
The GAPS diet is a restrictive diet intended for the natural treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and other mental health conditions. GAPS stands for Gut and Psychology Syndrome. The diet is based on the idea that a leaky gut allows chemicals and bacteria to enter the bloodstream, which can then affect brain function and development. The GAPS diet involves cutting out grains, pasteurized dairy, starchy vegetables, and refined carbohydrates, and replacing them with nutrient-rich foods such as broths, stews, and probiotic foods. The diet is meant to be followed for a minimum of 18-24 months, and there is a strong online community that provides support and guidance for those following the diet. However, it is important to note that there is limited scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of the GAPS diet in treating the conditions it claims to, and some experts warn that the restrictive nature of the diet may lead to nutritional deficiencies.
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What You'll Learn
- The GAPS diet is a strict elimination diet that cuts out grains, pasteurised dairy, starchy vegetables and refined carbs
- The diet is based on the idea that a 'leaky gut' can cause chemicals and bacteria to enter the bloodstream and affect brain function
- The diet is intended to treat autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other mental health conditions
- The GAPS diet is not backed by rigorous medical studies and is considered too restrictive by some medical professionals
- The diet consists of three phases: introduction, full GAPS, and

The GAPS diet is a strict elimination diet that cuts out grains, pasteurised dairy, starchy vegetables and refined carbs
The GAPS diet is an acronym for Gut and Psychology Syndrome, a term coined by Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride, who also designed the diet. The core belief of the GAPS diet is that a 'leaky gut' allows chemicals and bacteria from food and the environment to enter the bloodstream. It is claimed that this can then affect brain function and development, causing brain fog and conditions such as autism, ADHD and dyslexia.
The GAPS diet is a restrictive diet, intended for the natural treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia and other mental health conditions. It is not a weight-loss diet. The diet is most often used for children, especially those with conditions that mainstream medicine does not fully understand, such as autism. It is also used by adults to improve digestive problems.
The GAPS diet cuts out grains, pasteurised dairy, starchy vegetables and refined carbohydrates. It recommends eating broths, stews and probiotic foods, and suggests that 85% of what you consume daily should be meats (including organ meats), fish, eggs, fermented dairy (if well tolerated), and vegetables (well-cooked, raw, and fermented). The diet also recommends eating animal fats, coconut oil or cold-pressed olive oil at every meal.
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The diet is based on the idea that a 'leaky gut' can cause chemicals and bacteria to enter the bloodstream and affect brain function
The GAPS diet, short for Gut and Psychology Syndrome, is a strict elimination diet created by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. The diet is based on the idea that a leaky gut can cause chemicals and bacteria to enter the bloodstream and affect brain function, leading to various psychological, neurological, and behavioural issues.
The core belief of the GAPS diet is that by eliminating certain foods, you can improve gut health and, consequently, overall physical and mental health. The diet involves cutting out grains, pasteurised dairy, starchy vegetables, and refined carbohydrates. It is important to note that the GAPS diet is very restrictive and may be challenging to follow. It requires cooking all meals from scratch and can last for a minimum of 18-24 months, with some sources stating up to 2 years.
The GAPS diet is often used as an alternative therapy for various conditions, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and other mental health, behavioural, and mood disorders. Dr. Campbell-McBride, who also claims the diet cured her first child of autism, believes that poor nutrition and a leaky gut contribute to the development of these conditions. However, it is important to note that there is limited scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of the GAPS diet in treating these conditions.
The GAPS diet consists of three main stages: the introduction phase, the full GAPS diet, and the reintroduction phase. The introduction phase, also known as the "gut healing phase," can last from three weeks to a year and involves the most restrictive diet, eliminating the most foods. This phase includes consuming homemade bone broth, juices from probiotic foods, and drinking herbal teas. The full GAPS diet expands the food choices and can last for a minimum of 18-24 months. It includes meats, fish, eggs, fermented dairy, and vegetables. The final reintroduction phase can also be a lengthy process, as foods are slowly reintroduced one at a time over several months.
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The diet is intended to treat autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other mental health conditions
The GAPS diet is a strict elimination diet that requires its followers to cut out grains, pasteurised dairy, starchy vegetables, and refined carbohydrates. GAPS stands for Gut and Psychology Syndrome. The diet was developed by Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride, who believes that a "leaky gut" causes many conditions that affect the brain. Leaky gut syndrome is the term used to describe an increase in the permeability of the gut wall, which allows chemicals and bacteria from food and the environment to enter the bloodstream. It is claimed that once these foreign substances enter the blood, they can affect brain function and development, causing “brain fog” and conditions like autism.
The GAPS diet is promoted as a natural treatment for people with conditions that affect the brain, such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other mental health conditions. Many children with autism experience significant digestive problems, including diarrhoea, constipation, and bloating. Dr Campbell-McBride's theory is that children develop autism due to poor nutrition and leaky gut syndrome. She claims that the GAPS diet can "cure" or improve symptoms of autism. In her book, she states that the GAPS diet cured her first child of autism. She also states that the diet can help children with food intolerances or allergies.
The GAPS diet is a controversial therapy that has been widely criticised by doctors, scientists, and nutrition professionals for its restrictive regimen. There is currently little evidence to suggest that a leaky gut causes these conditions. The diet is also extremely difficult to follow, as it requires cooking all food from scratch. There are also concerns that cutting out so many healthy foods may lead to nutritional deficiencies.
The GAPS diet is a lengthy process that can last for around 1.5 to 2 years. It consists of three main stages: the introduction phase, the gut-healing phase, and the full diet phase. The introduction phase is the most intense part of the diet, eliminating the most foods, and can last from three weeks to one year, depending on the individual's symptoms. The gut-healing phase involves adding in more foods, such as raw organic egg yolks, ghee, and meat or fish stews. The full diet phase includes a wider variety of foods, such as grilled meats, olive oil, and raw vegetables.
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The GAPS diet is not backed by rigorous medical studies and is considered too restrictive by some medical professionals
The GAPS diet, which stands for Gut and Psychology Syndrome, is a strict elimination diet that cuts out grains, pasteurised dairy, starchy vegetables, and refined carbohydrates. The diet is intended to treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, and other mental health conditions. It is based on the idea that a "leaky gut" allows chemicals and bacteria to enter the bloodstream and affect brain function. However, it is important to note that the GAPS diet is not backed by rigorous medical studies and is considered too restrictive by some medical professionals.
The GAPS diet was developed by Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride, a physician and author with post-graduate degrees in neurology and nutrition. Her core belief is that diet plays a fundamental role in brain function and that improving gut health can improve other health conditions. The diet consists of three main stages: the introduction phase, the full diet, and the reintroduction phase. The introduction phase is the most intense part of the diet, eliminating the most foods and lasting from three weeks to one year. This phase includes homemade bone broth, juices from probiotic foods, and herbal teas. The full diet includes more nutrient-dense, healing foods, such as meats, fish, eggs, and vegetables. The reintroduction phase can also be a long process, as foods are slowly reintroduced one at a time over several months.
While there are many testimonials claiming improvement from following the GAPS diet, there is limited published evidence to support its effectiveness in treating psychological or behavioural conditions. Some medical professionals warn that the diet is too restrictive and may lead to nutritional deficiencies. The GAPS diet does not include any grains, which means it does not adhere to the USDA's dietary guidelines. Additionally, the diet eliminates legumes, which are a good source of protein and fibre. Overall, there are concerns that the GAPS diet may not provide all the necessary nutrients and could potentially do more harm than good.
It is important to note that the GAPS diet is not a weight-loss diet and should not be undertaken without first consulting a doctor or healthcare practitioner. While it may help improve gut health and overall health by encouraging the consumption of fewer processed foods and more fruits, vegetables, and natural fats, it is not a cure-all and should be approached with caution. More research is needed to fully understand the potential benefits and risks of the GAPS diet.
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The diet consists of three phases: introduction, full GAPS, and
The GAPS diet, short for Gut and Psychology Syndrome, is a strict elimination diet that cuts out grains, pasteurized dairy, starchy vegetables, and refined carbohydrates. It is based on the theory that a "leaky gut" allows chemicals and bacteria from food and the environment to enter the bloodstream and affect brain function and development, causing conditions like autism. The diet consists of three phases: introduction, full GAPS, and reintroduction.
The introduction phase, also known as the "gut healing phase," is the most intense and restrictive part of the diet, eliminating the most foods. It can last from three weeks to one year, depending on the individual's symptoms. This phase focuses on consuming homemade bone broth, juices from probiotic foods and ginger, herbal teas, and, for those who are not dairy intolerant, unpasteurized, homemade yogurt or kefir. Raw organic egg yolks, ghee, and stews or soups made with vegetables, meat, or fish are also included.
The full GAPS phase expands the food choices and can last for a minimum of 18 to 24 months. It includes nutrient-dense, healing foods such as meat, fish, eggs, stocks/broths, fermented dairy (if well tolerated), and vegetables. Baked goods made from nut and/or seed flours and fruit are allowed but should be consumed in moderation. This phase is similar to the keto and paleo diets in its emphasis on meats, fish, and vegetables.
The reintroduction phase is a slow process that can take several months. It involves gradually reintroducing other foods into the diet, one at a time, in small amounts. The GAPS diet suggests starting with new potatoes and fermented, gluten-free grains. Even after completing the GAPS diet, individuals are advised to continue avoiding highly processed and refined high-sugar foods, maintaining the whole-foods approach.
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Frequently asked questions
The GAPS diet is a restrictive elimination diet that cuts out grains, pasteurised dairy, starchy vegetables, and refined carbohydrates. It is based on the idea that a "leaky gut" can cause chemicals and bacteria to enter the bloodstream and lead to health issues, including mental health conditions. The diet is intended to treat autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other mental health conditions, especially in children.
The GAPS diet has three main phases: the introduction phase, the full diet phase, and the reintroduction phase. The introduction phase is the most restrictive and can last from three weeks to a year, depending on symptoms. This phase includes bone broth, juices from probiotic foods, herbal teas, and raw organic egg yolks. The full diet phase includes a wider variety of foods, such as meats, fish, eggs, and some fruits and vegetables. The reintroduction phase can begin after experiencing normal digestion and bowel movements for at least six months.
The GAPS diet recommends nutrient-dense, healing foods such as meat stocks, broths, soups, fermented foods, and vegetables. It encourages the consumption of animal fats, coconut oil, or cold-pressed olive oil at every meal. Baked goods made from nut and/or seed flours and fruit are allowed but should be consumed in moderation.
The GAPS diet eliminates grains, sugars, and simple starches. It restricts pasteurised dairy, recommending fermented dairy products like yoghurt and kefir instead. Processed and packaged foods are also avoided, and it is suggested to only heat food on the stove or in the oven, not in the microwave.


























