GFCF Beyond

GFCF Diet & Beyond: 

GFCF Diet & Beyond Choosing your battles!

Why do a diet?: 

Why do a diet? It is believed many of our children are suffering from leaky gut little holes that allow food proteins to enter the blood stream Some of these proteins can convert to opiates and enter the brain causing a drug like effect on your child (think 60’s acid trip) By removing these opiates you should see an improvement in your child in the following areas Sleep, Language, Attention, Eye Contact, Hyperactivity … Many of our children have bad Yeast, Bacteria, and Parasites growing in their guts Diet can reduce the amount of these bad things and encourage good bacteria to thrive The goal is to Heal the Gut! Note – approximately 85% of TACA families report Improvement after being on the diet for 6 months

Not Convinced? (before GFCF): 

Not Convinced? (before GFCF) Great Plains test at start of GFCF Diet

Not Convinced? (after GFCF): 

Not Convinced? (after GFCF) Great Plains test at 9 months into GFCF Diet

Diet Options: 

Diet Options Basic Diets GFCF – Gluten, Casein, and usually Soy Free SCD – Specific Carbohydrate Diet BED – Body Ecology Diet Other Additional Diets Rotation Feingold Low Phenol Low Oxalate Low Sugar Organic

Gluten and Casein Free: 

Gluten and Casein Free A Gluten / Casein Free diet is a restrictive diet which entirely eliminates the intake of specific proteins found in: wheat, oats, and barley Dairy and sometime soy The relationship between gluten, casein, and autism was first articulated by Kalle Reichelt, M.D. in 1991. Based on studies showing correlation between autism and increased urinary peptide levels. Reichelt suspected that some of these peptides may have an opiate effect. Casomorphines and gluten exorphines and gliadorphine (from gluten) are chemical similarity to opiates. Long term exposure to these opiate peptides may have effects on brain maturation and contribute to social awkwardness and isolation. Watch for items include: Malto*, Carmel Coloring, Natural Flavorings, Whey, Lactose One of the best sources for implementation ideas is at http://www.tacanow.com

Specific Carbohydrate Diet: 

Specific Carbohydrate Diet The SCD diet excludes ALL starches and complex sugars. Removal kills yeast and bacterial. Malabsorption decreases, balancing gut flora and encourages healing. Feeding SCD yogurt or probiotics repopulates the gut with "good bugs" keeping yeast and bad bacteria in check When intestines are inflamed, they cannot break down large molecules so they can get into the bloodstream Undigested starch and sugars serve as a source of food for bacteria. SCD removes sources of these large molecule carbs Removal of starches and complex sugars corrects dysbiosis and decreases intestinal inflammation so the gut can heal. Rice and potato are replaced with items like squash, bananas, peas, apples, avocados, almond flour muffins etc. These carbs are easier to digest and more nutritious. They are absorbed directly into the bloodstream without taxing a the digestive system. SCD Advocates feel this is the only way to truly heal the gut not just eliminate opiates

Body Ecology Diet: 

Body Ecology Diet Relatively new approach with ASD – 1st tested in ASD children 2003 with “rapid and remarkable” results. Theory: Most chronic disease, including autism, are viewed as a cascade of events. It is started by a fungal infection in the gut and then the pathogenic organisms escape the intestines to invade the rest of the body. The end result is an infected gut, and in the case of autism, an infected brain. Extraction from a variety of diets Macrobiotic, Blood Type, Raw Foods and West A. Price. A few Specific Principles: Expansion/Contraction Principle from the Macrobiotic Diet Focus on the use of healthy foods – kept as close to their natural state as possible (Raw Foods Diet) with minimal processing (Weston A. Price Diet). Uniqueness Principle from the Blood Type Diet acknowledges that one size does not fit all (example – some do better with higher protein in the diet than others and some do better with animal protein than others). Food Combining Principle states that difference nutrients need different conditions in the stomach in order to be properly digested (example – protein requires a high-acid environment; starch requires more alkaline –therefore separating them you increase the efficiency of digestion and reduce unwanted fermentation). The 80/20 Principle from Eastern Medicine and states that you should never eat more thank 80% of your stomach capacity in one meal. The Step by Step Principle which states healing comes in stages which happen in their own time and order. Magic Foods Young Coconut Kefir Raw Butter Natural/Health Food (as close to their natural state as possible). Includes a lot of vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, good fats & Celtic sea salts for seasoning

Rotation Diet: 

Rotation Diet Basic Principles No one food is repeated until the fifth day in a four-day rotation plan If egg is eaten Day 1, it is not eaten again until Day 5 Food from the same botanical family may be used on an every other day basis. You could choose to eat a different cereal grain once every other day No one food may be used twice in one day. If a rice cereal is eaten in the morning, no rice in any other form - bread, milk, flour, pasta, etc - should be eaten that day The first two are principles are essential, even for those with a very limited selection of tolerated foods. The last principle is important for those who need to identify hidden food allergies, manage known food allergies, and prevent new food allergies from developing. It is important to eliminate a know allergen completely for a minimum of 30 days before adding it into a rotation. Often tolerance for the foods can be regained. Remember bananas on Mark’s test NOTE: Any food which has provoked a life-threatening reaction in the past should NOT be reintroduced except on the advice of your physician. http://www.parentsofallergicchildren.org/principl.htm

Feingold Diet: 

Feingold Diet A test to determine if certain foods or food additives are triggering particular symptoms. It is basically the way people used to eat before "hyperactivity" became a household word, and before asthma and chronic ear infections became so very common. The Feingold Program eliminates these additives: Artificial (synthetic) coloring Artificial (synthetic) flavoring Aspartame (Nutrasweet, an artificial sweetener) Artificial (synthetic) preservatives BHA, BHT, TBHQ In Stage One of the Feingold Program, aspirin and some foods containing salicylate are eliminated. Salicylate is a group of chemicals related to aspirin. There are several kinds of salicylate, which plants make as a natural pesticide to protect themselves. http://www.feingold.org/

Low Phenol: 

Low Phenol Phenols are similar to Salicylates. They are found in large amounts in the artificial ingredients and preservatives in processed foods. Also in nitrates and nitrites. Phenols are in all foods, but higher in certain foods: Apple Skins, red/purple grapes, night shade berries, etc. The metabolic theories of autism talk about how certain metabolic pathways in the body are compromised in autism – like those involved with methylation,B12, glutathione, etc. Another metabolic pathway that is thought to be compromised in some of our kids is PST, Phenol-Sulfur Transference. PST is required to help neurotransmitters function properly in the brain. It is also required to process foods with high levels of phenols and salicylates. If the PST pathway is weakened, by body being forced to process large amounts of Phenols or salicylates, it affects the ability of the PST pathway to assist with neurotransmitters in the brain. The only way to know if this is an issue is to go on an elimination diet like Feingold. Eliminate ALL artificial ingredients, preservatives, and nitrates/nitrites. Eliminate ALL high-phenol foods for as long as 3 months. If you see an improvement, the diet may have helped. Then challenging, one food at a time, to see if behaviors/symptoms return or increase with that food.

Low Oxalate Diet: 

Low Oxalate Diet Oxalates are from three main sources: diet fungus such as Aspergillus and Penicillium and possibly Candida our own human metabolism Oxalic acid is the most acidic organic acid in the body. Its used commercially to remove rust from radiators. Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is toxic because it converts to oxalate. You can test for High Oxalates with the Organic Acids Test (OATS) Foods especially high in oxalates include: spinach, beets, chocolate, peanuts, tea, cashews, pecans, almonds, berries, and many others Oxalates are not found in meat or fish at significant concentrations A complete list of high oxalate foods is available on the Internet at http://www.greatplainslaboratory.com/oxalates/oxal-test.pdf The Great Plains Laboratory, Inc. – Organic Acids Test (Mark)

Organic & Low Sugar: 

Organic & Low Sugar Why Organic? Pesticides and hormones present in our foods can be toxic to individuals who’s bodies can’t naturally eliminate them. You don’t need to go crazy with this, but do try to use certified organic, organic grown, and hormone free food products Shop at Whole Foods, Henry’s-Wild Oats, Mothers, Farmers Market, Farm to Market, etc. (If you can buy farm direct that is great too) Eco-Friendly is healthier for everyone If we buy it they will carry it and it will get cheaper! (Just look at Vons) Why Low Sugar? Many of our kids are allergic to Cane Sugar. Even if not they do promote the growth of yeast. We are doing all this diet stuff to cut back on yeast and heal the gut, why feed it at the same time? Alternately, use honey, maple syrup, stevia as sweeteners.

Tips and Tricks: 

Tips and Tricks Make foods look similar to what your child is used to GFCF Chicken Dinosaurs & Pancakes Move food to the non-GFCF containers (yogurt) Shift at least some of your family’s meals to match your child’s diet Cook with Rice Pastas GFCF Bread Crumbs or finely chopped nuts 2 Vegi’s NO starch meals Olive oil instead of butter Use specific cooking pans for Diet Cooking Pans hold on to foods no matter how much you clean them Try to make school lunches special Use Cookie Cutters Send Hotdogs in thermos

Tips and Tricks: 

Tips and Tricks Send Treats to School (have them keep in freezer) Educate your child’s teachers – point out specific examples Home Made is the BEST but there are products out there to make it semi-home made Watch for Cross-Contamination Spot check products periodically to make sure ingredients are still OK Use a food/behavior log to track new foods and reactions Plan to bring food to birthday parties and special events – sub out like for like where possible Check all prescriptions and supplements Mistakes do happen Don’t beat yourself up, learn from them and move on

Infractions: 

Infractions How do you know? Bad output or constipation Poor sleep Hyperactivity or Sensory Seeking Distended Stomach Anything out of the ordinary What to do? Digestive Enzymes Increase Yeast Treatment Melatonin (if he’s not sleeping) Epsom Salts Baths Try to find the source – so it doesn’t happen again

Nutrition & Supplements: 

Nutrition & Supplements On limited diets we need to add additional nutrients to make up for those foods not being eaten. Some other foods are high in iron, protein, calcium, fiber, etc. Look for those foods in nature. Fruit/Vegetable Smoothies are great – add Protein Powder & Supplements too Use dietary supplements to make up for the rest. LOVE Mini-Minerals from World Health Mall – WATER Teach you child to swallow pills ASAP Our kids often do not absorb nutrients appropriately either (USDA may not be enough) Start with small amount of a supplement and work your way up. For Example: Most of our kids need 200-1000% amount of B6 recommended.

The Picky Eater: 

The Picky Eater Many of our kids have oral sensitivities – moving to GFCF or Beyond can be challenging Take it slow – sometimes smelling a new food can be really tough for our kids Use common seasonings to transition to new food Involve them in the shopping process “I’ll buy it if you try it” Food Buddy Lunch Dates Diet friend who’s eating foods you wish you could get your kid to eat Nickel Jar The Power of Advertising EGO Waffles & GoGurts

Why do we do this?: 

Why do we do this? Because they’re worth it!