Autism and Diet
Autism and diet issues go hand-in-hand according to many parents and professionals. While there are some individuals who don't see a connection, others swear that integrating a special diet for autistics into their daily routine works wonders! There are many families who have witnessed great success with using a strict dieting plan in the treatment of autism and related pervasive developmental disorders. Others have tried the plans without seeing any significant results ... so we have mixed results. What is the most popular plan for autism and diet? The most popular autistic diet plan is the gluten and casein-free eating program. This approach requires a rigid set of rules and a restricted meal plan. The plan completely eliminates gluten and casein from food intake. Gluten and casein are proteins that are believed to pose digestive problems in people with autism. Since the body can’t process these elements, they begin to build and morph in the system, creating an opiate-like substance that is believed to have profound effects on the brain and nervous system. What foods should my child avoid? The autism eating plan is designed to remove the opiate-like proteins from the body. There are many foods that contain these substances. Foods containing gluten include:
Foods containing casein include:
These lists are not comprehensive. Do some online research to find more foods that need to be avoided on the casein and gluten-free diet. How do I implement this diet program? The first step in determining if this program is the right approach for your child is to consult your physician. Your doctor will order tests to determine if there is sensitivity or allergy to these foods. If there are no sensitivities, there might be no need to proceed with the program. Cookbooks are available that are designed specifically for casein and gluten-free diets, and there are many resources available on the Internet as well. Parents can take a systematic approach to removing the foods a little bit at a time, starting with milk. Implementing the diet is not an easy task at first. For example, a plan can be ruined if a cook stirs a pot of boiling spaghetti and then uses the same spoon to stir a gluten-free dish. However, many families adjust to the program very quickly ... so don't despair! While the connection between autism and diet isn’t completely backed by research, a gluten and casein-free eating plan is definitely worth a try. Return to Home Page from "Autism and Diet"
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