Basics About GFCF (Gluten Free/Casein Free) Diet for Autism

Diet based therapy is common for many health conditions. In autism, one of the popular treatments is “diet therapy” that helps to balance the body, like “Gluten Free Autism” or “GFCG Autism.” The GFCF diet for autism aims to help bring that balance by eliminating gluten and casein.

It is important to understand that the digestive system is the “first-line of defense” for the immune system. The digestive tract needs to be strong in order to prevent many chemical and physiological disruptions. As to autism, recovery from symptoms can be dramatic with changes in diet. Dieticians have found that removing certain foods and adding others can improve the quality of life for kids that suffer from autism. Gluten and casein have been found to cause issues for kids with autism; therefore, they should be removed from the diet. Other foods that have healing properties are added. This can help improve balance in the body’s biochemical, increase healing and relieve symptoms of autism.

What Is GFCF Diet for Autism?

The GFCF dietis a diet that is casein and gluten free, which is one of many alternative methods of treatment for autism.This is a very strict diet where any food items with gluten and casein are completely eliminated from an autistic child’s diet. Gluten comes from wheat, barley and rye. Casein comes from milk and dairy products.

There is a common belief that autistic children may be allergic or sensitive to gluten and casein. Often, even when allergy testing is negative, parents still opt to follow the GFCF diet who later report improvement in their child’s behavior and speech based symptoms.

What Should Children on GFCF Diets Eat?

Foods to Eat in GFCF/ Gluten Free Autism

When you start the GFCF diet, be careful of “cross-contamination” of the foods your child is eating and the foods they are not supposed to eat. To do this, avoid bulk processed foods, foods fried in commercial fryers and wash food prep items well.

Food Type

Foods to Eat

Oils

Olive oil, animal fats (lard), coconut oil, sesame oil, ghee (casein free)

Milk Substitutes

Coconut milk, almond milk, rice milk, potato milk

Flour and Grain

Rice flour, potato flour, tapioca flour, quinoa, amaranth, buckwheat, millet, nut flour

Foods to Avoid in GFCF/ Gluten Free Autism

Food Type

Foods to Avoid

Gluten

Wheat, barley, oats (try GF oats), rye, spelt, triticale, kamut, malt, soy sauce, semolina, bologna and hot dogs, gravy and sauce mixes, potato chips and commercial French fries, spice mixes, artificial colors and flavors

Cassein

Milk, whey, sour cream, yogurt, butter, cheese, ice cream, kefir, milk chocolate, lactose, lactic acid, lactalbumin, sherbet, caseinate, cool whip, artificial butter flavor, hot dogs, bologna, tuna from a can, potato chips with seasoning

What to Consider When Implementing GFCF Diet 

  • Watch out for excess sugar. When starting the GFCF/gluten free autism diet, it is easy to find excess sugar in gluten free substitutes. Try to keep GF treats with sugar to a minimum.
  • Find similar substitute foods.If your child likes pancakes for breakfast, there are GF pancake mixes or rice flour wafflesthat are just as delicious.
  • Ease younger children into the diet slowly. Younger kids may have a hard time switching. Go easy and try not to change the diet all at once. You can easily fill a milk jug up with rice or almond milk.
  • Be careful with corn and soy. Many GF and CF products use corn and soy in place of casein and gluten. These can also cause reactions. Try to use these products sparingly.
  • Make sure products are really Gluten and Casein free. “Wheat-free” or “dairy-free” does not necessarily mean gluten or casein free. If you are not sure, call the product manufacturer.
  • Make sure your child is getting adequate nutrition. After removing gluten and casein from your child’s diet, you need to add in more healthy nutritious foods to take their place. Make sure your child is getting enough calcium and possibly add a multi-vitamin supplement. Make sure your child is getting enough protein and calories.
  • Try juices and smoothies. Your child needs antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. One way to do this is making fun smoothies with fruit, veggies, almond milk and a scoop of protein powder.
  • Use digestive enzymes. While working your way into the full GFCF diet, try using a digestive enzyme to help them digest gluten and casein. This helps if they get cross-contamination effects during the transition.

How to Implement GFCF Diet

Once you get going with the GFCF diet, you will find it is fairly simple to begin substituting GF and CF foods for all your child’s favorites. Many regular foods now come in GF versions. For bread, some people find it better to make it themselves. You may have to try a few different types of CF cheese before you find one with a good texture. Before you know it, your child will be eating gluten-free and casein-free with no problems or complaints.

Try these east steps to get your child started:

  • Start by researching. Find books, videos, cookbooks and websites dedicated to the GFCF diet. Look for other parents’ experiences. Learn about how to handle different situations like picky eaters, food reactions and recipes.
  • Practice working with gluten-free and casein-free foods and recipes. Work with the different ingredients like gluten-free flour in pancakes. Cook up some rice pasta. Make your child some gluten-free snacks. See what works first before incorporating things into a meal plan.
  • Create your GFCF/gluten free autism menu. Use the list above and create a weekly menu plus a few snacks a day that are GFCF. You don’t have to be too rigid at first; maybe just a few gluten-free, casein-free meals a week.
  • Go shopping. Make a shopping list for your meal plan for your weekly grocery shopping trip. Watch for sales on these items, but don’t buy in bulk just yet. You may find a certain flour doesn’t work well or your child may refuse certain items.
  • Start eliminating foods slowly. Begin taking casein out of the diet for a few weeks and then take away gluten over a three to six month time period. Go slowly and watch for reactions and/or improvements.

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