Julie’s Expertise in Autism Nutrition
Julie Matthews, our guest expert, has been immersed in the world of autism and nutrition for over 22 years. With a master’s degree in medical nutrition from Arizona State University, she combines rigorous research with practical experience to help families navigate dietary interventions. Her latest book, The Personalized Autism Nutrition Plan, provides a comprehensive approach to improving the health and behavior of children with ASD, ADHD, anxiety, and other neurodevelopmental conditions.
How Did Julie Get Started with Autism Diets?
Julie’s journey began with studying how nutrition affects behavior in children with ADHD. After writing her first book “Nourishing Hope”, She met a man who had successfully used dietary interventions to help his children with autism, sparking her interest in the field. Since then, Julie has dedicated her career to understanding the complex relationship between diet and neurodevelopmental disorders.
The Link Between Nutrition and Autism
One of the key takeaways from our conversation is that nutrition plays a significant role in managing autism symptoms. Here’s why:
Digestive Health and the Microbiome
Many children with autism experience digestive issues such as diarrhea, constipation, gas, and bloating. These symptoms often indicate an imbalanced microbiome and compromised gut health. Addressing digestive health can lead to improvements in behavior, sleep, and even toilet training.
The Role of Inflammation and Immune Function
Children with ASD often have heightened inflammatory responses and immune system challenges. These factors can influence how their bodies tolerate certain foods and absorb nutrients. By tailoring nutrition to support the immune system and reduce inflammation, families can see noticeable improvements in their child’s symptoms.
Mitochondrial Function and Detoxification
Another critical area is mitochondrial health and the body’s ability to detoxify. Many children with autism have difficulties handling oxidative stress, which can exacerbate behavioral issues. Nutritional strategies that support mitochondrial function can lead to better energy levels and cognitive functioning.
In Julie’s experience, many families making nutrition changes for their child with autism saw many health benefits for themselves as they may have also had intolerances or issues that led to weight gain, fatigue, a foggy brain, or other common health issues.
So, autism diets may even be important for the whole family.
Starting a Nutrition Plan for Autism
Julie recommends a 12-step approach to improving nutrition for children with autism that is outlined in her newest book. Here’s a simplified version of her strategy:
Step 1: Eliminate Junk Food
The first and simplest step is to remove artificial additives, preservatives, and dyes from your child’s diet. For example, red dye number 3 has been linked to hyperactivity in children. Studies in The Lancet and anecdotal reports from parents over the past 50 years confirm that reducing these additives can lead to dramatic behavioral improvements.
Step 2: Address Picky Eating
Picky eating is a common challenge among children with autism, with about 80% exhibiting restrictive eating habits. Addressing nutrient deficiencies and food intolerances can help expand your child’s diet. For example, gluten and dairy can produce opioid-like compounds in some children, leading to food addictions and behavioral issues.
My discussion with Dr. Keith Williams can provide some insights on how to start introducing new foods so we can eliminate foods that are making the picky eating worse.
Step 3: Introduce Special Diets Gradually
Rather than jumping into restrictive diets immediately, Julie suggests starting with simple changes and gradually introducing diets like the gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet, specific carbohydrate diet, or ketogenic diet based on your child’s needs.
We don’t want to remove all foods before we are able to add in some new ones.
