Diet

A diet full of sugars, wheat, processed foods and soft drinks with all the colourants, flavourings and preservatives not just alters gut flora by feeding pathogenic microbes, but changes the whole body metabolism altering its pH towards acidic. This has got far reaching consequences: altering the brain chemistry, altering microbial flora in other body areas (skin, upper and lower respiratory tract, vagina, bladder etc.) which predisposes children to eczema, asthma, ear infections and colds and having a direct damaging effect on the immune system.

A diet for an autistic child should consists mainly of eggs, fresh meats, fish, vegetables, fruit and nuts. The fresher and closer to the way nature made it, the better. Vegetables and fruit are best uncooked. Carrot sticks, cucumber, tomatoes, freshly prepared salads and home made vegetable soups should all be a major part of the diet.

For snacks between meals offer plenty of fresh fruit, nuts and seeds. Nuts are a wonderful source of nutrition for children. They can replace milk as an excellent source of calcium, magnesium, zinc and other minerals essential for normal bone development. Use ground nuts instead of wheat flower for baking and making pancakes. Unfortunately, some children are allergic to nuts. It is important to make sure that it is a true allergy and not a food intolerance, as children with food intolerance may start tolerating nuts after the gut flora is restored.