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Red Light, Green Light: Carbohydrate Edition
Ashleigh Stewart
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Red Light, Green Light: Carbohydrate Edition

Macronutrients in the diet are categorized into proteins, fats and carbohydrates. The carbohydrates we consume are then classified into monosaccharide, disaccharides and polysaccharides increasing in complexity respectively. Through evolution, our digestive systems have evolved to breakdown and metabolize these varying types of carbohydrates. However, some of our digestive systems have not quite reached the level of density and intricacy in digesting complex carbohydrates. When these complex carbohydrates remain undigested in the gut, they invite micro biome imbalances—yeast and bacterial overgrowths. These overgrowths can cause symptoms such as chronic diarrhea or constipation, bloating, eczema or skin rashes, allergies, attention deficits and irritability or mood swings.

Do these symptoms sound familiar? Many children with Autism often experience gastrointestinal imbalances. Therefore, it comes with no surprise that reportedly 70% of young children with Autism experience chronic yeast and bacterial intestinal overgrowth.2 Once the overgrowth occurs, it becomes a viscous cycle of the intestinal microbes feeding off of the complex dietary carbohydrates for energy and furthering the microbial imbalance. So how exactly do we put a stop to this cycle? The Specific Carbohydrate Diet.

The Specific Carbohydrate diet has been reported to reduce gastrointestinal discomforts, improve gut-brain interactions and eliminate inflammation.3,4 By adopting the SCD, the dietary changes starve harmful microbes to balance intestinal flora. The SCD is designed to eliminate consumption of complex carbohydrates and focus on simple, easy to digest carbohydrates and whole foods. See below for our custom designed Red Light, Green Light Specific Carbohydrate Diet Resource.5


With picky eaters on our hands, tailoring meals within the SCD guidelines may present challenges. However, the SCD allows for customization within your child’s dietary preferences and food allergies and ultimately aims to eliminate fussy food choices and reduce food sensitivities. Often times, picky eating habits result from craving and dependence on starchy, high carbohydrate foods. Eliminating these options in the diet can decrease fussy habits. Food sensitivities and allergic reactions are known to present with an imbalanced leaky gut. Clearing out the gut with the SCD can desensitize the body to dietary sensitivities.

Have you tried all the diets recommended for Autism treatment? Finding no success?

While each diet may have its similarities, no two diets are the same. When the going gets tough, each diet’s benefits should be considered before ruling it out. At least 75% of individuals who have adhered to the SCD rigidly have seen optimal success.1

Now go on, take your Red Light, Green Light list and get shopping!
1. "About The Diet - Breaking The Vicious Cycle." Breakingtheviciouscycle.info. N.p., 2017. Web. 26 Aug. 2017.
2. Adams JB, Johansen LJ, Powell LD, Quig D, Rubin RA. Gastrointestinal flora and gastrointestinal status in children with autism -- comparisons to typical children and correlation with autism severity. BMC Gastroenterology. 2011;11:22. doi:10.1186/1471-230X-11-22.
3. Axe, Josh. "SCD Diet: Can A Specific Carbohydrate Diet Help You?." Dr. Axe. N.p., 2017. Web
4. Krajmalnik-Brown R, Lozupone C, Kang D-W, Adams JB. Gut bacteria in children with autism spectrum disorders: challenges and promise of studying how a complex community influences a complex disease. Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease. 2015;26:10.3402/mehd.v26.26914. doi:10.3402/mehd.v26.26914.
5. Red Light, Green Light Specific Carbohydrate Diet Resource. 1st ed. Belmar: Integrative Wellness Group, 2016. Print.
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Tags: SCD DietCarbohydratesDiet RecommendationsDietary ChangesFood List
Ashleigh Stewart

Ashleigh StewartAshleigh Stewart

Ashleigh is currently enrolled at New York Chiropractic College in pursuit of her Master’s Degree in applied Clinical Nutrition. While she attends school full-time, she works as the Functional Medicine Program Director at Integrative Wellness Group.

Other posts by Ashleigh Stewart
Contact author Full biography

Full biography

Ashleigh is currently enrolled at New York Chiropractic College in pursuit of her Master’s Degree in applied Clinical Nutrition. While she attends school full-time, she works as the Functional Medicine Program Director at Integrative Wellness Group. Integrative Wellness Group is a facility that serves patients both near and far in the most up to date integrated forms of medicine. Some conditions that IWG serves include sensory, neurological, dermatological, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular disorders, and specific conditions such as Lyme disease, Autism, ADD/ADHD, PANDAS, and mold illness.

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