Fighting Back Autism with GFCF Diet

For most people, the breakdown of dietary and wheat proteins into usable energy is a relatively simple and symptom free process. The digestion process breaks down proteins into smaller and smaller peptides (amino acid  chains) and finally into individual amino acids which are then used by the body for energy. However, many children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) cannot properly digest proteins, like those found in wheat (gluten) and dairy (casein) products.

The improperly digested gluten and casein proteins form peptides or substances that act like opiates in the body. These opiate-like peptides can alter the person’s behavior, perceptions, and responses to their environment.

Implementing the Gluten Free – Casein Free Diet (GFCF Diet)

While mainstream medicine has yet to officially recommend a special diet for autism, many parents have had great success implementing a strict Gluten Free – Casein Free Diet (GFCF).  The theory behind the GFCF diet is that removing these poisons from the body will lessen autistic symptoms such as impulsive behaviors, lack of focus, and even speech problems.

The GFCF diet is by no means an easy undertaking, but since it has been proven successful it is definitely worth trying. To succeed at this diet, it must be undertaken for no less then 6 months and all gluten and casein must be completely eliminated from the child’s diet.

The first step in starting this diet is to slowly remove these items from daily meals. Start by removing all dairy (casein) products from the diet. This is the easiest to start with because the body can clear itself of milk (casein) the quickest. Gluten may be slowly removed from the diet the following month. It can take up to 6 months for the body to completely remove gluten, that is when you will start to see the successes of the diet and an improvement in your child’s ASD.

Identifying Gluten and Casein Foods

Casein is found in all dairy products or foods containing dairy, and really nothing else. When reading food labels look for and stay away from these ingredients:

• Milk
• Milk proteins
• Milk solids
• Caseinates
• Fortified proteins
• Curd

Gluten is found in many more grains and products. When reading food labels look for and stay away from these ingredients:

• Wheat
• Barely
• Rye
• Flour
• Triticale
• Spelt
• Semolina
• Durum
• Einkorn
• Bulgur
• Couscous
• Kamut
• Tabbouleh
• Cracker meal
• Malt vinegar

Considerations

The GFCF diet has passionate defenders, as well as skeptical critics. But both sides agree the diet isn’t inherently dangerous for children with autism, provided they receive other therapies and a balanced diet. Gluten-free grains like brown rice, oatmeal and cornmeal can step in for gluten-rich grains. Calcium and Vitamin D-fortified juices and gluten free cereals exist, and foods like spinach, almonds, cod liver oil, eggs and fatty fish also provide these nutrients.

Conclusion

Since ASD is such a tough disorder to understand and cope with, implementing a diet geared toward improvement, even minor improvement, will prove effective. Dietary Intervention may be that one piece of “the puzzle” which helps a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder toward the road for recovery. It will be a tough, yet very rewarding road.

GFCF Recipes For The Hungry Child with Autism

Mac ‘n Cheese

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked rice elbow macaroni (Tinkyada brand)
• ¼ cup finely chopped onion
• 1 tablespoon margarine (Earth Balance – RED tub vegetarian)
• 1 tablespoon tapioca or corn starch
• Dash black pepper
• 1 ¼ cup Rice Milk
• 2 cups shredded American/cheddar cheese (Daiya dairy free brand)

Directions

1. Cook rice macaroni according to directions.
2. In a saucepan, cook onion in margarine until tender. Stir in flour and pepper.
3. Add rice milk.
4. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly.
5. Add cheese. Stir until melted.
6. Stir macaroni into cheese.
7. Transfer to a 1 quart casserole.
8. Bake uncovered in 350 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes – until bubbly.

Simple Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup of Sugar
• 1 cup of Natural Peanut Butter
• 1 large egg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Mix all three ingredients.
3. Scoop out the dough and roll it into one inch balls.
4. Place on prepared cookie sheet 2 inches apart.
5. Use a flat bottomed cup to somewhat flatten each dough ball out.
6. Cook for exactly 9 minutes.
7. Once removed from the oven, let the cookies cool for a few minutes before placing them on a cooling rack.
8. Recipe should yield about 36 cookies.