One of the most challenging solutions I've implemented for my son has been changing his diet.  First, we went gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF).  We garnered some immediate good results (in eye contact, behavior, language), but continued to have problems with yeast and bad bacteria in his tummy.  After about a year of GFCF, we learned about the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), which completely eradicated his yeast issues after only six months or so.  We have now modified the SCD diet to allow limited GFCF breads/carbs, which has opened up his diet to a little more variety. 

Whether you decide to go GFCF, SCD or any other dietary intervention for your child, I want to encourage you to follow these three simple rules:

1.  Try to create recipes that mimic something your child already loves to eat.  Our children often have very restricted, self-limiting diets, so if you can make an SCD chicken nugget look similar to the nuggets your child already loves - you've just won half the battle!

2.  Make sure it tastes great!!  This will take some trial and error on your part.....

3.  Make it nutritionally sound.  I do this by always adding in some kind of organic vegetable - finely chopped or pureed or shredded.

With GFCF and SCD-type diets, good taste is often hard to come by when you're limiting sugar intake.  That's why I'm providing tried and true, Mother Cub-tested recipes for you to try at home.  Simply enter your name and email address below for a little free Mother Cub Magic - delivered right to your inbox!   (Also, check out my YouTube videos when you get a chance....)

Tip of the Week:

If you have trouble getting your child to eat vegetables (and, let's be real - who doesn't?), try the following simple solution.  Make a "surprise box" and have a different inexpensive treat, toy or sticker in it every night.  If your child eats his/her veggies, then the surprise box is all theirs!!  Before long, your child will be eating everything on the plate!!