Diet Number Four
THE ANTI-HYPOGLYCEMIA DIET
Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is extremely common among 4-A kids,
particularly those with autism and ADHD.
It not only triggers symptoms of the 4-A disorders, but exacerbates existing
symptoms, and mimics the symptoms of other, related disorders, such as yeast
overgrowth.
Many of the symptoms of hypoglycemia are consistent with those of autism and
ADHD, including:
- Poor cognitive function
- Irritability
- Propensity to tantrum
- Spaciness
- Lethargy
- Physical weakness
- Confusion
- Inability to be consistently articulate
Because these hypoglycemic symptoms often mimic, amplify, and trigger
symptoms of autism and ADHD, they often lead to frequent misdiagnoses of
autism and ADHD, particularly when they are combined with symptoms of the
other physical problems that so often afflict children with autism and ADHD.
The most frequent cause of hypoglycemia is a poor diet, too high in
carbohydrates. Carbohydrates, which consist of either sugar or starch, travel
through the digestive system very quickly, and can cause a spike of high blood
sugar, which then can result in a slump of low blood sugar. This slump can
profoundly alter mood, cognition, behavior, and energy.
The anti-hypoglycemia diet is based primarily around foods that travel slowly
through the digestive process, such as high-protein foods and high-fiber foods.
Talk to your doctor about testing your child for blood sugar stability. And look for its
signs and symptoms yourself. They can be very easy to spot. Most kids are
relatively sensitive to excess sweets, and some kids are sensitive even to small
amounts.
Like other changes in diet, this one can be hard on both kids and parents,
especially in its early stages. As your child begins to feel better, though, which
often happens relatively quickly, his or her cravings for sweets will probably
subside dramatically. After that happens, the diet becomes much easier.
