Read on if you are interested in my GAPS re-introduction post series; I am painfully aware that it is just too much information.  Otherwise, “sayonara” until next time a good-looking recipe pops up or a homeschooling post grabs your eye.  Meanwhile, question if what you feed your mouth is as full of nutrients as your body would like to keep itself free from allergies, headaches, joint pain, or GI distress.  Is it free of ingredients known or suspected by you to lead to hyperactivity, constipation, cravings or sinus congestion in yourself or those you love?  Adios.

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I have officially put off re-introduction, but here is a recap:

Stage 1 consists of broths, meats, some cooked vegetables, and sauerkraut juice.  I did great there, simply omitting chicken as a source of broth or meat.  (Did you know my oldest daughter, before I believed in all this food intolerance stuff,  tested positive for a chicken allergy?  Do I think that some of those tummy aches she used to get so often came from chicken?  You betcha’.   Do you think I think that she was “allergic” to chicken because of my “leaky gut” during pregnancy…)

Stage 2 consists of broths, meats, vegetables, ghee (a type of butter that has allergenic proteins poured off), egg yolks, and sauerkraut juice.  Depending on how those go, you can add in some homemade yogurt.  I didn’t do super awesome with more than 1 teaspoonful of the ghee (headache and tiredness set in an hour or two after each time) so I never attempted the yogurt.   The  egg yolks also gave me headache and tiredness .  So I hovered on Stage 1 and 2, making sure the headaches and fatigue weren’t “all in my head.”  That’s stupid because–it’s all in my head.  Eventually, I decided  I’d have to leave them out.

Stage 3 allowed for pancakes made with nutbutter, veggies, and eggs; avocado; eggs; sauerkraut itself, and still abundant broth, meats, and cooked vegetables..  Avocado went fine overall, aside from some minor FODMAP related bloating.  I skipped anything containing eggs, including the pancakes, but I didn’t think I needed to have to forego the nutbutter; I figured if I could have it in a pancake, I could try it alone… The nutbutter went surprisingly well this time!  Actually, nutbutter went way too well this time.   After the test teaspoonful or two, I delved into finishing off the whole deal in a short time.  Physically, I tolerated the nutbutter okay.  No headaches, dry eyes, and my GI tract didn’t stop moving with the magnesium.  However, once I got a taste of that nutbutter, I ate it way in excess!  That can’t be what’s supposed to happen here in GAPS.

Stage 4 posed no issues with roasted and grilled meats, olive oil, carrot juice, and even a little ghee.  I did not eat any baked goods; no eggs yet.  I  don’t know when roasted vegetables come in, but I ate some roasted vegetables, too.  If I choose high FODMAP foods, I have lots of GI bloating and distension.  It is hard to not choose high FODMAP foods; they are some favorites (broccoli, avocado, Brussels, etc).  You can make an almond flour bread in this stage, but I am still afraid of eggs.

Stage 5 got kind of scattered with stage 6.  It is apparent that nearly all fruits give my stomach fits:  bloating, constipation alternating with diarrhea, and cramps.  Many vegetables do the same.  Juice is great, but I have the same problems.

So here I am again riding along in GAPS.  I have eaten way too much fruit lately, and I’m in a FODMAP folly.  Introduction was helpful because it really reinforced my intake of broth and helped me see clearly again weaknesses in my digestion/function with certain foods.  It allowed me to step back and appreciate the foods that I do tolerate well.  They are delicious, yummy foods, and I am glad that I do well with them.  Yes, eggs and dairy still don’t agree–and nut products need to be saved for special occasions if I care to indulge–but turkey, steak, shrimp, fish, kale,  spaghetti squash, a touch of garlic, olive oil, and so many other foods are great tasting and great for me.

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What I really want you to know is this.  I got out my journals and food diaries from when I started GAPS before.  As I looked through, I saw it.  Early on I got fatigue and headaches and brain fog with chicken and eggs.  I just didn’t know that’s what it was!  So, I am NOT getting more food reactions on GAPS.  I’m just getting more aware of them.  That may not be true for some people, but that’s my case.

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So, there you have it.  A redo of GAPS Intro.  I’m still going to keep this GAPS self-experiment up with a goal of two years to see where it leaves my digestion and food intolerances.  You’ll find me hard pressed to do introduction again.  I’d rather go ketogenic…

Related Posts:  GAPS Intro, GAPS (Re) Intro, Twelve Thoughts fro Twelve Days of GAPS Intro, Random Thoughts From Day 19 of GAPS Introduction

Posts in the draft bin:  Ways I Try to Stay on the Wagon and An Update on the Church Snack Policy