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Low Oxalate Diet (LOD) for Autism, Foods

Introduction

Foods in the diet high in oxalates can be troublesome.  High oxalate foods can cause body pain, urinary tract infections, skin sensitivities, diarrhea and yeast and fungal overgrowth.  When oxalic acid is very high in the blood from eating a lot of foods high in oxalates, it may combine with calcium to form crystals.  In a healthy digestive tract, oxalate crystals will pass through and either be metabolized by the good bacteria or excreted through stool.  In an unhealthy digestive tract that is leaky (such as in some children with autism), these oxalate crystals may end up in the blood, urine or tissue leading to further inflammation in the intestines.  A low oxalate diet (LOD) may reduce the inflammation and pain in children with autism as well as mitigate other symptoms of autism.

Related Sites

Nourishing Hope
Description:  A blog encouraging participation in the low oxalate diet plan.

A Compilation of Advice for Using the Low Oxalate Diet for Autism
Description:  Find out why your child with autism may need a low oxalate diet. This site also provides a useful diet plan and some helpful websites.

Low Oxalate Diet
Description:  This website provides information on what oxalates are and how to incorporate a low oxalate diet into your everyday life.

Low Oxalate Food Guide
Description:  This chart from the American Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics spotlights foods that are either low or moderate in oxalates.

High Oxalate Foods Can Trigger Pain and Inflammation by Sandra Pawula
Description:  You’ll find more than 300 articles in the archives to help you live a happier and more purposeful life.

Books

The Low Oxalate (Low Histamine) Cookbook by Yasmina Ykelenstam
Description:  This cookbook will help to reduce oxalates as well as histamines. With only minor adaptations, the reader will be able to make many anti-inflammatory dishes for the whole family.

The Low Oxalate Cookbook: Book 2 by Joanne Yount and Annie Gottlieb
Description:  Loaded with information such as: hints, guidelines, over 250 recipes, 400 new foods, a low oxalate table, as well as low oxalate foods from common restaurants and hotels; this cookbook is an all in one depiction of the low oxalate diet plan.

Real Food Real Results: Gluten-Free, Low-Oxalate, Nutrient-Rich Recipes by Melinda Keen
Description:  Recipes high in key vitamins and minerals, high in protein, and high in fiber. This holistic approach gives the body a chance to detoxify and reset health.

Low Oxalate Fresh and Fast Cookbook: Hope and Help for the Low Oxalate Dieter by Melinda Keen
Description:  Together with pictures, cooking hints, and healthy information, this LOD cookbook provides recipes for quick and delicious down-home meals.

Tools

Low Oxalate Diet Recipes
Description:  A special section of this website takes you right to the recipes and food lists needed to follow the LOD.

Low Oxalate Meal Plans
Description:  If you’re new to the low oxalate diet and are feeling confused, here are a few simple low oxalate meal plans to help you get started. Hopefully, these low oxalate meal plans will see you through the first 3-5 days of your low oxalate diet with confidence. Take this time to read the low oxalate food list and to figure out some other healthy favorites you can eat.

Low Oxalate Foods
Description:  A one page list of LOD approved foods is provided to aid the reader.

Low Oxalate Diet Food Tables
Description:  This site provides charts that will help you avoid foods high in oxalate and help you eat foods low in oxalate.

Parent Forums/Blogs

Some forums require you to sign in to Yahoo or Facebook to locate forum names.

Forum/Blog Name:  Trying Low Oxalates
Description:  A parent discussion group where you can ask questions and search for answers regarding the LOD.

Forum/Blog Name:  High Oxalates
Description:  This parent forum is addressing oxalates found on the Body Ecology Diet Recovering Our Kids (BEDROK) website.

Forum/Blog Name:  Low Oxalate Foodies
Description:  Group members discuss foods, recipes and menus that are low oxalate.

Forum/Blog Name:  Low Oxalate/Salicylate Content
Description:  This group is for families who want to broaden their knowledge base of the Low Oxalate/Salicylate Content Diets.