Fermented condiments and GAPS-approved recipes for fermentation are encouraged. It is important to note that plant oils should be consumed raw and not used for cooking. Baked goods, fruit, nuts, seeds, and honey should be limited or avoided, especially if candida and SIBO are present. The Full GAPS Diet is grain-free and refined sugar-free, focusing on healing the gut and improving overall health.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, bacon is allowed on the full GAPS diet. However, it is recommended to opt for “uncured" bacon without sweeteners, additives, or artificial flavours.
GAPS stands for Gut and Psychology Syndrome. It is a diet designed by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride to heal the gut and prevent toxins from entering the bloodstream, thus lowering "toxicity" in the body. The diet is most often used for children with health conditions that are not fully understood by mainstream medicine, such as autism.
The GAPS diet includes all nutrient-dense, healing foods from the Introduction Diet, such as meat stocks/broths, soups, and fermented foods. It expands food choices to include meat, fish, eggs, some fermented dairy (if well tolerated), vegetables (cooked, raw, and fermented), and fruits.
The GAPS diet eliminates grains, sugar, starchy vegetables (like potatoes and parsnips), refined carbs, preservatives, artificial colorings, and pasteurized dairy. It is important to note that the GAPS diet is restrictive, and experts worry about the risk of nutrient deficiencies.










































