Recipes: Advice, Tips and Resources

Many dietary principles that help children with ASD, ADHD and neurodevelopmental delay also help adults with Irritable Bowel, Chronic Fatigue, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and all MINDD (metabolic, immunologic, neurologic, digestive & developmental disorders) illnesses. It is all about healing the digestive tract and eating foods that the individual is able to metabolise for optimal nutrient absorption.

These principals coincide with those of traditional diets around the globe as discovered by Dr. Weston A. Price back in the 1930s and extremely well represented in Sally Fallon’s book Nourishing Traditions, Sally Fallon. They also resemble what anthropologists and dieticians refer to as the “Paleolithic” diet.

Before the advent of refrigeration and food processing our ancestors soaked or sprouted grains, seeds and nuts, fermented some fruits and vegetable, cultured dairy product, and feasted on slow-cooked animal stews and broths. They also ate organic and non-GM foods. And the ratios of the foods they ate varied by regions depending on their practical ability to trap meat, harvest grains, grow fruit and vegetables and pick seeds and nuts.

Eat animal meats such as fish, poultry, game, beef and lamb which have the highest content of amino acids, nourishing fats, vitamins and minerals of any food. Meat is vital, especially for developing brains and bodies. B vitamins are especially abundant in meat and aid in the absorption of nutrients.

Meat broths cooked with a bit of wine, vinegar or lemon are filled with minerals, gelatin (that aids in digestion) and protein (great for those whose gut has trouble processing a lot of meat).

The saturated fats found in meat such as duck, goose, chicken, lamb and beef are vital for developing brains and also have antimicrobial properties. However, too much meat can induce acidity so check with your practitioner on quantity.

Choose essential fatty acids carefully as they are extremely important for brain development. In general our modern diet is overabundant in Omega 6 and under in Omega 3 (more bioavailable in fish than in flaxseed). Limit omega 6 oils such as safflower, corn, sunflower, soybean and cottonseed. Avoid canola oil altogether as it is unstable, high in sulphur and goes rancid easily. And please do not deep fry especially with unstable polyunsaturated oils. Coconut and animal lard is best for high heat frying.

Diets too low in fats lead to low serotonin levels which can result in aggressive behaviour.

Culturing dairy product increases the content of B and C vitamins, restores many enzymes destroyed in pasteurization (i.e. lactase) which helps the body absorb calcium and minerals. It also replenishes beneficial bacteria. Uncultured dairy product increases blood acidity.

Fermenting fruits and vegetables creates lactic acid which is a natural preservative that inhibits bacteria. Lacto-fermentation also reduces levels of sugars and starches by converting them into lactic acid.

Fresh, whole and unrefined diets keep gut pathogens at bay and provide more nutrients

Non Genetically Modified Food has the molecular and chemical structure our digestive tracts evolved to process. GM grains have foreign proteins that can be hard on the gut.

Nutrients from vegetables are key so if necessary disguise veggies by pureeing or grating them into soups, stews, casseroles, egg dishes

Organic foods are low in chemicals, high in nutrients and seasonal as nature intended our bodies to eat. All of this boosts immunity.

Raw fruits and vegetables help activate our digestive enzymes and are good way to start a meal, assuming the gut is robust enough for raw food.

Rotating foods and including variety can help to avoid developing allergies and intolerances.

Soaking, fermenting or sprouting grains neutralises phytic acid which is present in the bran of all grains and inhibits absorption of calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc. Treating grains also neutralises enzyme inhibitors and predigests grains so nutrients are more available.

Sugar is a an addictive ingredient that feeds pathogens and suppresses immunity. It is also a polysaccharide which makes it hard for sensitive guts to digest.

Timing of food intake is very important especially in sensitive digestive tracts and bodies having trouble producing energy. High protein, low carbohydrate breakfasts will give your child sustained energy to last to the next meal. Eggs, meats and fermented dairy are great for breakfast. Lunch should ideally be bigger than dinner, allowing your body time to burn off energy. Light, easily digested meals such as vegetables and soups are best at dinner when your metabolism is slowing down.