Nutrition Education and Cooking Demonstration
Learn what traditional foods cultures across the globe had in common to
keep them healthy for centuries, and how these foods and preparation
methods are incredibly healing for children on the autistic spectrum
(and all children).
For generations, knowledge was passed on about how to prepare foods for
maximum digestibility and nutrient assimilation.
Today’s modern
highly processed, refined foods – even those found in health food
stores such as cold cereal, unfermented grain products like rice
crackers and gluten-free bread, soy foods as dairy substitutes - are
often very difficult to digest and low in available
nutrients.
Instead, we will focus on incorporating traditional foods into our
modern lifestyle – foods that for centuries promoted healthy digestion,
immune function, and overall health – fermented foods, nutrient dense
broths, proper soaking of grains, and identifying the best quality
animal/farming methods for optimum nutritional value.
Children with autism often have poor digestion, low immune function,
and deficient nutritional status; however they can often be very
sensitive and easily imbalanced.
Supplements can be great but are
not tolerated by some people: they can be too strong or concentrated
and imbalance something else, or they can lack the other necessary
balancing nutrients that nature normally provides in the whole food
variety.
We will discuss how these foods: aid digestion, increase
nutrient absorption and reserves, support brain function and balance,
enhance immune function, and nourish the growth and development of
children.
This class will incorporate elements of many effective diets commonly
used for Autistic Spectrum Disorders including gluten and
casein-free,
diets for yeast overgrowth, and food sensitivities.
We will
discuss how to adapt food choices to fit within the necessary dietary
requirements.
We will discuss the “why” and the “how to.”
Taught by:
Julie Matthews , Certified Nutrition Consultant
You will learn the benefits of, and how to prepare:
- Fermented foods:
Lacto-fermented fruits and kombucha (two favorite children’s fermented
foods), raw sauerkraut, and more (wonderful for digestion, reducing
yeast overgrowth, immune function)
- Broths and soups: Vegetable and
mineral broths, chicken and beef stocks, and soups
(nutrient dense
foods)
- Raw dairy and fermented dairy
products including yogurt, kefir, and whey (as the gut heals raw dairy
is often tolerated when regular dairy is a problem and excellent for
those doing dairy on Specific Carbohydrate Diet)
- Soaking and fermenting grains,
nuts, and beans including how to make nut milk and nut butter
(essential preparation for proper digestion and nutrient absorption of
all “seeds”)
- Foods from pasture-raised animals (nourishing to the brain and the nerves)
For those starting out: you'll learn essential basics.
For those who have
been working with diet for a while: you'll learn to further optimize nutrition.
Even picky eaters will benefit greatly as the class presents modified options just for them. Even if they get only a small amount of these
healing foods – they need it the most. Even small amounts are a
great start and wonderfully healing.
Traditional Healing Foods for Children on the Autistic Spectrum
includes
nutrition education on the health benefits of these delicious
foods,
hands-on experience preparing them, and specifically
tailored
suggestions to getting children with autism to eat it.
Class includes:
- Food tasting and recipes
- Jar of “class-made” sauerkraut to ferment at home
- Kombucha culture to make your own
Meet other parents who are learning the same things and gain resources for buying quality ingredients and prepared foods when
desired.
