Good or Bad - Nitrates

 The Paradox of Nitrates: Beneficial or Harmful?

Our bodies exist in a delicate biochemical balance, one in which compounds like nitrates play a paradoxical role. We are told that nitrates are both essential and dangerous, life-sustaining and carcinogenic. The truth, as always, lies in the details.

Nitrates, in their natural form, are abundant in leafy greens, beets, and certain fruits. When consumed through these sources, they enhance nitric oxide production, a molecule that improves blood flow, reduces blood pressure, and even enhances cognitive function. These effects are demonstrable, measurable, and consistently replicated in scientific literature. To say that nitrates are universally harmful is simply false.

However, in processed meats—bacon, hot dogs, and deli meats—nitrates exist in a very different biochemical environment. When combined with high heat and certain proteins, they can form nitrosamines, compounds that have been linked to cancer. This is not speculation but an empirically grounded reality. The same molecule, under different conditions, can serve radically different purposes—either promoting longevity or increasing disease risk.

The ethical and practical takeaway is simple: context matters. A nitrate from spinach is not the same as one from processed meat. The distinction is not trivial; it is fundamental. If we are to act rationally in pursuit of health, we must move beyond simplistic labels of “good” or “bad” and engage with the complexity that science reveals. The truth, as always, does not yield to convenience.

Beetroot is a rich source of healthy nitrates, other foods high in nitrates include:

Lettuce: A green leafy vegetable that's high in nitrates

Radishes: A root vegetable that's high in nitrates

Celery: A vegetable that's high in nitrates

Fennel: A vegetable that's high in nitrates

Chinese cabbage: A vegetable that's high in nitrates

Parsley: A vegetable that's high in nitrates

Arugula: A leafy green vegetable that's high in nitrates

Basil: A leafy green vegetable that's high in nitrates

Collards: A leafy green vegetable that's high in nitrates

Rhubarb: A root vegetable that's high in nitrates

Swiss chard: A leafy green vegetable that's high in nitrates

Red spinach: A plant that's high in nitrates

Nitrates in vegetables support heart health, blood pressure, and athletic performance. 

ABA, PTSD and Autism

 Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, despite its widespread adoption as a treatment for autism, warrants critical examination, particularly from the perspective of those subjected to it. 

ABA is founded on the principles of behaviorism, which aim to modify behavior through reinforcement and, historically, punishment. 

While proponents tout its ability to instill "desirable" behaviors and reduce those deemed maladaptive, many autistic individuals have reported profoundly aversive experiences, with some even developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result. 

To understand this, we must explore both the mechanics of ABA and its impact on the lived experience of the autistic person.

At its core, ABA seeks to train autistic individuals to conform to neurotypical standards of behavior, often prioritizing compliance over autonomy.

 Tasks such as maintaining eye contact or suppressing stimming behaviors—actions which may serve as vital self-regulation tools for the autistic individual—are often targeted for modification. 

For many, this amounts to a systematic erasure of their natural ways of being. This process can feel dehumanizing, as it implicitly communicates that their authentic self-expression is unacceptable.

Moreover, ABA’s rigid structure can make it inherently coercive.

 Autistic children, who are often the primary recipients of ABA, may not fully understand why they are being subjected to certain interventions.

 They may comply not out of genuine comprehension or agreement, but to avoid negative reinforcement or to earn fleeting rewards. 

Such practices risk overriding an individual’s natural boundaries, leading to a profound sense of *disempowerment and vulnerability*

 When compliance is enforced repeatedly, especially in the absence of true agency, it can create a traumatic imprint.

The trauma associated with ABA often arises from the dissonance between the autistic person's inner experience and the external demand to suppress or reshape it. 

PTSD symptoms reported by some individuals include flashbacks, heightened anxiety, and distrust of authority figures. 

These symptoms are not incidental; they reveal the deep psychological cost of being treated as a problem to be fixed rather than as a person to be understood.

In the pursuit of "normalcy," ABA can inadvertently strip individuals of their authenticity and autonomy. 

A more compassionate approach would prioritize understanding and respecting autistic perspectives, embracing diversity rather than seeking to erase it. 

Only then can we hope to avoid the unintended harm caused by well-meaning but ultimately flawed interventions.

Elizabeth Lucy Robillard, 2025

Ai assisted

Tips for Eating and Sleeping in Autism

(Assisted by Ai)

Tips for Eating & Sleeping in Autism

As both a therapist and a parent, I’ve learned that positive reinforcement, when used thoughtfully and without reliance on negative “aversives” (something I personally experienced with ABA therapy), can be incredibly effective. However, the most valuable advice I ever received about sleep actually came from a traditional child psychologist rather than ABA specialists.

Picky eating, on the other hand, can be a major concern for caregivers of children with learning challenges—it certainly was for me. Over time, I found some practical strategies that worked, and I hope they’ll be helpful for you too.

Encouraging New Foods: A Tailored Reward System

Creating a reward system tailored to your child’s needs can help make trying new foods less stressful and more achievable.

Step 1: Identify Motivators

Take note of what your child loves most—this could be toys, screen time, sensory activities, stickers, or verbal praise. Use these motivators as immediate rewards for progress at mealtime.

Step 2: Choose a Tracking Method

Token System: Create a token board with a theme your child enjoys, like spaceships or animals.

Example: “Earn 5 stars to watch your favorite show.”

Sticker Chart: Use bright, colorful stickers to mark each step of progress.

Example: “For every interaction with the new food, you earn a sticker. After 3 stickers, you’ll get your reward.”

Step 3: Set Clear Expectations

Be very specific about the action your child needs to take to earn a reward.

Example: “You’ll earn a star if you touch the carrot,” or “Take one bite of the yogurt to get a sticker.”

Keep goals realistic, based on your child’s current comfort level and learning ability.

Step 4: Reinforce Immediately

Give rewards as soon as the desired behavior happens. This strengthens the connection between the action and the reward.

Example: “Well done trying a bite! Here’s your star for the chart.”

Remember to be patient—new habits can take time to form, but persistence pays off.

Step 5: Gradually Raise the Bar

Start with very small goals, such as simply smelling the new food. Once your child is comfortable, slowly increase the challenge—touching the food, licking it, and eventually taking a bite.

Step 6: Use Visual Supports

Visual aids can help clarify the process for your child. Create a simple sequence, such as:

1. Try the food.

2. Earn a token or sticker.

3. Receive the reward.

Step 7: Incorporate Special Interests

Make the process engaging by tapping into your child’s unique interests.

Example: A dinosaur-themed chart for a child who loves dinosaurs.

Use tokens shaped like their favorite animals or characters.

Step 8: Celebrate Success

Celebrate even the smallest steps forward with enthusiastic verbal praise.

Example: “Wow, you touched the apple! You’re so brave.”

Positive reinforcement over time can help build confidence and reduce anxiety around new foods.

Step 9: Keep It Consistent

Stick with the same system every day so your child knows what to expect. Make sure all caregivers follow the same approach to avoid confusion or setbacks.

Improving Sleep:

Getting my son to sleep through the night was a significant challenge, but one strategy worked wonders for us.

For four nights, I lay beside him as he fell asleep. During this time, I offered him nothing but water and avoided engaging with any of his behaviors. The only interaction I had was settling him back into bed and tucking him in—no talking, no eye contact, and no unnecessary interaction.

It was incredibly difficult to stick to, but by the fifth night, he began taking himself to bed and mostly sleeping through the night. The sleepless nights were less often and a more regular healthy sleep pattern emerged. 

Both eating and sleeping improvements require patience, consistency, and a willingness to adapt the approach to suit your child’s unique needs. These strategies worked for me, and I hope they help you too!

Elizabeth Lucy Robillard 2025