Healing Highly Sensitive Body in Chicagoland

A casein-free diet has been found to be beneficial for a number of people for a variety of reasons. A gluten-free and casein-free (GF/CF) diet has provided positive results form many people diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder, such as autism, Asperger’s syndrome, atypical autism and pervasive developmental disorder. Currently, there are no double-blind studies proving the efficacy of the GF/CF diet in autistic spectrum disorders.

When removing dairy from the diet, it is vital that adequate calcium and vitamin D be added in the form of fortified milk substitutes or acceptable vitamin and mineral supplements. Guidance from a qualified physician or nutritionist is strongly advised.

FOODS THAT CONTAIN CASEIN

Milk, cream, Half & Half, yogurt, cheese, butter, sherbert, white or milk chocolate, ice cream, ice milk, desserts, creamed soups and vegetables, soup bases, puddings, custard, whey

CASEIN-FREE ALTERNATIVES

Rice, soy or potato-based milks, Pareve creams and creamers, Mocha mix, Tofutti Better than Cream Cheese, Sorbet, Italian ices, soy ice cream (not all flavors), ghee (if guaranteed casein free), Soymage cheese, Tofutti brand non dairy (not all flavors), coconut butter, Imagine brand soups, coconut milk

BOVINES AND YOU

All bovine milk and milk products contain casein. Avoid foods derived from goat and Sheep milk, as well as cow dairy products.

KOSHER IS GOOD

Kosher Pareve foods are casein free. Foods certified as kosher non-dairy or Pareve are free of dairy proteins.

FOODS THAT MAY CONTAIN CASEIN           

MARGARINE, TUNA FISH, DAIRY-FREE CHEESE (most brands), COSMETICS, MEDICINES, LACTIC ACID, ARTIFICIAL FLOVORINGS, SIMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE, HOT DOGS, LUNCH MEATS, SAUSAGE, GHEE

DAIRY FREE MAY CONTAIN CASEIN

Many non-dairy foods contain casein proteins. Avoid foods that contain any ingredient with casein or caseinate.

BE A FOOD DETECTIVE and ALWAYS READ LABELS

*IF IN DOUBT, DO WITHOUT*    

The GFCF Diet Support Group

P.O. Box 1692

Palm Harbor, FL 34682-1692

http://www.gfcfdiet.com

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This is a simple overview of the gluten-free diet. Not all areas of the diet are as clear-cut as conveyed by this guide. Gluten is the generic name for certain types of proteins contained in the common cereal grains wheat, barley, rye and their derivatives.

GRAINS ALLOWED

RICE, CORN (MAIZE), SOY, POTATO, TAPIOCA, BEANS, GARFAVA, SORGHUM, QUINOA, MILLET, BUCKWHEAT, ARROWROOT, AMARANTH, TEFF, MONTINA, FLAX, AND NUT FLOURS.

GRAINS NOT ALLOWED IN ANY FORM

WHEAT (EINKORN, DURUM, FARO, GRAHAM, KAMUT, SEMOLINA, SPELT) RYE, BARLEY AND TRITICALE.

FOODS THAT MAY CONTAIN GLUTEN

BE A FOOD DETECTIVE

CALL FIRST

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1. Bring the basics with you, pack in the checked in luggage: GF/CF pasta, Chocolate GF/CF cookies, Oreo-like GF/CF cookies, a loaf of non-frozen GF/CF bread, and GF/CF pretzels, and a box of GF/CF frying mix/crumbs.  Always leave them in the trunk of your rental car. By having those with you, it relieves the stress of trying to find them at your destination, a huge stressor for the mom usually.  Another reason is other children tend to eat more such snacks on vacation, so when your children wanted them too, you will either have substitute or let them eat the gluten/casein foods.

2. Bring Gluten Enzyme with you for accidents and occasional moments of weakness.  It’s hard to find GF/CF foods on the road, especially at restaurants.  Gluten Enzymes give you the safety net when you are exhausted and hungry but can’t find a place with GF/CF foods.

3. Bring with you Triumph Dining’s grocery shopping guide and restaurant guide books.  Go through it before your trip, plan your eating out ahead, make some reservations.

4. Many luxury hotels’ kitchens are willing to cook food according to your directions.  You don’t have to stay there, just make dinner reservations with specific requests and eat there.

5. If you are in an area where there is hardly GF/CF restaurants, shoot for seafood places and Chinese or Thai restaurants where large amount of gluten is only present in battered foods.  Avoid battered foods, the butter and the cheese, the rest of the entrees are fairly safe.  If the kids have good self-discipline, buffet restaurants can work as long as they promise to skip the ice cream ahead of time.

6. Try staying at a condo or resort with full kitchens.  Cooking may seem a hassle but so is leaving the beach after just two hours to try to find a decent lunch place.  Our experience has been, as much as cooking seems hard on vacation, a child load up on gluten and casein is much more of a hassle and pain. J

7. Bring a full print out of what food is allowed and what are not to the grandparents’ house, if that is where you are going.  Ask them ahead of time to purchase GF/CF ice cream instead of the regular ones.  If your child is older, ask them to tell the grandparents “wheat and dairy makes me sick”.

Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicago and have an Out-of-Town program as well. Form more information, please visit www.highlysensitivebody.com.

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In order for the Highly Sensitive People to survive this chaotic world, we need to learn to avoid toxic friends and acquaintances.  Be on the alert to avoid people who are negative.  If you already know some people like that, gradually pull yourself away over a period of time.  Below are types of toxic people:

1. People who are Downers:  No matter what happens in life, these people will never be happy.  They always call you up and complain.  Nothing is ever going right in their lives.  Their constant negativity gradually erodes the joy from your life.

2. What you give them will never be enough:  They take and take from you, and they always find fault with what you give them so they can guilt you into doing more for them.  Sensitive people are giving people, but we get pulled down if we have to over-give all the time.

3. People who are manipulative:  These people know what strings to pull in order for you to be the puppet in their lives.  They will make you feel bad about who you are and what you do for yourself, in order to get you to do what they want.

4. Insecure people:  These people constantly put others down in order to feel better about themselves.  They also tend to be the one that talks bad about others behind their backs. 

5. Dream Killers:  Whatever dream you tell them, they tell you that it is impossible or too difficult.  Sensitive people are full of ideas.  While most are just an idealistic thought, one good idea can take us places we never dreamed to go.

6. Bullies:  The best way to avoid bullies is to ignore them and not affected by their verbal attacks.  Let them know that they are being ridiculous and that you really aren’t bothered by their action.

7. Insincere people:  They seem to be nice but they never give you honest opinion, and they are never there when you needed them.  Being with these people is a waste of time.

8. Parasitic people:  They always make others foot the bill and they will have all the excuses to get sympathy.  If they are roommates they could skip rent a lot, if they are lovers they will not want to contribute into the relationship, financially or emotionally.

9. Narcissistic people:  These are the self-centered people who will make sure all their needs are met while ignoring your needs.  In their little world, the only person important is themselves.  Highly sensitive people need to especially avoid this type of people while dating.

Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicago and have an Out-of-Town program as well. Form more information, please visit www.highlysensitivebody.com.

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• High protein snacks a few hours before bed will help the brain to produce melatonin, a hormone that helps sleeping.  Try to avoid sweet snacks just before bed, as they can raise the blood sugar and prohibit sleep.

• Listen to relaxing music or soothing nature sounds to put yourself in the sleeping mode.

• Sleep in a room as dark as possible.  Lights disrupt your circadian rhythm and inhibit glands from producing melatonin.

• Stay away from work and electronic gadgets one hour before going to sleep.  They stimulate your brain and prevent you from a good night’s sleep.

• Avoid drinking too much fluid just before bedtime to minimize the need to use the bathroom while trying to fall asleep.

• When reading before bed, avoid exciting books such as mysteries and suspense novels.

• Always establish a night time routine…try to meditate, massage or recite prayers.  Aromatherapy could also help.

Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicago and have an Out-of-Town program as well. Form more information, please visit www.highlysensitivebody.com.

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Based on the findings from brain spect, autism is caused by neuroinflammation that blocks circulation of the brain tissue and malnutrition of the nerve cells. Where does the inflammation come from? There are two possible reasons that lead to neuroinflammation. One is neurotoxins such as heavy metals; the other is autoimmune responses. These two factors are closely related. Neural affinity of the heavy metals such as mercury may be the reason that causes autoimmune response. There have been enough evidences that support the above claim.

In addition to neurotoxins, malfunction of the digestive system has also been observed from majority of the autism cases. It believes that Candida, parasite and viral infections play important role in toxin accumulation and increased inflammation level in the body, which makes neuroinflammation and malnutrition worse.

Most of the autism children have a family history of either allergies or autoimmune diseases. Meanwhile, many of them also have mutations in one or more genes that participate in liver detox functions. The malfunction of the immune system and slow liver detox function plus over vaccination early in life can be a deadly combination that pushes the body into autism

Popular Biomedical therapies for autism focus on the toxin issue. Detoxifying nervous and digestive system is the optimal goal of the therapy. However, some autism children do not respond to detox therapy well because of server allergies or Candida/viral infections. Although some of them respond well with antifungal and antiviral medications, most of them can’t maintain the good result after the medication is removed.

To solve this problem, immune system has to be carefully examined. There are two T Helper cell responses after a pathogen/allergen is detected. TH1 response is a cell-mediated immunity that involves Macrophages and Natural Killer cells for the invasion of intracellular antigen/allergens. TH2 response is an antibody-mediated immunity that involves B cell, antibodies, Mast cells, Basophils and Eosinophils and is an extracellular antigen/allergen driven process. Imbalance of the two responses causes many immune related diseases. Over expression of the TH1 function is the bases for Crohn’s disease and psoriasis, while over expression of the TH2 response causes allergies, asthma and eczema etc. Evidence suggests that autism belongs to the autoimmune condition that involves over producing TH2 antibodies. It is consistent with the finding that autism is strongly associated with asthma, allergy and eczema.

Over expression of the TH2 response is always associated with the under expression of the TH1 response. The result is inability to fight for the infection of the intracellular pathogens such as virus, mycoplasma and borrelia (Lyme) bacteria. Therefore, allergies, swollen tonsils, “high viral load” and “always gets sick” belong to the same package of the autism, and have to be treated as well.

Imbalance of the TH1 and TH2 response is a result of the imbalance of the messenger molecules called cytokines, which are the immune modulators such as interleukins and growth factors. Cytokines together with hormones, neurotransmitters and their receptors form cellular communication system in the body. Many chronic diseases including autism, cancer, allergies and autoimmune conditions are result of malfunction of the communication network.

Allergy and autoimmune response is a result of the imbalance of the cytokines, and becomes a vicious circle to cause further damage to the cellular communication system as well. Without addressing this issue, allergies, autoimmune responses and infections always lead to chaos in the body and neurological detoxification never happens.  

Unfortunately conventional Western medicine does not provide any solutions for the malfunction of the cellular communications.  Common therapies such as replacement and supplementation may not help this situation either. On the other hand, some alternative therapies such as homeopathy, allergy desensitization and Immune System Reprogramming show promising results toward this condition. Immune System Reprogramming is a technique combining homeopathy and acupuncture (non-invasive). It signals the body to balance the communication system with energetic approach. It helps to desensitize allergy as well.

Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicago and have an Out-of-Town program as well. Form more information, please visit www.highlysensitivebody.com.

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• Sleep as much as you can!  Good rest promotes the body’s regeneration process so it is important that you sleep extra when you are sick.
• Eat less than normal.  Eat more fruits and vegetables, less grains and protein.  Eat more liquid foods, less solid foods.  Digesting protein takes a lot of energy, energy the immune system needs to find the disease.
• Don’t keep eating your favorite food during the time you are sick.  Since many food allergies are developed during the time the body is not balanced (while sick), all of a sudden you may no longer wants to eat your favorite food!
• Do not eat any fish and seafood when you are sick.  In the oriental culture, it is believed that seafood is festering in nature, which prolongs the disease process.
• To hydrate the body during the cold/flu, try using chicken soup (chicken wings, few slices of ginger, cooking wine to boil for 20 minutes) and Pedialite instead of soft drinks or sports drinks.  High concentration in sugary drinks promotes Candida outbreak, further weaken the immune system.
• Stop all remedies except those that address the immune and digestion.  Go back on them once you are better.  This prevents you to develop allergy to your remedies.
• Keep repeating all the pathogen tapping in this order: Mycoplasma, Virus 1, Virus 2, Bacteria 3, Bacteria 4, Bacteria 1, Bacteria 2.

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Do you have children (or adults as well) on a gluten-free and/or casein free diet?  Here some tips on how to travel with them and still eat well.

• Plan ahead, look for and print out addresses of stores in the destination city where you can buy GF/CF foods.  Markets such as Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Sweetbay (many in Florida) and Econofoods (Michigan) are some of the good choices.  Many areas in California you can find corner grocery stores that carry gluten free foods on a regular basis.

• In regular supermarkets you can sometimes find GF/CF food as well.  Tostitos and many other smaller brands make 100% corn ships, and there are a few healthier potato chips as well.

• When reserving for lodging, look for places such as timeshares and condos with full kitchen where you can cook some simple foods.  These places are usually bigger and more comfortable to stay in anyway.  In today’s economy, often you can find places cheaper and more comfortable and convenient than hotels.  (www.vacationrentals.com; www.VRBO.com, www.valuevacationrentals.com)

• Cook lunch to bring with you to the beach or the park.  It may be a little time consuming, but you will have time to relax later without having to drag everybody to eat gluten for lunch, after spending only 2 or 3 hours on the beach in the morning. 

• Pack some essential GF/CF foods in your checked-in luggage.   That way you don’t have to shop for them immediately after arrival when everyone is tired and cranky.

• Bring or buy snacks everywhere you go while on vacation—they often see chocolate cookies somewhere (or everywhere) on vacation, and will demand for them!  If you already brought or bought your own version…ooohla, you can just whip it out and satisfy their cravings. 

• When choosing restaurants to eat out, try to choose restaurant with a GF/CF menu.  Triumph Dinning (800-558-2906) publishes a gluten free restaurant guide that is very helpful. 

• If you are in an area where no GF/CF restaurants are available, try to eat at oriental restaurants where wheat is separated from other foods (ie. You won’t find wheat in fried rice or stir fries, avoid fried food though).  Although there is a small amount of gluten in some soy sauce, you can always order your entries in white sauce.  Another choice is seafood restaurants where you can order steamed or grilled entries, just ask them to not use butter and cheese when cooking.  Oh, and refuse the rolls too.

• While at the airport, if you have time, order some food that are GF/CF from the food court and take them with you onto the plane.  You usually have more choices at the food court than on the plane…and where your children are hungry they won’t wait until the plane lands to eat!

• How about grandparents who just don’t understand all this “Gluten free stuff”?  How about teaching your kids to say for themselves:” Grandma/grandpa, I can’t eat this stuff, it’s bad for me.” Or in some cases, “I can’t eat this, I get a stomachache.”  Often they respect the grandkids’ request more than ours!

• Do you realize grandparents resist GF/CF diets because they really DIDN’T know how to cook that way but didn’t want to ask either??  Living Without magazine has a page on each of their issues that explain what GF/CF is.  Bring a copy with you for the grandparents.  You just might get more cooperation, you will be surprised.

• And last but not least, just think how much less stare you will get while traveling, by keeping your kids on the good diet!

Happy summer travels.

Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicagoland and have an Out-of-Town program as well.

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This was prepared by my wife Angie for the parents of our autistic patients.

Breakfast Ideas

1. Hash Brown  

• Potato, regular or organic
• Cooking oil

Grate the potato using a grater; put potato strips on a paper towel to dry of a bit.  Put into separate packages and freeze them.  When cooking, take out one package and pan-fry with cooking oil.

2. Van’s GF/CF waffles from with maple syrup or honey (Fruitful Yield)

3. Perky’O cereal with WestSoy Rice Drink  (Fruitful Yield)

4. Small amount GF/CF flour mix, water (like making pancakes) and egg and veggie mixed in the blender for a happy omelet. 

5. Rice cakes with jelly and nut butters

6. French Toast with GF bread

Lunch Or Dinner Ideas

1. Peanut Butter & Jelly (low sugar) Sandwich with frozen GF bread or Tapioca Bread (no-need to be frozen).  Best bread would be the frozen ones stored in the frige side.  You can also mix creamy peanut butter with peanut halves and fresh berry slices with jelly.  It is much better!  For bread I like the Kinnikinnick’s Brown Rice Flour bread, Toasted.

2. S Better GF/CF corn dogs from Fruitful Yield

3. Amy’s GF/CF pizza plus cut up frozen breakfast sausages, warmed up in the oven or toaster or microwave

4. Put GF/CF red sauce and chopped up veggies and ground beef with spices in a saucepan and cook on medium for 20 minutes, serve with GF/CF spaghetti.  If person has texture problem then use veggie purees and some protein powder instead of veggie chunks and ground beef.

5. Organic chicken fried rice:

• beat up eggs, add salt and cooking wine, cook like omelet except keep stirring the eggs to small pieces
• pan-fry small chicken chunks until done
• in the saucepan heat cooking oil for 2 minutes on medium, stir fry small cut-up green onion strips for 20 seconds before mixing rice, cooked chicken and eggs in.  Add salt, then small amount of Organic Tamari wheat free soy sauce (Meijer, Jewel or Dominicks), or La Choy soy sauce (oriental food stores). 

6. Sweet Rice (also called sticky rice) Flour Crepe:

• Mix sweet rice flour with egg and water to make crepe-like thin pancakes in a saucepan. 
• Spread a thick layer of red bean paste (oriental food stores) on the crepe, add halved banana chunks in the middle and roll it up.  Cut up to smaller chunks when serving. 

7. Costco’s Frozen Salmon Burger Patties on Gluten Free Bread.
8. GF free macaroni (or Notta Pasta fettaccini) and soy sauce plus warmed up frozen GF/CF breakfast sausages (cut into small chunks)

9. Notta Pasta fettaccini with Road’s End Organics Alfredo Style Gluten Free Chreese Mix—add some salt, pepper and other favorite spices while making the gravy to make it tastier.

10. GF free macaroni and Road’s End Organics Cheddar Style Gluten Free Chreese Mix—add some salt, pepper and other favorite spices while making the gravy to make it tastier.

11. Marinated and broiled steaks, fish, ribs or chicken wings—George Foreman Grill is the best, great flavor, under 10 minutes cooking time and very easy to clean

12. Hard boiled eggs with some salt sprinkle or even ketchup (Heinz is GF/CF)

13. Buy gluten free pastas, and cook a lot of red sauce for it and keep frozen for future emergencies.  Even try the pastas with gluten free soy sauces (La Choy and Tamari soy sauces)

Drink Ideas

1. Mix soy milk with orange juice, end product tastes like yogurt smoothie
2. Westsoy soy or rice drinks with Ah!Laska chocolate syrup or honey or maple syrup
3. Fruit smoothies with Westsoy rice or soy milk and organic banana/mango/cantelope/honeydew, strawberry/blueberry, seedless watermelon, organic apple/bartlet/de anjou pears
4. Kirkman Lab’s DariFree powdered drink, just add water (cold or hot) and mix
5. Use Splurgee machine and all natural (no sugar or syrup added) to make colorful ice: cranberry juice for red, grape juice for purple and orange juice for yellow ice.

Snack Ideas

1. Freshly squeezed fruit juice popsicles 
2. GF/CF crackers with veggie cheese
3. Deerfield Bakery has GF/CF cookies
4. Trader Joe’s Flourless cookies

Shopping Ideas

1. Your local healthfood store usually has dedicated GF isles.  Just make sure it’s free of milk products (milk, butter, cheese) on the label.
2. Www.glutenfreemall.com
3. www.gfmeals.com
4. www.glutenfree.com
5. Living Without Magazine
6. Namestee baking mixes are the best, while some of the Red Mill mixes are the worst.
7. Glutino makes great products, especially their crunchy breadsticks in boxes!
8. Many online retailers will not charge tax on foods, just delivery charges that add up to be slightly more than the tax and the gas costs

Dr. Harry Hong's comprehensive program specializes in the integration of a variety of natural healing therapies such as energy testing, allergy desensitization, homeopathy, Chinese medicine and acupuncture, enzyme therapy, flower essences, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and much more. The Healing Light Co is committed to provide quality special care to the Highly Sensitive Person with Highly Sensitive Body. We are located at northwest suburb of Chicagoland and have an Out-of-Town program as well.

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