Meat stock is the keystone to the GAPS diet and is the magic that will heal and seal the gut lining. However meat stock and bone broth are NOT the same thing. Let me explain why.

Meat stock is made with meaty bones which contain joints, cartilage, connective tissue and marrow. Meat stock can be made with any cut of meaty bones as long as it has joints, connective tissue and meat close to the bone. Meat stock is cooked for a short period of time 1.5 – 4 hours depending on the type of meaty bone.

Meat stock contains gelatin and amino acids that are key to healing the gut lining. Meat stock is low in glutamic acid which is important for people with histamine intolerance. With a good meat stock you can enjoy it as a meal and consume the meat or a soup or as a drink along side a meal. Consuming meat stock will help to heal any leaky junctions in the gut lining and heal and seal the gut.

Bone broth on the other hand is a more advanced healing drink. It is made by cooking raw or cooked bones for a long period of time, often 24 hours. Bone broth is high in proline and glycerin but also histadine which can cause problems for people just starting out on a healing journey.

While bone broth is great for bone & joint health it is meat stock which is needed to heal the gut lining. Both bone broth and meat stock promote the secretion of hydrochloric acid which is made in the stomach to used to break down proteins.

If you are starting out on your healing journey don’t reach for a jar of bone broth that you find in a health food store. Instead grab some meaty bones eg chicken legs, wings, osso bucco or lamb shanks and make yourself a nourishing meat stock.

For recipes on how to make the perfect meat stock look in the GAPS recipe section. You will also find ideas on how to use your meat stock in a lovely chicken or lamb soup. The possibiities are endless, you can add it to any meal that you currently make to increase its healing properties.