Eating for Autism

For a large majority of kids with ASD, food is a big deal. I'm sure you have heard of a Gluten Free, Casein Free Diet (GFCF)

What is Gluten? Gluten and gluten-like proteins are found in wheat and other grains, including oats, rye, barley, bulgar, durum, kamut and spelt, and foods made from those grains. They are also found in food starches, semolina, couscous, malt, some vinegars, soy sauce, teriyaki sauce, flavorings, artificial colors and hydrolyzed vegetable proteins.

What is Casein? Casein is a protein found in milk and foods containing milk, such as cheese, cream, butter, yogurt, ice cream, whey and even some brands of margarine. It also may be added to non-milk products such as soy cheese and hot dogs in the form of caseinate.

According to one theory, some people with autism spectrum disorders cannot properly digest gluten and casein, which form peptides, or substances that act like opiates in their bodies. The peptides then alter the person's behavior, perceptions, and responses to his environment. Some scientists now believe that peptides trigger an unusual immune system response in certain people. Research in the U.S. and Europe has found peptides in the urine of a significant number of children with autism.

Kellen has been on a Wheat free, Dye free Diet (especially Red dye #40) for a few years now, per Dr. recommendation. It's only been over the past 3 weeks that we have decided to do a full GFCF diet. The reason we decided to to this now was because I was just diagnosed with a Gluten and Casein Allergies. So I figured now was a good time to try Kellen out on it, to see if would help. And with that we have also taken out All Artificial Coloring/Dyes, Artificial Preservatives, Artificial Flavoring, & Artificial Sweeteners! Nothing but whole foods, and home cooked meals. It may sound extreme, but its not to bad for us. We have been working up to this for years now. And there are so many GF foods we really aren't missing anything. Almond Breeze Milk & Ice Cream, Animal Cookies, Kettle Brand Chips, Pretzels, Vegan Butter, etc. And thus far we have seen HUGE improvements!!! It's hard to describe what kind of improvements we seen. We see a night a day difference when he gets Artificial Coloring & Preservatives.

On Saturday he had a few sips of a frozen Lemonade, which I new was going to have dyes, and sweeteners, and on Sunday he was having lots of meltdown, and high energy...well, higher any way.

To know more I would recommend this Book, Eating for Autism.

And for ideas on a GFCF diet here is a fantastic web page.