5 Unexpected Benefits of GAPS Diet

Heather Dessinger

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gaps diet benefits

When our family started eating based on the GAPS Diet, I didn’t know what to expect. It was an exploratory journey filled with bone broth, bone broth, and, well… more bone broth. While that initial phase may not have been the most exciting, I noticed 5 unexpected benefits of GAPS Diet for our family along the way.

Benefit #1: No One Ever Asks What’s For Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner

Because it’s always soup! Yes, there’s some variety . . . butternut squash soup, broccoli and beef soup, chicken carrot stew . . . but no matter the question, the answer is SOUP.

Benefit #2:We’re Finally Getting Some Respect

For years people have looked at us like we’re aliens for our food choices. Not that I blame them. What other family have you recently overheard saying ““I said I’m ready to talk about how many chicken bones you got, not how many bodies are in the fridge“??? Yeah, that really happened.

But hey, now that we’re “on a diet” people finally seem to “get” us. Seriously, whether I eat jelly beans all day or nothing but ghee and squash, as long as I call it a diet everyone’s on board. I’m trying to figure out how to apply this loophole to situations other than food. 🙂

Benefit #3: Eat Fat, Lose Fat

Since the late 1950’s, we’ve been barraged by the message that fat makes you fat, saturated fats (such as those found in butter, eggs, and red meat) are unhealthy, and tropical fats and oils (like coconut and palm) are downright deadly. And yet-despite our dutiful efforts to eliminate saturated fats from our diet for fear of high cholesterol levels and hardened arteries-obesity, heart disease, and cancer rates have continued to climb.

Based on more than two decades of research by world-renowned biochemist and fats expert Dr. Mary Enig, Eat Fat, Lose Fat flouts conventional wisdom by asserting that so-called “healthy” vegetable oils (such as soybean and corn) are in large part responsible for our national obesity and health crises, while the saturated fats traditionally considered “harmful” (such as those found in coconut oil and butter) are, in fact, essential to weight loss and health.

Eat Fat, Lose Fat (emphasis mine)

Sheesh. In  the last couple of months I finally caved and read one teeny-tiny little diet book . . . now here I am quoting another one! It’s true, though. The intro diet is very high in FAT and protein, yet my husband has shed at least another 10 pounds.

Here he is one  month ago (before starting GAPS) and today. It’s hard to tell because of the lighting, but the dark circle under his eyes are becoming lighter, too.

Screen Captures

Benefit #4: I Started A Bucket List

This is not a list of things to do before I die, it’s simply a list of times I’ve had to use the puke bucket since starting GAPS. So far, twice. To my complete surprise I have had two massive detox episodes. This was completely unintentional since I do not want to detox too heavy while breastfeeding, and yet its a testament to the healing power of this diet.

I’m not taking herbs or any supplements except for cod liver oil. This is just food, healing me from the inside out. Before starting GAPS I had no health complaints except tiredness. I had a baby seven months ago, so that seemed pretty normal. However, following both detox days I had a surge of energy and increased mental clarity. It feels like someone is walking through the rooms of my mind and opening windows. Fresh air and light are pouring in, and although I still miss the high of my morning coffee, I don’t actually need it anymore.

Benefit #5: My Picky Eater Has Become A Chowhound

The days of negotiating over veggies are gone. My girl begs for sauerkraut, silver dollar squash cakes, and plain raw yogurt. Her palate has expanded significantly and she is doing great at trying new things. She even compliments my meals!

I have become a chowhound, too, only some of my feasts involve illegal peanut butter jars in the garage while no one is looking. 🙂

Do you think your family might benefit from GAPS, but not sure if you want to take the plunge? I have great news for you! Cara at Health Home Happy, who knows MUCH more about GAPS than I do, will be doing a Q&A post here on Mommypotamus. Tell us your questions/concerns about GAPS, and we’ll help out if we can. So leave a comment and tell us what you want to know!!

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About HEATHER

Heather is a holistic health educator, herbalist, DIYer, Lyme and mold warrior. Since founding Mommypotamus.com in 2009, Heather has been taking complicated health research and making it easy to understand. She shares tested natural recipes and herbal remedies with millions of naturally minded mamas around the world.