Autism DietThe autism diet has been a topic of controversy among medical professionals for years.Although there is currently no research to support the efficacy of the Autism GFCF diet, there are many anecdotal reports of improvement in autistic children after its implementation. Many professionals feel the Autism GFCF diet does not work at all and it’s unfair to give false hopes to parents by putting their children on a restrictive diet with promises of seeing an improvement. If your child has a wide variety of foods they will eat, does not have sensory issues that will prevent him from trying new foods, and as long as your child is well nourished, with some careful planning this diet may be worth a shot. If you are a parent of an autistic child and are determined to try anything you can to help your child break out of the cocoon he seems to be trapped in, here are some guidelines to follow.
What is the autism GFCF diet?The autism diet is a diet free of casein (milk protein) and gluten (wheat protein). This means all dairy and gluten need to be omitted from your child’s diet. This is no easy task. Most of the time your child’s favorite foods include wheat or milk protein, so you need to consider this and decide if the sacrifice is worth it.There are many ingredients that indicate the presence of milk and wheat. All of these foods will need to be eliminated. New foods may need to be found to reward him during ABA, and of course foods he eats regularly need to change to gluten free/casein free options. It often helps to concentrate on what he can have as opposed to what he can’t. You will learn, through your own research and through trial and error, the best brands to buy, where to shop and how make gluten free, casein free versions of your favorite dishes that are just as good as thier regular counterparts. Many sites include great gluten free, casein free recipes. If your child is underweight or a picky eater, it may be difficult to find gluten free, casein free foods that are high in calories. The link above will give you some suggestions. What nutrients are deficient in this diet?Although when carefully planned the gluten free, casein free diet can supply all of your child’s needs, this is very difficult, and it is usually recommended your child take a supplement or 2 while on the diet, or at least while you are learning the ins and outs of the diet. When choosing supplements please keep in mind they also need to be casein and gluten free, so check labels and purchase carefully.This diet is often deficient in fiber, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, folate, iron and calcium. These are the nutrients found in wheat and dairy, so a multivitamin and calcium supplement is recommended. If you still aren't sure if this is for you, look at this article on the diet. If you would like to discuss this in further detail to better understand what is entailed, speak to a dietitian before starting the autism diet. She can help you ensure your child is receiving the best nutrition possible.
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