Karmel Ungerleider-Abrams
Take charge and rescue a loved one from Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) through diet. ASD is an all-encompassing term for a group of complex disorders of brain development. For many children with ASD a Gluten Free (GF) / Casein Free (CF) diet can assist with symptom management.
Why go Gluten-Free?
Many children with autism have food allergies/sensitivities due to digestive or immune system dysfunction, especially if there is inflammation of the gut. If foods that are symptomatic for a child are digested you may see behavior issues and or physical issues arise until the gut is healed.
Many children crave dairy and/or wheat because certain peptides can bind themselves to the opioid-receptors of the brain leaving them craving more—like a morphine drug addiction. This seems to occur because the body is unable to breakdown the peptides completely. You may find the following issues due to this abnormality function; sleeplessness, inattention, self-abuse and abusive behaviors.
Find Experts and Resources to help.
By working with your medical provider and nutritionist, you can discuss a food elimination diet assisting your child moving towards a GF/CF lifestyle. Many studies have recommended removing dairy from the diet first for a week, and then eliminate gluten closely after. You will probably see results more quickly from removing dairy. It may take longer to notice a change after removing gluten from the diet, as it can linger in the body for up to seven years after elimination. Please note when removing dairy from the diet, calcium and vitamin D supplements are necessary. There are many organic whole foods that contain calcium and vitamin D on their own which can be worked into the diet. A great place to start is by viewing the UCSF Calcium Content Food List. Also there is a calcium calculator provided at the International Osteoporosis Foundation site.
Change is not easy, but worth the results.
Changing a diet is not easy, but there are resources and fun creative ways to present food!
Coconut Almond encrusted chicken strips
We here at Progressive Nectar—your recipe resource for food sensitivities—love to get creative and play with our food. Check out a few links below to recipes your children may fall in love with.
Gluten-Free Almond Coconut Fried Chicken Strips
Chicken Apple Sausage and Greens
Green Pasta Sauce (Almond Basil Pesto)
Chocolate Avocado Pudding—Non Dairy
If you haven’t tried going gluten-free, try it for thirty days and see how your family feels. Feel free to use Progressive Nectar us as a resource for culinary inspiration along with your local and online Autism support communities.
About the author:
Karmel is a food writer and Co-Founder of Progressive Nectar Publishing—producingprogressivenectar.com, a recipe discovery site focused on gluten-free and special diet lifestyle. She lovesgluten-free cooking, snowboarding, mountain biking, volunteering at the South West Charter School and living in Portland, Oregon with her family and dog Boo.
Other Resources:
Summary of Dietary, Nutritional, and Medical Treatments for Autism – based on over 150 published research studies By James B. Adams, Ph.D. Director, ASU Autism/Asperger’s Research Program