digestive enzymes & supplements
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digestive enzymes & supplements
| Wed, 05-17-2006 - 10:15am |
Well, I have read a lot and been exposed to a lot on this issue, but dh and I have decided we really need to start taking some active steps about LIam's behavior issues and how his diet HAS to be a part of it.

To learn more about enzymes the best places would be enzymestuff.com and the yahoo group enzymes & autism health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EnzymesandAutism/ Also the book Enzymes for Autism and other Neurological Conditions by Karen Defelice. The two websites are also by Karen. Karen answers questions on the yahoo group which is awesome.
Samantha
I like rainbowlight enzymend for our enzymes. They have many of the same ones as the houstons plus some other herbs to help digestion and stomach issues. I have used them myself on occasion and notice a difference. Occasionally my stomach will be bothering me digestion wise and they are awesome.
Next as far as changing his diet it is a slow process but now is as good a time as any to start. A couple things I have found helpful is first, not to have the offenders in house. Therefore no argument or tempatation. ANd next to figure out some really yummy alternatives to the favorites. New favorites I guess. There are some organic things that are close to the favored junk food and there are also some other yummy alternatives.
Cereal - If your guy likes sugar cereal Envirokids actually makes a number of organic cereals that are very similar and very yummy. THey have a cocoa one that is so like cocoa krispies. It isn't like giving them granola or kashi but it is a good start. You can find them at any health food store, trader joes, and likely online. They also make some GREAT organic waffles. My kids were rather fond of the banana flavored ones.
I like to get these "Flax plus" waffles. Then I top them with loads of berries (I buy frozen organic ones and defrost them a bit) and whipped cream. That is a great treat for the kids.
If you can't get him to eat fruit, will he try a smoothie? My kids could live off smoothies but each like different kinds. It took a bit of experimenting to see what each likes but you can really pack in some good stuff that way. It can be as simple as frozen fruit with juice blended. (1:1 ratio of juice to fruit). You can add fresh bananas, yogurt, or milk too for different flavors. If he does well with that and doesn't have enough protein you can sneak a scoop of protein powder in it.
I gotta run the kids to school. Good luck with the change over. A little research and experimenting and I think you will like the results.
Renee
Hi Dee,
You have received good advice so far. To learn more about enzymes, vitamins, and other related things, the enzymestuff website is very good. The same author, Karen DeFelice also has a book with much of the same info called "Enzymes for Autism."
As far as going to a DAN doc, I think most of them start with asking you to go GFCF first anyway. Then they will do a number of tests to recommend supplements, if needed. If you have the means and the referral of a doctor you feel you can trust, I am sure this would be good to do. But if you want to venture on your own first, you'd be surprised the results some children have just with eating a bit healthier and no other changes.
Renee covered a lot of things. And if you have a good, major "chain" health food store near you like Whole Foods, Wild Oats, or Trader Joe's you can find a lot of substitutions that are healthier. The Envirokidz brand also has GFCF granola bars that are pretty good as well as cookies that have no dyes, preservatives etc. (but they do have sugar!, but a kid's gotta have some fun!)
For snacky things, the "Robert's Gourmet" company has a bunch of "healthier" things. "Tings" look like cheetos but are made with rice and corn, no dairy and fooled my child! My son also loves their "Veggie Booty" which is popcorn coated with dried vegetables (broccoli, spinach) sounds gross, I know. But it tastes pretty good, I like it too! My son, in his little boy way, actually LIKES that it looks gross. Boys will be boys!
Another idea is to build on what he does like. If he likes bananas, make a banana smoothie and throw in a little of another fruit with it. Or spread peanut butter on a banana. If he likes raisins, maybe he'd like golden raisins, then maybe dried apricots. Does he like tomato sauce? I sneak all kinds of pureed veggies in that way. Carrots pureed actually improve the taste of tomato sauce, I think. I often put cooked, pureed spinach in too.
Paula has done a nice job of ideas for picky eaters that is here somewhere. Look through the past posts, if I find it I'll bump it up too.
As far as the supplements and digestive enzymes go, does Liam get sick a lot with viruses and things? Does he have problems with his digestion? (constipation or diarrhea) Those are factors that might suggest the need for supplements or enzymes. Lots of our kids seem to have these issues. But if you are just looking for better behavior, and his overall health is ok, maybe the dietary stuff will help.
In fact, we've found going GFCF has helped our whole family. Dairy doesn't affect me, but I did learn that I have a mild problem with gluten, and I didn't even know it until I quit eating it, then tried some French bread one day. I was so spaced, I could not believe it. My DH had the same reaction. So if it affected us that way, I can imagine how it affected our little guy.
Anyway, just some ideas. Hope this helps!
Katherine
Edited 2/19/2008 9:45 pm ET by littleroses
I never thought about adding protein powder to a smoothie......you moms are terribly clever!
Thanks,
Christie
We are just to the point of adding some junk food back in as well on a limited basis. They do have to be kids too and I am hoping for a life long habit so by allowing some in moderation has been ok. Also, that is when I started adding the digestive enzymes and that helped us ease up a bit. In other words they can have the occasional soda or cake at a party now.
I forgot to add another tip I have found helpful. Having them help in the kitchen. I have found with Mike in particular, if I let him help then he is more likely to try something new. He is still a bit tricky with new stuff but getting much better.
Cait on the other hand was a horribly picky eater. Now she LOVES things like salmon burgers, shrimp and homemade chili. She is still picky but in a healthy way and is willing to try new foods.
With our new foods, it goes on thier plate (small portion) but they only have to try one tiny taste. If they like it they can have as much as they want. If they don't no big deal. They are still hugely praised for trying anything new.
Renee
PS. Mike recently came up with his own smoothie recipe. Orange juice, mango, banana and yogurt. It was darn good!