Diet for Autistic Kids

The Gluten-Free, Casein-Free (GFCF) Diet is the main diet that parents of autistic kids use to try to lessen their children's autistic symptoms. Although it has not been scientifically proven, many parents swear by its efficacy. Finding foods that your child can eat on a GFCF diet can be difficult, but understanding the background of the diet can help.

Gluten and Casein

Gluten is a protein that occurs naturally in wheat and other grains, such as barley, rye, spelt and durum. Even oats, which may not contain gluten are often suspect on a GFCF diet because they may be processed with gluten-containing foods. Casein is a different protein that occurs naturally in milk, and is therefore in all dairy products, such as cheese, yogurt, dairy spreads, ice cream, butter and some types of margarine. Some soy products also contain artifically added casein.

How the Diet Helps

Proponents of the GFCF diet maintain that autistic children are extremely likely to have gastrointestinal (GI) problems, and that problems can exacerbate some of their autistic symptoms. They believe that these GI problems can be solved by avoiding gluten and casein, both of which form peptides that can supposedly change the autistic person's actions and perceptions. Removing these proteins from the diet of an autistic kid can sometimes lead to fewer GI problems (e.g., loose stools or diarrhea) and improved speech or behavior.

Foods to Eat on a GFCF Diet

Although autistic kids on a GFCF diet cannot eat many grain or milk products, there are other foods that they can eat as replacements. As a substitute for grains, the child can eat rice, quinoa, potatoes, corn, buckwheat or amaranth. Soy and rice subtitutes for milk are available as well. Some health food stores even sell GFCF crackers, breads, cereals, cookies, and pretzels. Of course, kids on a GFCF diet can also eat fruits, vegetables, meat, fish and shellfish, nuts, eggs and beans.