There is a silent system within the body constantly conversing with the brain—but it is not the nervous system. The gut is.

What we do at Sunlit Spectrum 2025 is recognize that healing for neurodiverse kids starts much deeper than the outside. One of the most significant yet oft-forgotten areas to address is the integrity and health of their guts, and we’ve incorporated it as an essential aspect of our nature camp therapy.

🧠 The Gut and the Brain Are Interconnected
Neuroscience today verifies the close interconnectivity between the brain and the gut in the form of the gut-brain axis. The gut actually manufactures almost 90% of the body’s serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for mood, attention, and a feeling of calm.

Children with autism or sensory processing issues commonly experience imbalances in the gut—be it inflammation, dysbiosis, or food sensitivity issues. The brain gets stressed when the gut gets stressed.

🥗 What We Feed Matters — Here’s What We Avoid
We have developed a gut-friendly menu at Sunlit Spectrum based both on research and successful real-world experience.

✅ Millet-Based Meals – Full of fiber, magnesium, and antioxidants. Easy to digest and loaded with brain-fueling nutrients.

✅ Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Sugar-Free – Irritants are eliminated and inflammation reduced in order to promote healthier digestion and more tranquil behavior.

✅ Ferment & Hydrate Additions – Fresh fruit and fermented ingredients assist in cleansing the gut and maintaining microbiological diversity.

“Within only two days of camp meals, my son improved his attention span, slept soundly and appeared more relaxed than I’d witnessed in weeks.”
— Jaya Pati Ray

🌿 Why We Use the Term a Gut-Brain Detox
It’s not a diet—this is a reset. Our meal planning is created to:

Reduce gut inflammation

Enhance mood and clarity

Promote sensory equilibrium and emotional self-control

We do not consider mealtime as a break from the healing process but rather a part of it.

👨‍👩‍👧 Try This at Home: 3 Easy Tips for Parents

Replace white rice or wheat with foxtail or little millet in one meal a day.

Begin the day with a detox juice made at home – tulsi, lemon, and a pinch of ginger do the job!

Watch your child 30 minutes post-dairy or sugary snack — small habits tend to reveal big things!

🌞 Nutrition as a Pillar of Care at Sunlit Spectrum 2025
This is more than camp. This is entire-body development. Working with therapists, educators, and specially trained volunteers, our kids get care in all areas—what they eat included.
📍 Location: Swasti Bana, Bhubaneswar
📅 Dates: June 2–6, 2025
🌐 Register at: www.sunlitspectrum.online

For when we nourish the gut, we are feeding the mind. And when the mind is tranquil, children flourish.