Down Syndrome: A Day to Day Guide: Diet

Good, basic nutrition is the foundation your loved one needs to develop a healthy mind and body. I support Jett's great diet with supplements. This post explains how I figured out what he needs in addition to healthy foods.

You'd be surprise to know that your doctor probably only had two weeks of nutritional education during his/her entire medical training (ask!). So it's up to you to educate yourself. You must be armed with the facts (or know where to get them).

For instance, if/when your doctor recommends Miralax for constipation, you can immediately discard that thoughtless suggestion and think: "Hmm... Why would I want to give my child a band-aid that could potentially harm her when I could treat her thyroid or I could give her Vitamin C and/or Magnesium (at a level that is specific to your child) to cure her constipation?" Read more about Miralax here: Miralax never approved for children and Miralax damage. And you may find this post helpful as well: Constipation: Causes and Cures.

Here are some blog posts that will support your nutritional efforts as well as recommended books and websites:

Articles

The Diet Game

Tips on Breastfeeding a Baby with Down Syndrome

Why go Gluten Free for your child with Down syndrome?

Casein and Gluten Free

How I easily feed my toddler with Down syndrome

Nutrition & Baby Posts

Breastfeeding

Pregnant & Nursing Moms Need Choline to Help Baby

Baby Food & Formula Contain Arsenic, Toxic Metals

Healthy Alternative to Conventional Infant Formula

Signs of Nutritional Deficiency

First Foods: How & What & When to Introduce

First Foods: GAPS Introducing Solids

First Foods: Root/Leaf Vegetables

How Much Vitamin D3?

Seizures in the Down Syndrome Population: Information and Natural Treatment

Important Books to Read

Vitamin Therapy and Down Syndrome; Unlocking the secrets to improved health, intelligence and behavior by Kent McLeod

Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats by Sally Fallon and Mary Enig. A practical, entertaining guide to a can-do diet that is both nutritious and delicious. If I had to pick a diet that I believe is best for families of loved ones with DS, this would be the diet. For children with DS who have "stomach problems" I would look to the GAPS diet and Dr. Campbell-McBride's books.

Gut & Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Campbell-McBride

Gut and Psychology Syndrome reveals the true connection between nutrition and brain function. Written by a neurologist and practicing nutritionist. Reviewers have praised it for its wealth of information and advice. Presented in a style that will benefit both parents and practitioners, this book is definitely one to read and keep for reference.

More books that support the GAP diet.

More Weston A. Price Books.

Websites

Down Syndrome OPTIONs: Diet and Nutrition

Weston A. Price: The ABCs of Nutrition

GAPS Diet

Super Down Syndrome: Diet and Nutrition

Nutrition in Children and Adults