Re: New to the diet - 16 year old son w/autism

[Guest guest]

Welcome to the list....

<<1. While our sons's BMs in the past were very loose, he's now more on

the constipated side. >>

Constipation in the beginning is fairly common. If it becomes very

uncomfortable, there is a constipation protocol on Elaine's website... in the

" Knowledge Base " , under " C " . Some parents report that the " Electrolyte Drink "

recipe also helps... which is also listed in the Knowledge Base. Many also

report some relief from adding a magnesium supplement... magnesium citrate or

oxide have a somewhat laxative effect, though the oxide form is not very good

for much of anything else BUT that effect.

<<Is it okay to just jump into the diet without the intro

for him?>>

We generally find that EVERYONE needs to start with the intro.... it's just two

days. That " clears the decks " for healing and gives you a better chance of

long-term success. Also, EVERYONE.... no exceptions.... needs to start with

fruits and veggies peeled and cooked for some time in the beginning. Many weeks,

or several months, is the typical length of time... to make all food as easy to

digest as possible while the lining of the gut regenerates itself with new

tissue and the proper biofilm of good flora. The ONLY things you do not need to

cook in the beginning are ripe banana.... and possibly ripe avocado, though

some report that they need avocado to be cooked to tolerate it.

<<2. Any suggestions as to how to substitute a clearly illegal food:

Dunkin Donuts Coffee Coolattas. He really enjoys going out 2-3 times a

week to Dunkin Donuts. It's become part of his social life. He loves

to talk to the other folks there, happy to order on

his own and sit and drink his CC while socializing. Any ideas as to

how to change this habit? Cold turkey?>>

There would be nothing wrong with him continuing to GO to this place.... as

long as he changed his order to weak coffee (plain, black.... saccharin or honey

only) or, if they allowed him to either bring something home-made in with him.

It's possible that we could help you find a recipe for some type of coffee

cooler.... or a legal smoothie. I'm sure it would taste FAR from his original

favorite, but it wouldn't stop him from coming in to socialize, if he would

tolerate the switch. If he goes in with one of you, he could still order YOUR

drink.... as long as what HE drinks is legal.

<<3. Will we see any benefit if he is still having coffee coolatta's

occassionally?>>

You *may* see some benefit..... but it would NOT be advisable to continue

consuming this illegal beverage, even " occasionally " . This diet is a lot of

work.... and a big change for everyone. The goal is to get the best possible

outcome for each individual. You really need to cut out ALL the sources of

illegals to give his gut that best possible chance.

<<Maybe it's wishful thinking, but our son appears less

agitated, calmer, happier - even in the first five days.>>

That's great news! So, you've not observed any die-off symptoms?

<<3. Do we start probiotics about a week after beginning the diet?>>

Yes.

<<4. Same with the homemade yogurt - start that about a week after

beginning?>>

Unless he was previously dairy/casein free.... then yes, you can go ahead and

start SCD yogurt.

<<A daily .25mg dose

of Risperdal has seemed to help and he's on just that right now. Will

that interfere with this diet?>>

It depends on what illegal starches/sugars might be added to the medication. I

assume it is a tablet or capsule that he swallows? Not a liquid? Capsules or

tablets will have some starch fillers/binders.... and it *might* be possible to

have the medication compounded specially for him, without those additives. You

could contact a compounding pharmacy to inquire about that. It might be

expensive. Of course, that would be ideal.... to completely eliminate any

trace source of illegal starches. His outcome will just be all the better if

so..... however, Elaine Gottschall always told us that if a person needs a

particular medication, and it isn't possible (or affordable) to have it

compounded, then they need to keep taking it. Maybe someday, he won't need it

and he'll be able to gradually wean it away.

best wishes,

Patti