Diet Intervention

One of the treatment options available to children with autism is the gluten, casein, soy, corn, sugar and yeast free diet option. Some parents have reported that their children have shown mild to dramatic improvements in speech, eye contact, less constipation or diarrhea, and better behavior after these substances were removed from their diet. The foods that these substances are found in as as follows:

• 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, flavorings, artificial colors and hydrolyzed vegetable proteins.
• Casein is a protein found in milk and products containing milk, such as cheese, 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.
• Soy protein is similar to gluten and casein and hence removing it can also help.
• Some children have autism that appears to have been triggered by intolerance to many foods and/or chemicals, the main offenders being wheat, cow's milk, corn, sugar and citrus fruits, although each child may be affected by different substances. The children also have many almost unnoticeable physical problems, namely excessive thirst, excessive sweating, especially at night, low blood sugar, diarrhea, bloating, rhinitis, inability to control temperature, red face and/or ears and dark circles under the eyes.
• Major yeast offenders are vinegar, pickles, chocolate, peanut butter and corn. Both peanuts and corn are often contaminated with mold. Chicken are fed much cottonseed and cottonseed is contaminated with mold.
• Foods that CAN be eaten on a gluten-free, casein-free diet include rice, quinoa, amaranth, potato, buckwheat flour, fruits, vegetables, beans, tapioca, meat, poultry, fish (ones low in mercury), teff, nuts, eggs, and sorghum, among others.

Below are some useful links:

• AUTISM: You can help by changing to a yeast free, gluten free, casein free diet and using Homeopathy!
• MYCO-Toxic Foods and Pesticides in Produce
• Nutritional Therapies and Autism
• Treatments and Approaches for Autism
• Special Diet for Autism and PDD: The Truth About the Gluten-Free, Casien-Free Diet
• Gluten Free / Casein Free Diet An Essential Handout for Teachers & Aides
• Diet: Gluten-Free; Casein-Free (GFCF)
• The GFCF Diet Gluten Free Casein Free
• Special Dietary Interventions
• Other GFCF Resources

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