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Gluten Free & Casein Free Diets for Autistic Children

Gluten Free and Casein Free (GFCF) diets for autistic children are popular among parents, therapists and doctors. By completely flushing these ingredients out of the body, some autistic children have improved symptoms. Specific allergies to gluten and casein foods appear to cause significant agitation to children with autism, although there is no scientific evidence either for or against the diet. In order to be effective, complete removal of gluten and casein must occur. This process of eliminating both gluten and casein is difficult, as it restricts the already limited diet of Autistic children who are typically fussy eaters.

  1. Gluten Free

    • Gluten is a substance found in wheat-based products. Mostly anything that is white is likely to contain gluten: Breads, pastas, cereals, snacks and more all have gluten or gluten-containing products as an ingredient.

      A blood test can determine whether there is an allergy to gluten, although most medical doctors think a biopsy of the stomach is the only true way to diagnose the problem, known formally as Celiac Disease. Parents often try the diet even if their child does not have an allergy, and find that the child has convincing improvements.

      Supermarkets, health-food stores and the Internet all offer gluten-free foods. Common favorites such as pasta created using rice flour, cereals made from corn, and bread made with potato flour offer only a slightly different taste and texture. Slowly introducing the gluten-free foods ensures that most children will take to the diet by the time all gluten is replaced.

    Casein Free

    • Casein is an ingredient found only in milk and milk products. Some foods that do not appear to contain milk may actually have casein as an ingredient, so careful analysis of each food is necessary when considering the diet. Since casein seems to cause similar problem as gluten, most people choose to eliminate both at the same time, using traditional GFCF methods.

      Gluten free foods are usually casein free as well. Chocolate chip cookies have rice or potato flour and carob instead of chocolate. Rice or almond milk replaces cow's milk and is full of nutrients.

    Warnings

    • Although soy is a replacement for gluten and casein products, some consider it inappropriate for young children. Feeding children too much soy depresses the thyroid and contributes to other problems. When deciding to embark on a GFCF diet it is vital to be dedicated and involved in the process by creating a balanced and nutritious plan. The diet requires time, money and effort to be correct.

      As with gluten elimination, completing removing casein from the diet requires a doctor's supervision. Parents that choose to embark on the GFCF diet without the help of a medical professional may wind up making their children worse by causing nutritional deficiencies. While many nutritionists and homeopaths are equipped to monitor the diet, only a medical doctor can diagnose and treat a true food allergy.

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