The principles of Sara’s Diet are that, once the lutein foods are removed, we should advance to providing a diet that meets all nutrient needs of the individual on a daily basis. This is not always easy, especially as nutrient needs vary greatly depending on cultural-genetic variables, metabolic differences, age, sex, health, level of gut dysbiosis etc. and as many autists are used to a very self-selective diet. As the immune system loses it’s grip on the digestive processes, you will see appetite improving, a willingness to experiment, healing of the gut and decrease in gut pathogens and yeast overgrowth. For some, reduction in gluten and casein can proceed gradually – remove yeast breads, whole milk and hard cheese first. For those with serious yeast and gut dysbiosis, try coconut milk, yogurt (with bifidus and lactobacillus) and/or natural aloe vera juice, and limit sugar intake. Acetylcholine precursor foods (or as supplements) must be used daily (see below). Vitamin A as cod liver oil is essential. Oats do not contain gluten, except possibly as a contaminant. Except for those who are truly hypersensitive to gluten, oats can be a valuable nutrient source.

Eating out
Eating out doesn’t have to be a headache. We have eaten in restaurants around the world, and almost always manage to find something we like. Chinese and Indian restaurants are particular favorites – At Indian restaurants choose plain rice (fried rice often contains egg, but you can always ask), popadoms (usually made with non-lutein containing lentils), raita (yogurt and cucumber), Chicken Tikka Masala, potato and cauliflower dishes, Lamb Korma etc. At Chinese restaurants: avoid sweet and sour (contains red food dye) choose garlic or Kung Pau chicken or pork dishes, wanton soup, plain rice, rice noodles, prawn crackers. Middle eastern: egg plant dip, chickpea dip (tabouli), fennel dishes, kebab. European: Sausages, chips, steak, roast chicken, turkey, baked potatoes with sour cream, cabbage, cauliflower. America: Denny’s and Shoney’s serve ham, mashed potatoes, steak and chips, breakfast ham, sausages etc. with egg white. McDonalds: French fries, plain burger without bun, chicken breast, breakfast sausages, egg whites, hash browns, potato pancakes. Italian can be difficult if avoiding wheat. Eggplant parmesan, antipasta (salad) with salami, black olives, tomatoes and lettuce, broiled garlic fish. Mexican: chilli con carne, chilli beans and rice, salads. White corn tortillas are usually available.

Acetylcholine
Acetylcholine has many functions in the body, including immune function activity, regulation of dopamine, binding to and removal of toxins. Acetylcholine is the only substance which can bind to and remove wheat toxins including gluten and the ‘toxic gliadin factor’. The enzyme in saliva called sialic acid breaks down simple sugar and kills bacteria at the point of ingestion. The sialic acid precursors are the same as the acetylcholine precursors: DMG, such as brown rice, white yam or supplement; complex polysaccharides such as root vegetables and berries; choline (from potato, lettuce, butter, peanut butter and apple) inositol (from soy oil/lecithin) and arachidonic acid (from blackcurrants, beef liver, safflower oil). Individuals with autism are often lacking one or more of these precursors in their diet. These same food precursors are needed to produce rennin for the regulation of blood pressure, renin for the break down of dairy protein (in the stomach so that it does not reach the gut intact) and the manufacture of prostaglandins which regulate pain stimuli. Adequate intake of acetylcholine precursors in the diet is essential for the autist. From this information it can be understood how just adding one nutrient e.g. DMG, cod-liver oil or blackcurrant juice can lead to enormous improvements for the autist, leading to frequent claims of ‘breakthroughs’ and ‘miracle cures’ for this population.

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