Autism and Diet - Useful Food Changes

What is the link between autism and diet?

Having an autistic child has been described as watching a person trapped inside their own body. For the parents of autistic children, this syndrome can be painful to watch.

As parents, the desire is to give your children the best you can offer, but when your child is autistic, it can feel like no matter how hard you try, your child is isolated and alone. That’s why there are so many people who are working to improve research on autism all the time.

With regard to autism and diet, many parents who have tried to alter the food intake of their autistic children have experienced some quite amazing results.

One main issue in the autism and diet connection is gluten. Recent studies show that children who suffer from autism may not be able to properly digest gluten.

The theory is that people who suffer from autism cannot properly digest gluten and casein, which is found in foods containing animal fats, such as milk, cheese, butter, yogurt and ice cream. When these foods are not properly digested, they can form peptides, which simulate the effect of an opiate. This causes a reaction in the person suffering from this condition. The perceptions, behavior and responses to the world around a person change. It is thought that this is how autism occurs.

In other words, for children who are genetically susceptible to food allergies, the inability to digest gluten and casein can cause brain abnormalities. This link is making many parents start their children on a gluten and casein free diet, with the thought that if a child doesn’t have to have these proteins in the system, speech and other symptoms of autism can improve over time.

If you are considering starting your child on a gluten free diet, there are some things that you should look for and ways to be more successful in the transition. Here are some tips regarding autism and diet.

• Read labels very, very carefully. Even a small amount of gluten can greatly impact a child with autism, so once you start the diet, you need to make sure to always stick with it. There should be no wheat or dairy hidden in any of your food choice ingredients.
  
  
• Remember that wheat gluten is found not only in bread, but also bread-like products, such as anything made of wheat, rye, barley and spelt. This includes breakfast cereal, pancakes, waffles, cookies, etc. Well, you get the point - the list is long. The good news is that many health and organic stores now offer gluten free alternatives to these much loved favorites that contain wheat gluten.
  
  
• Casein can be found in milk and products made of mammal milk. Anything made from cow’s or goat’s (two of the most common kinds of milk) milk can be detrimental to your child. Avoid cheese, milk, ice cream, butter, yogurt and anything else that has milk or powdered milk in the ingredients.

It’s probably right about now that you are wondering about the flip side of autism and diet - what your child can eat when they are on a gluten and casein free diet. The good news is that anyone who is on a gluten free diet can eat plenty of organic fruits and veggies. People who are on a gluten free diet can also have eggs and lots of different types of meat protein. Organic is ideal, of course, and that applies not just to autism and diet, but to nutrition in general.

Autism and Diet - Conclusion

If you are considering starting your autistic child on this type of diet, consider buying gluten free alternatives to your favorites and load up on things that you know will be safe for your child to eat, such as strawberries, apples, watermelon and peppers.

By teaching your child to love the foods they can eat now, you will not only be helping to minimize their symptoms of autism, but you and your family will also reap the rewards of a healthy, gluten free diet.

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