Tips for a GAPS Christmas!
Heading in to Christmas when you are on GAPS can seem a little daunting, so here are some of our tricks and tips to help you get through the holiday season more smoothly!
Prepare food a head of time, as much as possible- We make cookie dough, chocolate and Christmas cake in the week leading up to Christmas and freeze.
Keep Christmas as simple as possible- The most delicious food is prepared simply, enhancing it's natural flavours. It is not worth having extravagant food for you then not to enjoy your day, or be tired and stressed about getting things in the oven. Prioritise simplicity and time with your family.
Feed the kids very well before you go to the relatives for Christmas lunch if the food won't be ideal for them- Something very high in fat and a moderate amount of protein such as an omelette with butter and cheese, meat balls, sausages with veggies for breakfast- think dinner type meals!
If Christmas is at your house, make all of the food GAPS friendly- It may not all be suitable for the stage your children are on, but at least you will know if there is a ‘slip up’ it will be with GAPS friendly foods, and not foods that they aren’t allowed at all.
Bring something along to share that they love, and others will too- This will be very dependent on the stage you are at as to whether this is possible or not.
Stage 1 - GAPS yoghurt (coconut yoghurt if dairy is not tolerated) with honey
Stage 2 - Russian custard made into ice blocks
Stage 3 - pumpkin pancakes with a scoop of Russian custard ice- cream
Stage 4 - fat bomb muffins, GAPS bread, or pizza (with no cheese yet)
Stage 5 - Russian custard with blended frozen mango- yum!, stewed apple with yoghurt
Stage 6 - lots of options with sweet baking now allowed.
In some situations it is ok to skip ahead a stage or two for these occasions, for example someone on stage 4 may be completely fine with taking a mango Russian custard to a party. This will depend on the individual situation, what issues are being dealt with and how they are coping with everything. A practitioner can help you decide if this is appropriate.