We started the GAPS intro yesterday, and I was feeling pretty positive but knew the next week or two could be tough - oh boy, did it hit today. Â I just knew this would be the right place to come for support, and there your post was right at the top. Â :) Â
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Our whole family is planning to do GAPS, but DH was out of town this weekend and I had been putting off the official start for a month, so I finally just gave myself the deadline of starting now even though he wasn't going to be here. Â Big mistake, I definitely recommend having as much adult help on hand as possible when starting the intro diet. Â
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We're mainly doing the diet for DH (who has IBS like symptoms and thinks he is lactose intolerant, but I think it's gluten) and DS1 - age 6 (ADHD, SPD, etc - did the LEAP/MRT test last April and came up with 35 allergies/sensitivities and has been on a restricted diet since then, but it doesn't really address healing the gut, and I don't think it will be sustainable when he is high school/college age). Â But DS2 (4) can be really moody and is my only child who really craves processed foods, and DD (2) can be moody as well, and I thought it would be best if we all did it. Â As for me, I can be moody too and I'd like to be in better control of my temper (I am patient for way longer than I should be, then I completely lose it and feel so ashamed, would like there to be a middle ground), plus it would be nice to lose the last 10 lbs of baby weight and I'm still hoping to convince DH for a 4th baby, in which case I'd like to go into pregnancy as healthy as possible. Â We've been eating a mostly traditional diet for a while and didn't eat a lot of processed foods or grains (and no hfcs, etc), but I do like to bake, so we would have things occasionally. Â I also did a lot of my own canning and freezing and we eat locally and organically for about 90% of our diet. Â And we have been easing into GAPS for the past month and change, as I cleaned out the pantry, froze extra bone broth, etc. Â
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So I knew this would be hard, but I didn't think it would be THIS hard. Â Oh My Goodness. Â DS1 and DD are doing okay, and I honestly think I would be fine, especially if DH were here (and hey, a grandmother wouldn't hurt either, but that doesn't seem to be an option for us ;) Â But DS2 is basically refusing to eat. Â Anything. Â He goes on and on about how much he hates this diet and hates soup etc etc ad infinitum. Â And even DS1 and DD are boycotting the bone broth. Â I think they'll be willing to eat soup broth when I can add tomato to it, but until then, I don't know what to do. Â They are doing pretty well with meats and fishes cooked in the broth, so at least that's a start. Â DS1 is very lethargic (I know he's not eating enough either) and DD is a bit whiny and wants to nurse constantly. Â But DS2, well, I just don't know what to do. Â I keep telling myself that if he gets hungry enough, he will eat. Â But I'm super worried about sending him back to preschool tomorrow where he will see everyone eating things he can't have. Â I prepared his teachers in advance, but I am still very nervous about the whole situation. Â And he seems totally intent on pushing my buttons, in a way that the other two aren't doing. Â I don't know if I should give in and allow more foods (I added soft boiled eggs today, and that was the only thing he ate all day) or try to stick out phase 1-2 of the intro for longer. Â
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To make matters worse, DH is getting home from his weekend away any minute now and thinks he might have the flu. Â I think his body is reacting to the junk food and too much wine he had at his friend's wedding this weekend. Â But if it is the flu, and the children catch it when they haven't been eating enough anyway the past few days, things could get really bad. Â I'm already worried about dehydration, without flu thrown into it (since they are refusing the broth, and not wanting to eat or drink much of anything). Â And I am super run down after being up all night last night because each of us got bad stomach cramps and felt nauseous at some point during the night....
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Any words of support or advice would be appreciated! Â I'm hoping this is a low point, but it's only day two. Â How are we going to get through the rest of the week? Â And how long does it take before they are willing to eat, and to drink the broth? Â Ack! Â
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