GAPS for a toddler

[Katc8910]

I am thinking on putting my 18 m o DD on the GAPS diet.  She has eczema and some other issues.  My main concern is dairy.  She drinks a lot of raw cow's milk and eats raw cheese, yogurt and butter.  A large percentage of her calories come from raw dairy as she still doesn't eat enough other foods.  If I put her on GAPS, how do I make up the calorie deficit from dairy?  She's low on the weight charts as is so I don't want her to lose any weight.  Also, she still takes several bottles per day and I just can't imagine taking that away.  How can I substitute the raw milk for her bottles?  We are anti-soy so that's not an option and she won't drink coconut milk. 

[CoBabyMaker]

Hmm, my 2.75 y/o is on GAPS but is a pretty good eater (though still small) so I am not sure how much help I will be.  Will she drink smoothies?  You can add eggs, avocado and coconut oil to it for extra fat.  Can you tell me what things she WILL eat (other than dairy obviously).  I can try to think of GAPS-friendly versions.  Also, I will say that we skipped the intro since I felt like that was too much change for her to understand and just went to full GAPS minus all the allergens.

[Katc8910]

Her smoothies are made of home-made raw yogurt and fruit like frozen cherries, mango, peaches, etc. She will take coconut oil off a spoon, but not mixed in a smoothie. She will not eat any eggs, which is weird b/c she used to love them scrambled. If I put a yolk in the smoothie, she won't touch it. I can't taste it in it, but I guess she can. As for what she does eat - lots of meats, fish, some veggies (though we are limited now - waiting for the farmers markets to start again!), Ezekiel tortillas, apples, pears, wild rice. We have now eliminated almost all grains with the exception of the wild rice. She's never had sugar or crackers or formula (breast milk, then breast milk mixed with raw cows milk, and now almost only raw cows milk). As for smoothies, how would I make them without the yogurt so they'd still provide lots of calories? She doesn't love avo either, though she will take avo oil off the spoon - I don't know if this is unusual, but she loves all oils and takes them straight off a spoon - even fish oil. she like stock and will drink it mixed with milk. We are still trying to figure out her food sensitivies - right now we suspect gluten and berries. But I really wonder about dairy.

[weliveintheforest]

Originally Posted by Katc8910 
As for smoothies, how would I make them without the yogurt so they'd still provide lots of calories? 

Would she drink coconut milk if it was hidden in a smoothie?  You can even make coconut milk yogurt.

[CoBabyMaker]

Yes, will she drink coconut milk in a smoothie?  That could be a good option.  (Also, unless you can find some without guar gum or preservatives you will need to make your own.  It's not hard, just takes some time.) 

Will she eat mayo?  You could make mayo and have her dip things (I make a ranch dressing with all mayo DD loved).  I also make a "creamy" salad dressing with avocado.  We pour oil on lots of things and just stir it in.  Once you  move past the beginning she can have butter or ghee.  You can cook your meats in it.  Can she have nut butters or sunbutter?  DD has been eating a small bowl of sunbutter at breakfast since she can't have eggs.  If she'll take oil of a spoon go for it!

Does that help at all?  Honestly, as long as she will eat broth, meat, fruits and veggies I think she'll be fine. 

[Katc8910]

How do I make coconut milk? I have coconut oil, coconut cream (from tropical traditions) and coconut chips. Also, do you have any good coconut milk smoothie recipes?
I like the mayo idea - I've made it for me in the past from olive oil and egg yolks. I'll def try that.

[lizabird]

Both my kids just finished the intro diet (kids are 4 and 7) and I wouldn't be surprised if my 4 yo lost a little weight.  He has always been pretty skinny and he tells me he doesn't like any of the huge variety of foods I put in front of him.  He does love the dairy (yogurt and cheese) and coconut and avocado, and we leave a bottle of olive oil on the table to drizzle on things.  One of our favorite GAPS breakfasts is eggs with pancakes made from approx 1/4 c cooked butternut squash, 2-3 tbsp almond butter, and 2 eggs.  Puree in blender and cook small pancakes in coconut oil.  YUM!

[CoBabyMaker]

I use this method: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpxPoizVT9c

I get my coconut through azure standard.