Eating for Autism: The 10-Step Nutrition Plan to Help Treat Your Child’s Autism, Asperger’s, or ADHD

by Elizabeth Strickland

What your child eats has a major impact on his brain and body function. Eating for Autism is the first book to explain how an autism, Asperger’s, PDD-NOS, or ADHD condition can effectively be treated through diet. Eating for Autism presents a realistic 10-step plan to change your child’s diet, starting with essential foods and supplements and moving to more advanced therapies like the Gluten-Free Casein-Free diet. Parents who have followed Strickland’s revolutionary plan have reported great improvements in their child’s condition, from his mood, sleeping patterns, learning abilities, and behavior to his response to other treatment approaches. Complete with 75 balanced, kid-friendly recipes, and advice on overcoming sensory and feeding skill problems, Eating for Autism is an essential resource to help a child reach his full potential.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Food, Adhd, Nonfiction, Health, Parenting

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Mike Moskos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good discussion of dietary changes to alleviate autism symptoms.

But, I'm dinging her 2 stars for leaving out what could the most potent diet for autism: the GAPS diet by Natasha Campbell-McBride. Since the later was published 5 years before this book, I would have expected the author to at least mention it.

[Tara Fleck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend this book for any person who feels they or someone they love is being negatively effected by his or her diet! In particular, a great reference for parents who are concerned about dietary interventions for children with special needs.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I impulse-“purchased” this book when it jumped out at me on the way out of the library. Some people have speculated that I may be on the spectrum, so maybe eating specially could help me? And whatever, it’s the library. Whether I read it or not, I have to return it in a few weeks anyway, so why not? If it’s good enough for The Children (think of The Children!) then maybe it’s good for me, too.

Then I got home and read/skimmed the whole thing in one sitting.

That probably makes it sound like a super compelling read, but I didn’t find it so. Not sure why the obsession. *shrug*

Takeaways for me:

- Reminder that B6, B12, and iron are crucial for making enough serotonin, and if you don’t have enough serotonin, you’re subject to not just depression, but also anxiety and OCD. Oh, maybe that’s what’s up with that!

- Start with the basics of eating good food and not crap. Duh.

- It must be so incredibly hard to have a child with these issues. My heart goes out to everyone this book was intended for.

Overall, I think the book pulled me along so quickly because it lays put a plan, clearly in order of “most likely to make a dramatic difference first,” so I kept being curious what would happen next. Also, about half the book is recipes for re-creating kid foods without soy, gluten, or dairy.

For me, it wasn’t much use, because everything i already believed, I was like, “yep!” And everything else sounded too much like a hassle. I can see it being a godsend for the intended audience, though.

[Rehab Saad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autism الكتاب مفيد عموماُ للى عندة اطفال مش بضرورة يكون عندة
ADHD او
بشكل عام الكتاب بيتكلم عن تغذية الطفل والفيتامين اللى محتاجها علشان ينقي جسمة من السموم واللى بضرورة بتعرضه لمشاكل سلوكية ومشاكل فى الانتباه والادراك لاحد سن ال18 وازي الاهل ممكن يحطوا خطة غذائيه للطفل وازاي ممكن تطبق حمية دان او فينجولد لو الطفل مصاب بأضطراب نمائي
رغم عدم اعتراف الدكتورة بشكل كامل بحميات الفطريات والكربوهيدرات او حتي فينجولد بالكامل علشان الابحاث اللى قامت عليها اعتبرتها غير كافيه الا انها قالت انها مهمة جداُ مع ذلك واتكلمت عن العوز الغذائي ونقص خلايا الدم الحمراء وتأثير دا على نقل الاوكسجين واللى بدورة بيؤثر على امتصاص المعادن واللى طبعاُ بتسبب مشاكل منها التخلف العقلى وفرط النشاط وفقدان التركيز والخمول والصداع
اي ام مقبلة على الولادة او بالفعل عندها اولاد لازم تقرا الكتاب لان الكتاب بيعرض بشكل مباشر تأثير التغذيه على قدرات الطفل
وتأثير الالوان الصناعيه والمواد الحافظة ومكسبات الطعم واللون هي معرضتش بدائل لانها اصلا ضد تناول السكريات بشكل مباشر للطفل بغير رقابه ولا حتي كمدعم للسلوك او تحفيز
بشجع جداُ لقرايته

[Kristin Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Explains how each nutrient is needed by the body/brain, breaks down how much is needed, and where to get each nutrient via foods or supplements.

[Irene Mckay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple to follow however I wished there’s more information than the recipe.

[Abbey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I've been told by many people that my son seems to have sensory integration issues. He is also a problem eater (gets stuck eating the same thing for 3 months and then wont touch it one day) and seems to have problems with lactose. That said, this is an introductory book. I already knew most of the information in the book. It would help any parent with any child (talked about high fructose corn syrup, food coloring, partially hydrogenated oils, etc.). She even talked about ADD a little.

I learned that Omega 6 is bad fat. I didnt realize that. It is in the flax seed oil I have. Im not sure you can get away from that but its good to consider. Apparantly, B6 is good for kids with autism. I hadn't heard that either. Overall, I think it made me start thinking about clearing out my pantry. I didn't realize how many things I have with MSG and high fructose corn syrup. AND, its completely unnecessary. It just convenience and price. No more campbells soup or chef boyardee!!!

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found it very interesting how important vitamins and minerals are in ones diet, especially vitamin B6, omega 3, and magnesium. I found by just adding adequate amounts of vitamins to my child's diet I noticed a huge difference in 2 weeks. He now gets tired on his own because he had the vitamins he needs to produce serotonin, I'm also giving him less melatonin. This book has been helpful for my family.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably 3.5 Stars.

Lots of information on nutrition. Could easily be applied to everyone not just those who have a disorder. Includes several recipes that look like they may actually be edible. A good overview on vitamins and supplements that are necessary for our bodies.

[Katterley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good advice without being fanatical, the book has given me more ideas on how to enhance my son's autism healing with diet and nutrition. Good resources in the appendices, too. Easy to understand. Highly recommended.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Get this again.

[Danielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting but I think would be pretty difficult to implement.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. I am trying stuff tomorrow as soon as I go to the store.

[Jodie Ritter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating anecdotes of how nutrition affects the brain. Inspiring stories!