Wondering which GAPS diet book to read for your personal situation? This GAPS diet book comparison will help!
GAPS Diet Book Comparison
The GAPS diet is a nutritional protocol designed by neurologist and nutritionist Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. The idea behind the GAPS diet is that many psychological and neurological conditions stem from an unhealthy gut. Dr. Natasha has two GAPS diet plan books. Let’s compare them! My GAPS diet book review will include the differences and similarities between the books, why Natasha wrote them, and which one you should read, depending on your situation and goals.
Are you looking for healthy GAPS recipes? I have lots of GAPS intro and full GAPS recipes here, including roast chicken and blueberry muffins.
Also, be sure to take a look at my Free GAPS Diet Essential Recipes eBook. I also offer a simple 30-day meal plan for the GAPS intro diet. This meal plan is perfect for anyone interested in following the GAPS intro but unsure what to eat (and how to cook it) every day.
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Understanding the GAPS Diet insights from Natasha Campbell-McBride
GAPS, or Gut and Psychology Syndrome, was invented by Dr. Natasha, who also developed the GAPS diet. Her theory is that many conditions that affect the brain and physical health are caused by leaky gut syndrome and an imbalance in gut flora. A leaky gut is an increase in the permeability of the gut wall. In other words, she says that if your gut lining is damaged, it can allow partially digested food and toxins to enter your bloodstream when they wouldn’t normally. Also, she says that gut flora imbalance leads to many health issues.
Once certain substances enter your bloodstream through a leaky gut, Dr. Natasha says that they can affect brain function and development, causing many different neurological and psychological conditions. In her GAPS diet protocol books, Dr. Natasha explains how to follow the GAPS protocol to help various conditions.
There are so many accounts of the GAPS diet alleviating numerous medical conditions. But knowing which foods to eat on GAPS and what to avoid can be a little confusing. If you’re thinking of using the GAPS diet, I highly recommend reading at least one of Dr. Natasha’s GAPS books before you begin your journey.
GAPS Diet Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride’s book differences
Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride wrote two GAPS diet books. The first is Gut and Psychology Syndrome (the yellow book). She originally wrote this book in 2004 and released an expanded version in 2011. Be sure to pick up the newer addition that includes more GAPS diet resources, like The Introduction Diet, and covers more information. The second book, Gut and Physiology Syndrome (the blue book), came out in 2020.
So, what is the difference between these two essential books on the GAPS diet, and why did Dr. Natasha write the blue book? The easiest way I like to think about it is that the yellow book focuses on the mental side of health or the psychological side, while the blue book reflects the physical side.
Is there any overlap between the two GAPS books?
The protocol is the same. Dr. Natasha explains how the gut influences our wellness in so many ways. I like to think of it as the foundation of our body’s wellbeing. Both books encourage the same diet, which is great because you don’t have to worry about conflicting advice. Both books have the same diet, what you do, and the entire protocol. But there are different things people choose to focus on, depending on their personal needs. Some people’s issues tend to be more mental or psychological, while others are more physical.
Another thing I want to mention in my comprehensive guide to GAPS diet books is that the Gut and Physiology Syndrome (the blue book) is much larger than her first book. Dr. Natasha wrote her blue GAPS book in 202, after extensive clinical experience. In it she included a lot of new findings and information. She mentions a list of different physical problems alphabetically and how GAPS can help each one toward the end of the book. She also has sections about following the diet and includes several newer versions of the GAPS diet, such as No Plant GAPS, More Plant GAPS, GAPS Liquid Fast, as well as how you can tweak the diet to be most beneficial for you.
Integrating GAPS Diet principles into everyday life: My success stories and practical tips
How long have you been on the GAPS diet?
I started the diet in 2011 after I had been struggling with several issues. In this blog post, I explain more about how the GAPS diet changed my life.
Which of the latest GAPS diet publications do you recommend?
I suggest picking up both of Dr. Natasha’s books eventually, but start with whoever one fits your situation the best: physical or mental. While you can’t go wrong with either, you’ll get the most information on the GAPS diet from the one that most fits what you’re dealing with now. Begin with the book that fits your needs, whether physical or psychological.
Are there any published books about GAPS success stories?
Yes, there are a few options for GAPS diet success stories. Dr. Natasha’s GAPS Stories is one of the more popular ones. You can also visit the GAPS Science Foundation for clinical studies, with more being published all the time.
Do you have any additional tips or tricks for success on the GAPS diet?
Absolutely. Here are a few recommendations that go along with the full GAPS diet I try to follow.
- Shop organic whenever possible
- Skip packed or canned foods
- Eat healthy fats, especially animal fat
- Eat fermented foods with every meal
- Enjoy your cooking!
GAPS introduction diet and leaky gut
The diet is split into The GAPS Introduction Diet and the Full GAPS Diet. The Introduction Diet is divided into six phases, each introducing specific foods. The goal is to seal a leaky gut before graduating to the full GAPS diet.
The duration of each stage can vary. Some people need shorter or longer times on certain stages. Dr. Natasha emphasizes the importance of gradually introducing small amounts of food as you progress through the stages to challenge the body slowly.
GAPS diet family recipe books can be super helpful on your journey, especially if you’re cooking for your family. Some of my favorite GAPS cook books are Dr. Becky Plotner’s GAPS Stage by Stage with Recipes and Hilary Boynton’s Heal Your Gut Cookbook.
GAPS Diet book comparison Video
Read more about the GAPS diet with these popular posts
Following the GAPS Diet While Going to School
How to Introduce Solids with the Baby GAPS Diet
What led you to the GAPS Diet?
Did your journey to the GAPS diet begin with a search for solutions to chronic issues? Were you curious about leaky gut and found the GAPS diet books? I want to hear your story! Let me know in the comments below what led you to the GAPS diet.
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Dr. Becky Plotner’s GAPS Stage by Stage with Recipes
Hilary Boynton’s Heal Your Gut Cookbook
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Looking for a GAPS Intro meal plan?
GAPS to Go is a 30-day meal plan for the GAPS introduction diet that tells you what to eat each day. It includes complete cooking instructions and guidance on when to move to each intro diet stage.
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Thanks for stopping by! Be well! 
GAPS™ and Gut and Psychology Syndrome™ are the trademark and copyright of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride.
The information in this blog post is my personal experience and opinion. It is for general information purposes only, may not apply to you as an individual, and is not a substitute for your own physician’s medical care or advice. Always seek advice from your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding nutrition, medical conditions, and advice. Never disregard medical advice or delay seeking medical care because of something you have read on this blog.