Benefits of Eating Healthy
As you know children on the spectrum are greatly affected by sugar and processed foods. Sugar and processed food intake can lead to more meltdowns, unusual behaviors, and lack of sleep.
When Vincenzo was first born all he craved and wanted was fruits and vegetables. He did not care for sugar or candy. He genuinely loved eating healthy. Once Vinny became injured one of the first things we lost was his awesome palette. He did not want to eat anything healthy and only consumed certain things that he preferred.
Once we began Vinny's journey of detox the first thing that came back was his pallet! We started slowly by letting him pick what fruits and veggies he preferred. We also involved him with food shopping which also helped with encouragement.
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If your little one is struggling with their pallet I encourage you not to give up. There are many different techniques you can try to broaden their horizons. One thing that did work for us was making green smoothies. We call our green drinks "Hulk Drinks" which he associates with one of his favorite Marvel figures.
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Vinnys Green Smoothies:
-1/2 of avocado
-1 scoop of vanilla greek yogurt
-1 cup of frozen organic pineapples
-1 cup of frozen organic frozen mangos
-1 cup of organic spinach
-Add as much organic milk as you would like for consistency
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With the price of food constantly increasing, we have found it less expensive to use frozen over fresh when making our smoothies.
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Quote from Hippocrates
"Before you heal someone, ask him if he's willing to give up the things that make him sick."
Nutrition, is an important piece of the puzzle in autism
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Nutrition plays an essential role in the health and development of all children, but it is especially important for autistic children. Proper nutrition can help reduce symptoms of autism, improve overall physical health, and support cognitive development. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to nutrition for autistic individuals, research has shown that certain dietary changes may be beneficial. From nutrient-dense whole foods to supplements tailored to individual needs, nutrition can provide a powerful tool in managing autism symptoms and improving the overall quality of life for autistic individuals.
#1 Nutrition affects behavior
Many children on the autism spectrum have some form of behavior issues. Not all children but many of them have aggressive behaviors. This can be directly related to nutrition. Kids that are eating foods that are processed food that have no nutritional value oftentimes have behavior issues because these foods can and will cause them to act out. These kids often crave sugary foods that include artificial flavors and coloring. All of these foods can negatively affect behavior. Nutrition has a powerful influence on the behavior of children. Research indicates that proper nutrition may be able to positively impact behaviors related to attention, focus, communication, sensory processing, and social interaction in autistic children. Therefore providing your child with a highly nutrient-rich diet can pay off in the future.
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#2 Nutrition affects attention and focus
My number-two reason why nutrition is an important piece of the puzzle is that it directly affects attention and focus. If your child is on a diet that has no nutritional value it can directly affect how much they are able to focus in different settings. They are not able to focus on therapies, at home, or any other school setting because of poor nutrition. Feeding your child a diet that is highly nutrient will help them focus and their attention in any setting. A nutritious diet rich in essential vitamins, minerals, proteins, and healthy fats is necessary for optimal brain development and functioning. For example, consuming foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon or flaxseed oil has been linked to improved concentration levels while avoiding processed foods containing additives like artificial colors or flavorings has been associated with reduced hyperactivity levels.
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#3 Nutrition affects sleep
My third reason why nutrition is an important piece of the puzzle is that it can directly affect sleep. Many children on the autism spectrum lack sleep, they just don’t sleep well. One reason for this could be the food they are consuming. If your child has poor nutrition, it could be causing them discomfort and pain that directly affects their sleep. Good nutrition is essential for overall health and well-being, including good sleep quality. Proper nutrition can help to improve the quality of sleep in both adults and children, particularly those with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Eating a nutrient-rich diet that includes whole foods as well as supplements tailored to individual needs may be able to positively impact behaviors related to sleeping patterns in autistic individuals. From promoting healthy circadian rhythms to providing necessary vitamins and minerals for restful slumber, proper nutrition can play an important role in ensuring a good night’s rest.
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#4 Nutrition affects the gastrointestinal system
My fourth and final reason why nutrition is an important piece of the puzzle is because of gastrointestinal issues. It is said that 90% of children on the autism spectrum have some form of gastrointestinal problems whether it be constipation diarrhea, upset stomach, and nausea. Implementing a more nutritious approach will help to ease their stomach pain. Many children on the spectrum have what is called a leaky gut, which is when food particles are able to leak through the intestinal wall into the bloodstream causing a host of symptoms. Focusing on nutrition can help with this.
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#5 Nutrition affects brain function
Nutrition is essential for maintaining a healthy brain and improving cognitive function. Eating the right foods can help to boost your energy levels, improve concentration, and enhance memory. By providing your child’s brain with the nutrients it needs for optimal functioning, we can be sure that our minds are working at their best. In addition to eating nutritious foods, staying hydrated is also important for keeping your brain in top condition. Drinking plenty of fluids helps keep cells functioning properly and keeps us alert and focused on tasks. With good nutrition comes better mental performance for your child!
I believe feeding your toddler a more nutrient-rich diet will provide a better quality of life for them and the whole family.
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-Darolyn Lewis
Nutrition Coach
Follow her at https://thenutritionalspectrum.com/blog/
Autism & Glutathione
What is Glutathione and how does it relate to autism? Glutathione is considered to be the most powerful, most versatile, and most important of the body's self-generated antioxidants. Glutathione is found naturally in the body as a product of the liver and in combination with three amino acids. The 3 amino acids are cysteine, glutamic acid, and glycine.
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Many children on the spectrum have unusually high levels of oxidative stress which inflames the brain and their digestive tract. In fact, many studies have found that children with autism have lower levels of glutathione which could explain the elevated levels of oxidative stress. As parents, we need to ensure that we keep the levels of inflammation so that our children can continue to thrive and feel less stressed.
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There are many benefits of supplementing glutathione. Parents have noticed a decrease in many ASD symptoms once starting to supplement. Children can become more focused in their school programs and be able not to feel as stressed. If oxidative stress is low due to glutathione it will interfere with the brain and your child will suffer from delayed speech and other cognitive issues as well. We also have to remember rapid results may not happen, it may take time to build up the glutathione and reduce the oxidative stress before results occur. At the end of the day, all we can do is continue to educate ourselves so that our children can have the best chance of having a sustainable life. If you have any additional questions feel free to inbox me! I've also included an article you can check out for further information.
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Check out this medical review: https://altmedrev.com/blog/the-benefits-of-glutathione-for-autism-go-beyond-controlling-inflammation/
Organic Chicken Nuggets
Do you have a picky eater? Try this recipe. You can save money and they taste a lot better than organic frozen nuggets.
Ingredients:
*3-4 Organic Chicken Cutlets
*1 Organic Egg
*Spices-Garlic Powder, Paprika, Garlic Salt, Panko crumbs, Pepper, Parmesan cheese
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Directions:
*Slice up the chicken into small pieces
*Crack the egg, place it in a bowl & whip
*Combine all the spices and spread them out on a plate (Use the number of spices to your liking.)
*Take each piece of chicken and coat it with the egg base, and continue to the plate of spices
*Bread each side of the chicken and place it aside. Continue until all your chicken is breaded.
*Set your air fryer temperature to 400 cook for about 11 minutes and turn halfway through.
*Enjoy!