Information and Frequently Asked Questions

What are these 'Special Diets'? How can they help my child?

There are a few popular 'Special Diets' that have been proven to help children with issues such as Autistic Spectrum Disorders as well as learning disabilities, mental challenges and allergies. The one common link all of these diets have is that they help to address the digestive system dysfunctions and improve the brain/gut connection.

In our bodies, the communication between our gut and brains is a crucial link that effects our overall being. In the whole of communication between our digestive systems and our brains 2/3 of the communication goes from our gut to our brain and only 1/3 goes from our brain to our gut. This simple fact tells us that there is a lot more going on in our guts that effect our mental and emotional states than we often realize.

I am sure you have heard the term 'garbage in, garbage out' or 'you are what you eat'. These diets really highlight this fact and the end result of implementing them are in many cases nothing short of miraculous. First hand experience has shown us the effects short term and long term. It is such a beautiful thing to watch a child who has been trapped in their own world step into yours and ask you a simple question like "What is your favorite color, mom?", or going a whole week and not getting a note from your child's teacher about their behavior. This sounds small, but for so many families something like that is nothing short of a miracle.

Some of the results we have seen first hand include:

  • increased eye contact
  • increased focus
  • calmness
  • happiness
  • decreased or ceased tantrums
  • better attention at school
  • increased awarness of others and surroundings
  • weight gain (in underweight individuals)
  • distended tummy subsides
  • increased social skills
  • more spontaneous speech
  • and many others


The Feingold Diet or Program

To address these Diets, lets go in order of complexity so that the differences are abundantly clear. On one end of the spectrum of choices, there is the Feingold Diet or Program. This diet was first intended to address allergies and an improvement in behavior and attention was noticed as a side effect. This program eliminates aritfical additives and preservatives as well as perfumes and other environmental factors that can be controlled. Many of the preservatives and additives, which are derived from petroleum, are common place in commercial foods and can wreak havok in sensitive individuals. By removing these components from the diet, improvements can be seen rather quickly in most cases.

Some of the issues that can benefit from the Feingold program are :

  • ADHD
  • ADD
  • PDD
  • Autism
  • sensory integration
  • dyslexia
  • OCD
  • Bipolar disorder
  • depression
  • turrets
  • developmental delays

Because of the connection between the gut and the immune system the same individuals often have a history of these physical complaints:

  • ear infections
  • asthma
  • sinus problems
  • bedwetting
  • bowel disorders
  • headaches
  • migraines
  • stomachaches
  • skin disorders
  • irritability
  • sensory deficits - extreme sensitivity to noise, light, touch, vision deficits (the eyes do not work well together).

Behavior is often the issue that is helped the most by the Feingold Program but improvements in other areas are often seen also.


Gluten and Casein free diet (GFCF)

The gluten and casein free diet is the next step up from Feingold. In our experience, this diet produces better results than just Feingold alone. It is more restricted however and is considerably more homework as a result. This diet eliminates the proteins gluten and casein. Gluten is found in certain grains (such as wheat, rye, barley, oats-by contamination and tricticale, and grain products.  Casein is found in milk and milk products. In sensitive individuals, an injured gut is present and the body's ability to properly breakdown and digest these proteins is compromised. Because of this they often have sensitivites to these proteins which can cause neurological issues. By removing the proteins from the diet, many improvements are often seen. Often times when these proteins are removed, other sensitivites may surface which were not evident before because the 'big ones' mask the smaller ones. At Smart Tummies, we have experience with helping you determine what else may be the culprit to help your child overcome even  more obstacles.

The theory of the diet is that the proteins in gluten and casein (and possibly other foods depending on the individual sensitivity)  are not broken down by the gut properly so when they get into the bloodstream they cause problems. In sensitive individuals these insufficiently digested proteins or peptides enter the bloodstream and can cause an opiate reaction in the brain. This is known as the opiate peptide theory. These proteins mimic morphine in the brain causing similar reactions in the individual to people who have actually been given morphine.

In classic autism self injury is often seen. In others on the spectrum, hard falls seem to elicit little or no response. The pain tolerance for these individuals is very high, in theory, due to the opiate reactions going on in the brain which block the pain receptors in the body.

Grains and flours that are used in the diet are the following but individual sensitivites dictate which are beneficial:
  • Rice
  • Tapioca
  • Potato
  • Corn
  • Soy
  • Teff
  • Nut flours
  • Bean flours - garbanzo, navy bean
  • Montina
  • Mesquite
  • Amaranth
  • Arrowroot
  • Coconut
  • Flax
  • Millet
  • Quinoa
  • Sesame
  • Sorghum

Many common products contain gluten and casein that you may not realize. Did you know that common table salt and most commercial spices contain gluten? It's not listed on the label however because the amount is so small by law the manufacturer is not required to list it. Knowing these kinds of things can mean the difference between a successful transition and one that doesn not produce desired results.

This diet is best known for it's implementation with autistic individuals but it is also fantastic for all of the common neurological issues listed in the above paragraphs. This diet addresses the symptoms of many conditions which is helpful to many families. It's focus is to alleviate symptoms. It is not designed to heal the gut.

*Some families have tried GFCF with results that were less than amazing. This is probably due to the fact that the individual in question had other factors in play that were much larger than the gluten and casein. Depending on the make up of the gut flora, the toxins being spilled into the body by the 'bad' bacteria can be so great that taking out gluten and casein is not enough. To see REAL results, the following diet(s) are more likely to make the biggest difference.


The Specific Carbohydrate Diet

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet has by far the most complex learning curve and calls for a good bit of creativity but that being said, it has the greatest rewards! This diet allows for foods containing mono-saccharides having one sugar molecule and eliminates all foods containing di-saccharides, having two sugar molecules and poly-saccharides having many sugar molecules. So any processed food and ALL grains are out the window. Potatoes are also out.  

If you are coming to this diet from the GFCF, it can seem very daunting because all of the staples that you depended on before are now a no-no. This diet consists of fruit, vegetables, meats, nuts, oils and home made yogurt. In short, you have to make everything! This can sound overwhelming but like anything else, it does get easier. It is easier to shop for the ingredients  for this diet- they are all whole foods! Learning to be creative in food preparations can make this diet as any diet, lots of fun!


Why would anyone want to do this diet?? It sounds too hard.

In short, because it is the only one that actually helps the injured gut heal. The di-saccharides and poly-saccharides found in the offending foods (namely complex carbohydrates) cannot be broken down sufficiently by an injured gut. This leaves the 'gut bugs' or bad bacteria plenty of food to eat. Because of this they multiply causing a myriad of issues not only in the gut, but in the rest of the body as well. By eliminating the offending foods from the diet, the bad bacteria starve and the individual's gut is allowed to heal. Many scientific studies have been done on this diet and time and time again, it is proven to be effective not only for the autistic spectrum but ulcerative colitis, IBS and other intestinal issues. Many parents report significant improvement in their children over the use of the GFCF diet. The reason for this is the elimination of the bacteria.

The bacteria themselves release toxins and the toxin produced by the grams negative bactieria, lipopolysaccharide or LPS is particularly suspect. The presence of this bacteria in the gut of autistic children has been found to be 10,000 times higher than in children who do not exhibit autistic behaviors. Aerobic Grams negative bacteria has a very potent endotoxin (LPS), and it can cause damage to the gut, brain, liver and thryroid as well as other parts of the body.

As well as being a toxin in itsself, LPS works with mercury and other heavy metals thereby expanding the damage. The heavy metals increase the harm done by LPS. In addition, LPS reduces glutathione levels in the body. Glutathione is responsible for detoxification in the body. This makes it even more difficult for the individual to detoxify the heavy metals out of the body. LPS also decreases dendritic cells if they get into the blood and tissues of the body. These are the cells responsible for regulating the immune system. As you can imagine, this alone causes the body to be in a weakened state allowing for yeast, other pathogenic bacteria, cold and flus and other undesireable things to take hold in the individual.

The SCD Diet eliminates these bacteria by eliminating their food. This is a diet worth exploring if you are interested in actually healing the gut rather than just reducing the symptoms of the related conditions.

*All of the above mentioned complaints addressed in the Feingold and GFCF sections are addressed with SCD even to a greater degree than the above dietary regimines because the main underlying problem is addressed.

The GAPS Diet or Program

The Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet is based on the SCD diet but it takes things a step further by incorporating fermented foods (sauerkraut) early on. It also stresses the use of organic as much as possible. The diet allows for fermented dairy (yogurt) but is more cautious in it's implementation. The program also advocates supplementation with specific nutrients and also a pleasant (and tasty) detoxification regimine. It is a very holistic approach to not only healing the gut but taking many other factors into account as well to help the individual heal.

A word about rotation diets

In individuals with a compromised gut doing a rotation diet in the beginning is often beneficial especially when you are testing a new food. With a little planning and documentation this a very easy. Feeding the same food everyday to these individuals can create an allergy in their system. By rotating though foods that are well tolerated, this is prevented. It also provides them with a varied diet which is also important. The rotation can be done in conjunction with any of the above dietary protocols.

Elimination Diets

These too are done in conjunction with the above protocols and involves eliminating suspected problem foods. There is a system of testing these foods to see if they are indeed problematic. With some documentation and a watchful eye they can be evaluated and a decision can be made based on the results.
After some gut healing has taken place (if doing the SCD or GAPS protocol) these offending foods - provided they are allowed by the protocol (whole foods) - can be retested and often times the problem has subsided and the food can be tolerated. Getting to add a new food can greatly expand your childs diet and is a cause for celebration! The gut is healing!!


What if I 'sort of' stick to one of these diets? Does part way do the trick?

Not really. If you take the case of the gluten and casein free diet and the 'opiate peptide theory', just reducing the amount of these foods is not going to do the job. The morphine reaction in the brain is still going to be taking place. These reactions do not stop when the food leaves the body. Milk products take 2-3 days to process out and gluten takes about 5, so if you are giving your child the offending foods even everyother day you are A) Making yourself do extra work for nothing and B) creating an unhealthy yo-yo effect for your child. Drugs are an addiction and to these kids, the foods supply that feeling. If you are going to take it out, you have to take it ALL out!

In the case of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, bacteria take time to die off. As long as you are feeding them, they are going to stick around and the gut is not going to have a chance to heal. Plus it is really hard on your child and their body to have the yo-yo food process going on.

Here at Smart Tummies we have the experience to help you with the bumps you may encounter along the way. From our step by step programs to our cooking classes and consultations, we can help you custom design a plan to reach your goals that takes you from where you are to where you wan to be.

My kid wont eat ANY of the stuff you are recommending! I can't STARVE them!!

We hear you!! Most all of these kids are in the same boat. Cravings revolve around carbs and sugars. Guess who finds those things particularly tasty? You guessed it, those nasty 'gut bugs' ! Other reasons for your child limiting himself to foods are ones you may not have heard before.
In the individual with a comprimised gut, the communication between the brain and the mouth is flawed making things taste funny. Also because the neural connections are not functioning properly these individuals are often extra sensitive to textures and temperatures of foods. Another reason is that the mouth is part of the digestive tract. Therefore, not only is the flora in the gut 'off' but it is that way in the mouth as well. Because of this, when the individual starts to intake things into the mouth that detoxify it -fruits and veggies and the like, these toxins start to be released from the salivary glandsand soft tissues. This produces not only unpleasant taste but sensations as well.
All is not lost! At Smart Tummies, we have tips and tricks that can get your child on the way to recovery. These are used by therapists and parents alike to help their children.

My child is allergic to nuts. How can we do SCD?

It is possible to do the diet without the use of nuts with great results. If the allergy is not anaphylactic, after gut healing has taken place often times many foods are tolerated much better and allergies often disappear all together. We do NOT advocate trying to introduce nuts or any food for that matter to a child who has an anaphylactic reaction to that food! If you come to the point that you are curious if this is still a problem for your child, seek out an allergist and have them tested in an office that is equipped to deal with that sort of thing. Do NOT try it yourself!

So what's ok and what's not for these diets? How do I know?

This is where Smart Tummies comes in! We have done the research making the learning curve much, much easier! Most commercial products contain the offending substances in one form or another and we can teach you how to spot them. There are several brands on the market that are starting to show up in main stream grocers that are free of these ingredients which can make your life easier. You may be surprised to learn however that these brands are often CHEAPER at Whole Foods!! It's those little bits of information that can save you money!
If you can't pronounce it, don't eat it, is a good rule and a good place to start. Often times though, the manufacturers can pull a fast one with their labeling. Wev'e been there and can tell you how to avoid this.

In the case of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet, there is an extensive list of whole foods that are acceptable and foods that are not. Make no mistake, there are lots of tasty foods out there that can be consumed on this diet. It does however take more time and effort to prepare some of them. There are specific tips and tricks related to this diet that we recommend to increase your success.


Other information

My child went to an allergist and we were told they didn't have any food allergies, just environmental. So would these diets help them?

Absolutely! Just because an allergy test comes back negative does NOT mean that your child is not reacting to the foods he is eating.

When you get your child allergy tested they are being tested for an abnormal immunological response. The prick test is a common allergy test that is done. In some cases, blood tests are performed. The response by the body is being carried out throught the immune system. The immune system response causes a histamine reaction. These reactions can manifest as typical allergy symptoms or in some cases, depending on the way the body responds, it can cause increased heart rate or blood pressure, irritability or hyperactivity.

In the case of food sensitivities or intolerances, a different response is occuring in the body. This is one that can be, but is NOT often preceived by the allergy test. It is because the antibodies which would normally react to an allergen (IgE) are not produced, therefore the histamine reaction which takes place in the body as a result, never takes place. Food sensitivities are tricker too in that they often take some time to manifest symptoms. It can take 24 to 48 hours in some cases for the offending substance to cause any symptoms. This can make it harder to track down, but not impossible!

There are tests to detect food intolerances and they are generally about 80% accurate. These tests are blood tests. There is the cytotoxic test and an IgG antibody test. The cytotoxic test looks at a specific type of white blood cell and measures their response to a drop of pure liquified food concentrate. With the IgG test the food or chemical is given and the test measures the presence and amount of IgG anitbodies in the body. In both tests the effects build over 24 to 48 hours.

When only environmental allergies are showing up on an allergy test, food sensitivities can actually be making the environmental allergies WORSE. By removing the foods and chemicals the individual is sensitive to, allergy symptoms often lessen and in many cases, cease all together! Allergies and intolerances both create inflammation in the body, but in different ways. Removing the culprits in the diet allows the body to carry out more normal responses to its surrounding environment and ease the symptoms experienced by so many with seasonal allergies.

We haven't been to an allergist but I suspect an allergy to a particular food. How do I know that I am not giving my child something he is allergic to?

There is a non invasive way you can test for an allergy versus an intolerance in your child and we can show you how!  It is cheap and we recommend doing this test before adding a new food. It not only ensures that the child is not being given an allergenic food but it prevents set backs and gives you peace of mind.


Other things we recommend

In addition to the diets listed above, there are other things that can help to ensure that the program custom tailored to your child is a success. Eating organic foods whenever possible is highly recommended. First of all, as we hace discussed, due to the higher bacterial content present in the sensitive body it is harder for them to process out toxins. By eating organic it eases the body's toxic load. Also, foods that are organic naturally come from stronger plants and animals making them higher in nutrients than weaker, pesticide and antibiotic ridden plants and animals.

Drinking plenty of fresh, clean water every day. This helps in the body's detoxification process. Other drinks are processed like food in the body but water is used as is, making it easier on the body. We are approximately 70-75 water! We lose water through extretion in our urine, bowels, sweat and even breath. This must be replinished daily to ensure a healthy, properly functioning body.

Getting plenty of sleep is essential to our bodies.  Many of the processes carried out in our bodies on a nightly basis detoxifies our systems and allows them to rest. Without ample sleep it is difficult for these processes to take place putting unnecessary stress on our bodies. Not to mention the fact that we are grouchy and not as productive!

Proper nutritional supplementation can is some cases be key to taking healing to the next level. In many cases this is recommended. However, by choosing food wisely you can reduce the number of supplements that are needed thereby saving you money!

Creating a positive environment arounnd the child and their food is a must! By making them feel good about themselves and what they are eating, you are reinforcing a loving nurturing environment for them. This not only helps them and you feel good, it helps digestion! It has been proven that digestive systems under stress do not digest well. By being relaxed at mealtime you are helping to ensure the food that your child eats gets assimilated more easily and completely.

Making snacks and goodies in advance for special occasions is also a good idea. If your child is attending a party at school or for a friends birthday, it is best that you have an alternative for them so that they feel included. This can take some getting use to but it is well worth the effort! At Smart Tummies we have lots of recipe ideas and tips to help make this as easy and fun for you and your child as possible.

Emotional support for the child and the family is very important. Maintaining a low level of stress for the parents and the child is paramount in the healing process. We can show you tips and tricks to keep the stress level low and keep your child happier.

Salt baths are very useful when undergoing a dietary transition. They can aid in detoxification and ease the symptoms of 'die off' which is a healing process with sometimes uncomfortable symptoms. At Smart Tummies we have specialized therapeutic bath salts to ease these symptoms as well as other formulas for cold and flu, calm and focus.