Interesting....Autism and Carbs

[SherriPie]

As some of you know my youngest son is Autistic, he has Asperger Syndrome. So today we took him to see a new specialist and the Dr kept going on and on about Autism and eating correctly. I was thrilled to learn that his big thing was that children with AS thrive on low carb & low sugar diets. He had a whole plan laid out with breakfast, lunch and dinner ideas that help children with autism thrive. All the meals were FTS to the core, right down to the low carb pitas I pack my kiddo for lunch that he loves so much. I was just shocked to find out that the medical profession can see an actual neurological difference in AS kids that eat the FTS way and those that don't!  It just made me realize we are really on to something here.

[ShihTzuMom1]

Wow Sherripie, that is amazing!!  I will pass it on to someone I know that may find this very interesting!

[izzet]

I can believe it...I know how much clearer my thoughts and function have become.  I'm so happy your son is doing well on FTS and the Dr. confirmed it.

[joagain]

Tyler has ADD and it makes a huge difference with him also . When he was eating the recommened 75 carbs a meal he was very hyper that was 4 years ago ,even before I had heard of FTS I thought 75 was too high that was very high . Sherrie had he been eating like you anyway ?

[umpa]

I can't tell you how many parents with teenagers we have heard from that talk about the HUGE change in their kids.The change in the attitude, attention span,and overall health. If parents don't do anything else, I always suggest they remove the sugar from their household.The diseases it triggers is not worth it.(cancer is #1 ,before you are xrayed they actually have you drink a sugar solution so the tumors are exxagerated by the sugar so they can see them)I think its the best gift you can give your child is good health.3Angels here are the forum has had great success  with her children.They can actually spot the sugar by themselves.

[beebs]

My cousins oldest son is autistic and in the past I have made some special things for him but now Im going to introduce her to the FTS way and show  her all the goodies so he can have sweets without making him nutso.

[Cara]

My son is eighteen and has ASD. He enjoys high carb foods and tends to stash them in hiding spots when I leave the room. My husband will look for the full bag of chips and find the empty bag under my sons bed.. I am trying to lower his carb intake because diabetes runs in the family, and anxiety issues will prevent us from checking his sugars if the need arises. My resent diagnosis of diabetes makes this a reality  that he is heading in that direction also, and as a parent of child with AS, I am sure that you understand the EXTRA fears. Do you have any advise other than locks on all cupboards?

[beebs]

Stop buying high carb products!

[mouseissue]

Stop buying high carb products!

I wholeheartedly agree with beebs... For the sake of your family's health, STOP BUYING PRODUCTS HIGH IN CARBS!!!

If your son is buying them, work out some sort of deal with him to not buy them for some sort of reward.

Type 2 diabetes is an equal opportunity disease.
Eat sugar for too long and it's bound to catch up to you, your son, or anyone else!

[ShihTzuMom1]

Cara, try and turn your kitchen over into healthy foods and easy to grab healthy snacks.  Have a tray of cut up veggies and cheese ready in the fridge.  Go to Costco and get a couple of big bags of unsalted almonds.  They are great for everyone to use if a snack is needed.  Maybe he is never full because he is having craves caused by all of the sugar he is getting in the high carb foods, just like we used to.  Look how much easier it is to stay away from things once those nagging craves are gone.  As for your other son, he doesn't need sugar either.  If your hubby wants his high carb snacks, have him lock them in his office or his truck so the kids can't see them.  I'm sure some of the other Mom's could give you great ideas for healthy snacks for kids.  There is a whole section called "Child Support" that you can find on the home page that has ideas for kids.  Hope this helps.

[owensmath]

If he loves chips, make some jicama chips. They are a fabulous substitute that my 14 and 15 year old sons love!

[SherriPie]

@Cara: My little guy use to stash food too. I would find high sugary sweet wrappers hidden in his room, Dr had told us that was an AS thing and caused by anxiety. Before FTS we kept the house full of horrible things that kids love and he had more outbursts and AS issues then. Now I keep the house FTS happy. Meaning no sugary drinks, no high sugar foods, no breads...just good stuff you could eat at anytime. He was not happy about it for about the first month but now he's use to and it doesn't seem to faze him. We have seen  a huge difference in him this year, especially with school. We use to send him off with bagel, yogurt and fruit thinking it was a good healthy breakfast. So much sugar in that meal I would be surprised if he wasn't bouncing off the walls. Now it's eggs with ham or bacon, or a breakfast quesadilla or pita. Way lower sugar and much happier kid.

[Cara]

Thankyou it is great to know that I am not the only one with not only issue myself, but also my son who has ASD with many anxiety issues. I will work on curbing that, and I hope I can block the food coming into the house, but it is so hard to curb the tastes of the rest of the family.

[beebs]

I think if you spoke with them about how bad it is for your son they would all be willing to help out!

[Doug Varrieur]

Ladies this entire thread has put a happy tear in my eye. As you all know I wrote the FTS book to be kid friendly, easy to read and understand. Starting the book off at my own childhood (12) gives a young person a place to relate too right from the start of the book. Of course the "Speedo" thing always grosses them out 

Please keep me posted on your children's progression, I'm soooooo happy for all of you!