Our Experience With The GAPS Diet & Reversing Food Allergies (GIVEAWAY)
There are a lot of reasons that I am dismayed by the mainstream medical community. The lack of real science behind their studies and the fact that they seem to exist only to sell pharmaceutical drugs for starters.
But what makes me mad and sad and all sorts of outraged is the fact that the focus is almost entirely on treating symptoms rather than addressing a more systemic problem. Heartburn is treated with stomach acid-lowering drugs when the problem is not enough stomach acid. Statins are prescribed to lower cholesterol, the very substance that helps heal inflammation in your body.
Food is Medicine, Medicine is Food
When I heard this story on NPR the other day (which Kristen also mentioned) I was not surprised by their findings. What did shock me was when the on-air journalist said "Researchers are now finding that ADHD can actually be treated with Diet." As if it is shocking that one’s diet could in any way effect their health and well-being.
And so it is with food allergies. We tell people to avoid foods because they make them sick, but never address why that food makes them sick or why they become sensitive to more foods or why their children become sick from still more foods.
Something is wrong.
Our Experience With the GAPS Diet
I can not say that I know exactly what it’s like to have a food allergy in the family because our family has never been officially diagnosed with one. We have had our own health struggles, though.
After our oldest son was born I had an infection which resulted in me taking antibiotics, which meant that our newborn son also got antibiotics. He and I have both struggled with symptoms of candida over the past few years. And while there are still occasional flare ups (usually due to too much sugar), I seem to have finally shaken off those annoying symptoms, as has our four-year-old.
And how did we do that? Diet. (gasp)
More specifically, we followed a very similar protocol to the one Ann Marie is basing Reversing Food Allergies on in which we:
- Removed all problem foods and started with a very basic diet of bone broths, meats, and vegetables.
- Took high quality probiotics and started eating more fermented foods like sauerkraut, yogurt, and kombucha.
- Slowly reintroduced foods like fruits, nuts, beans, grains, and dairy. As we reintroduced those foods we watched for any symptoms or stomach discomfort.
That is why I recommend the GAPS diet to anyone who suffers from anything related to food. I’ve just seen it work in my family and others.
And that is why I am excited to share Reversing Food Allergies with you. The class is based on the GAPS protocol and for those who need it, the leg work of knowing how to detox, cook, and plan is already done for you.
The GAPS protocol and this class are not promising that your food allergies will be completely reversed like Ann Marie’s.
What it does offer, though, is hope and help to truly heal the body rather than just treat the symptoms. The materials include:
- 12 Weeks of Online Classes
- 50 Video Tutorials
- Over 200 Printable Recipes!
- Online Support Forum for Members Only
Giveaway!
And today Ann Marie is giving away free enrollment to one of you! Just leave a comment below answering the question:
Do you have any food intolerances?
The giveaway will close Sunday night and I will announce the winner Monday morning. You can also check out the full class schedule, including recipes and video topics.
I have celiac disease. I’m also allergic to dairy, and intolerant of soy. I just started the GAPS diet last week, but would love to have more information and guidance, as it seems I have new questions every day! I hope to put my son on the diet soon, too, as he has allergies, as well.
Thanks for the opportunity!
I was just looking up things online for the GAPS diet. I have had lots of strange symptoms lately and am wondering what is going on with my body. I suspect it is food related.
I was diagnosed with IBS a few years ago, and have been battling it ever since. It is so embarassing when it becomes active and I am in public or with someone else. Nobody enjoys sitting outside a public bathroom waiting on a friend to come out. I’ve not been able to pinpoint the cause, and if this diet would help me with that, it would truly be a blessing. Thank you for this opportunity. And thank you for all that you do to encourage us in healthy living.
Blessings!
I saw this on Ann Marie’s blog and I think it is fantastic. I would love to take the course. We have a 6 member family and between us there have been sensitivities/allergies to: oats, rice, dairy, corn, soy and gluten. I Enjoy your blog, Shannon!
I don’t have any food intolerances but my oldest son is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, peas, and sesame. My husband struggles with dairy. So this class would be great for us to get started on the road to reversing food allergies.
I have a whole family with GAPS conditions-from autoimmune disorders to ADD to severe eczema to bed wetting with my 11 yo to the worst case of severe constipation my colon therapist has ever seen! We have been struggling with implementing GAPS on our own with a busy life and trying to figure out all the recipes and such so this would help so much. The diet, the supplements and the books have taken a toll on our finances and I could not afford the class but am 100% committed to this diet!! We are only looking forward and this class would be such a blessing to any who would receive it.
Yes I am intolerant of eggs, dairy, wheat/gluten, most grains. It stinks :/
I do not have any, but my husband is severely struggling with adult ADHD-like symptoms (and has for years). Now his problems are so severe that even HE is considering letting me take him through an elimination diet to see if we can find any solutions. (And he is generally militantly in love with traditional agriculture, thinks corn syrup is just grand, doesn’t see a problem with GMOs, trusts science, traditional health care, etc. and only “endures” my health-foodiness.) Since I was raised to eat and think in the same way, I know this class would benefit us both and would aid me in trying to solve his nutritional problem.
Thank you for yesterday’s post regarding the study in The Lancet; I actually got my husband to read it.
My youngest daughter is severely allergic to peanuts. She also struggles with Candida.
I have food intolerances and have for years. I struggle with dairy (all the good stuff of course! Milk, yogurt, sour cream, cheese, ice cream. . . ), wheat/grain, almonds and apples (of all things!), any artificial preservatives, and a few more. I am very interested in treating these issues, but predominately because I am concerned for the health of my children – if I’m am in as bad a shape as I am, there’s no way that they are getting the nutrients from me (in utero and through nursing) that they need to build healthy bodies.
I’m the only one in my family with diagnosed food sensitivities (lactose intolerance) but we all have ADD and my husband and daughter have very bad seasonal allergies and eczema. I’m very interested in finding out more about this class – I’d be thrilled to win a spot!!
My second child had food allergies from birth. She has grown out of most of them now. BUT now my husband complains of achy joints and thinks it’s a wheat intolerance. My son also has some eczema and diaper issues. Could be diet related. I could really use this class, like everyone else. Just can’t afford it right now. Hope I win.
We currently have our traveling family of 6 on the GAPS diet. So there are a number of symptoms between all of us that I am trying to address. I know that I am sensitive to grains and a few other things, especially sugar.
I can’t eat bananas. My almost 2 year old son has multiple allergies (dairy, wheat,soy, nuts, eggs, beans) that manifest themselves as eczema. I would love to help him overcome his allergies.
My husband suffers with food sensitivities and I am beginning to think that my girls may as well. I am very interested in this course and information.
During my pregnancy I became severely lactose-intolerant. It’s been difficult, but not devastating.
HOWEVER, we recently discovered that my 17 month old daughter has also become lactose intolerant (after about 5 months of having milk from a cow instead of from me).
Our entire family could benefit from this class as I am torn between forgoing milk altogether and giving her soy, which, as we all know, is the most genetically modified food there is. I don’t want to give her that! Rice milk doesn’t have enough protein or calcium. So it seems to me, HEALING her (and my) little tummy would be THE BEST CHOICE. I would love to learn how!
I’ve also become asthmatic and have gotten severe eczema over the last 2 years. I fear they are both food-related, but don’t know how/where to start! Please help us!
Thank you for the opportunity!
Hi, I’m sure that Ido have a food allergies. I have Crohn’s and fibromyalgia. I just do notknow how to go about finding what it is I may be allergic to. I would love to win so I could start feeling better. also my son is autistic, so we could do this process together.Thank you
I have been diagnosed with gluten intolerance. Shortly after I discoverd I have a hard time with dairy, too (though that was not diagnosed). I haven’t had milk in years (other than stealing a sip or two). I miss it !! I’ve recently begun having symptoms of what I think might be candida. So it’s getting worse. I’ve been moving to GAPS for about 1.5 months and I’m already seeing improvement. I’m hoping to at least go back to dairy and possibly gluten (but I won’t mind if I don’t). This is awesome!
We’re considering beginning GAPS at our home, simply because our 5 year old is beginning to display some severe digestion issues (he vomited at dinner because he was “too full”, and we realized there was undigested food from breakfast in the vomit. Identifiable food…) and is already one of the most selective eaters in our home. I’m hoping starting “from scratch” will help him improve, as well as getting all of us on the right track.
I have ulcerative colitis and am sensitive to so many things!
I don’t personally have any food intolerances, but my husband has many issues 🙂 He has atopic dermatitis which is a three-fold hereditary syndrome including dermatitis, asthma, and allergies. When he was young, he was allergic to many things- chocolate, tomatoes, tea tree oil… the list goes on, not to mention seasonal allergies. Now, his food allergies seem to be gone except for when he eats more sugar, the dermatitis gets worse. We have been contemplating whether or not GAPS would help him (I am actually thankful for having him in my life because his issues have spurred us on to a much healthier lifestyle and way of eating) or not, and this would be so helpful to get us going. I am hesitant to begin mostly because I don’t know where to start and with all of the changes we have made recently, my husband is a little tired of losing foods 🙂 The meal plans and info would be great! Thanks.
Ever since I was diagnosed with celiac disease about 2 years ago, I have discovered that I have many food intolerances. A blood test confirmed that I am allergic to soy, corn, oats, and peanuts, but I’ve found that if I eat anything consistently (no matter how organic, natural, or properly prepared), I start reacting to it.
I would love to take this class but budget is going to prevent me from partaking:(. I also wanted to take Nourishing Kitchen classes but was not able to (although I might pick one and spend the $20 to do so).
I have suffered with many body imbalances. But when I realized going gluten free made me feel so much better; I knew I must have been intolerant to it for a long time. I also was on birth control pills in my younger years at the start of my marriage; and later in life I was on all kinds of antibiotics and doctor prescribed junk that wreaked havoc on my system.
In present day I am not on anything and I feel better than I have ever felt in my life. I don’t even take Advil or Aspirin for pain. I feel like the pollution in my body is finally clearing up but it has been a long journey.
It would be great to win the class(es) to further my healing and progress.
Thank you
This sounds like a wonderful course. I wish all of us could win because each of us would benefit! I am not digesting raw foods very well right now as I am doing the GAPS diet. I did not know that until I was on the diet. I hope it will get better as I look forward to my fresh lettuce from my garden in a couple of months.
Thanks for a chance to win.
This should be a very educational class! I have gluten and soy/peanuts issues. At home I know what goes into my food, but eating out is another story. I cook at home 99% of time, for the single reason, ingredients! Thanks for offering the class and a chance to win!!
I have had stomach problems for the past three years that kept getting worse. In November I did the ALCAT test and it came back positive for a slew of food intolerances. The first month went well but I found that if I ate any grains, even the ones it said I could I would instantly get pain in my stomach. It did show up that I was gluten and casein intolerant and that has been a huge help with eliminating those but I found that the longer I go the more foods I am having to take out of my diet instead of being able to reintroduce them. I am down to a few cooked veggies and lamb and fish as the only things I can digest. I also have been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s during this time. Battling these two together has been very hard.
Wow, and I thought I was unusual with all my food related problems. If this many people have problems, think about how many other people out there in the world are going through the same thing. I think the policies of our government and our “health” system have poisoned a whole nation of people. Real positive,,,aren’t I??? At my age, (almost 68) I am allowed to be a big skeptic and I take advantage of that every day, if possible, LOL. My grown son is now starting to exhibit some of the same problems I have had for years, but he still has a “hearing” problem because of what our wonderful system has taught him. But I keep working on him at every opportunity. Good luck to all of you out there dealing with this. Your little ones will one day appreciate the hard work it is taking for you to learn how to help them.
I don’t have any food intolerances, but I would love to learn more about this topic or offer it to my sister (if I win) who suffers with migraines and has a child who may have ADHD.
My interest in the program is to learn how to help my son, who has ADHD, through diet. He’s on board to go gluten-free, but having never done an elimination diet, I’m not sure the best strategy.
Thanks for offering a free enrollment.
I have many food intolerances, which seem to be increasing all the time; I have had digestive issues for more than 10 years (I’m only 29). I am currently eating no gluten or grains at all, no dairy, no eggs, no starchy foods, and really have to limit fruit and nuts. It stinks!! I have been basically doing full GAPS but don’t quite do enough broth. I am planning to go through GAPS Intro with my almost 5 year old daughter who has mild digestive issues soon. It is just a big thing to take on and there is so much stress in life right now anyway! Being able to do the class would help me SO much!
Thank you so much all of the great information on your site. I have had a chronic stuffy nose since I was in fourth grade (I’m 33 now), but doctors could never determine the cause. I have also been lacking energy and having some digestive issues over the last 7 years. It would be so amazing to breathe clearly through my nose again!
oh I would love to put my whole family on this….ADHD, learning problems, low muscle tone, stomach issues, sore muscles….the list goes on!
We recently realized that my son may have a gluten sensitivity. I know this can be reversed, he’s only 6, but the legwork is intimidating. We’ve spent his life trying to figure out what exactly was going on with him and this has pulled together so much of what I’ve read about. I just didn’t know how to put the order together. After doing the research on this, I know it is something that will tremendously help my whole family.
I appreciate the opportunity to win this.
I do not have any prominent food allergies or symptoms, but I am beginning to think my mother does and I would love to be able to help her out. I also have a friend who suffers from pretty severe eczema that has been asking about a more natural method of treatment.
I have a few food intolerance and due to my small bowels being ‘nicked’ during emergency abdominal surgery I lost most of my small bowels and now I am unable to absorb b12 and who knows what else as I cannot afford to be tested.
I would love to be blessed with this giveaway as I am on disability and cannot afford to take the class on my income…thank you so much for the opportunity to participate in this giveaway!!!
Yes, gluten bothers me.
My 16 month old son is corn intolerant/allergic. Poor kid has been through so much. 🙁 This course would be incredibly helpful. Thanks for the opportunity!
I have struggled with food intolerances for years. When my 2 1/2 year old was born by emergency c-section I had antibiotics and therefore he did as well. We now both struggle with candida. He is on supplements to help his gut heal and may need nystatin at some point. I am going to be putting myself on a meat, fermented foods, veggie and low glycemic fruit diet very shortly. No dairy, eggs, soy corn, grains of any kind, legumes, nuts, etc. It’s very overwhelming and I’d love some help. I’m still nursing (who would have thought 🙂 ) and want to heal myself to help heal my son. Thank you so much for the opportunity to receive some help. Maybe the task won’t be quite so daunting. 🙂
Both my daughters have food intolerances. The oldest has had trouble with dairy and the youngest with gluten. I would love to learn how to reverse this!
Hi! I don’t have any food intolerance but my husband is gluten intolerant and my son has food and seasonal allergies. He can’t have milk, egg, peanuts, wheat & fish! We have had him on probiotics and this has helped, but I would love to take this course to learn more, and bring health in to our home!
I don’t have any food intolerances, but when I was pregnant with my 10th baby I felt awful, and a blood test showed I was borderline diabetic. I changed my diet, cutting out sugar and simple carbs, and I felt so much better. Now I realize that sugar makes me crash and that I need to be careful of how I eat, and I am learning, as I get older, how to feed myself and my family so that we don’t develop severe food issues and so we can live healthier lives. My second son became very sick last year (at 23) and realized he probably had a systemic yeast infection. He has gotten it under control through diet, and I am so proud of him! I want to keep learning how to help my children and grandchildren with good food that tastes good, too.
we have extreme dairy/lactose intolerance in our family. Not even a bite is tolerated at any level. There are so many benefits to dairy (raw and cultured especially) I worry we are missing out on essential vitamins and nutrients because of the severity of the allergy.
I discovered that I can’t have gluten, and milk products have always been a problem for me. Thanks for the give-away!
I personally am intolerant to wheat/gluten, eggs, dairy and a few other minor things…my kids have shown sensitivity to the same things plus almonds and peanuts. My dh is intolerant to dairy. So this class would be wonderful! I may not win or be able to do this class right now but I hope to in the future…especially once I’m not pregnant or in the first months post partum.
Oh my, this would be SO helpful for us, especially my 3 boys!
Candice
I’ve never been diagnosed but I feel pretty sure that I have developed gluten intolerance and leaky gut. Maybe dairy too, who knows? Over the past year or so my digestion has gone way downhill and I’m just not willing to feel badly any more. I recently tried a grain free diet for a month and did well with it, which showed me that I am capable of taking on a restrictive diet. The prospect of finally feeling better, AND eventually being able to enjoy bread and everything else out there agan motivates me to sacrifice and do whatever it takes to get well.
I do not have any that I know of, although some things do bother me. My daughter might be intolerant to dairy. 🙁 I would love this course!!
I’ve had infertility problems, lactose intolerance, as well as bowel issues. Started acupuncture but the larger solution I believe would be to heal my intestines.
the only intolerance I get is to dairy and it’s usually when I’m nursing and my baby is sensitive to milk – other than that I have no issues with food, my 7 year old does though, he’s allergic to milk, eggs, nuts and now chocolate
I suffer from Candida….so grains and most nuts as well as sugar are not my friend. Milk and soy are a problem as well.