More and more families are currently turning to the gluten-free and casein-free diets to help with autism spectrum disorders and a whole host of other diseases and disorders.
When people begin this diet, it can be very overwhelming. Hopefully this cheat sheet will offer less anxiety, less confusion, and give you the power to move forward and continue to make a difference in the life of your child and your family.
Begin by reading labels
Before we get to the gluten-free and casein-free tips, I feel it is most important to get your family healthy. Chemicals are for scientists, not for the human body to consume. This is important even for those who are typically developing.
The most imperative action is to START TO READ LABELS. This will prepare you for what lies ahead.
Any food or drink items that say the following words or letters need to remain on the store shelf and never come into your home: artificial, Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5, aspartame, nitrites, BHA, BHT, TBHQ, preservative, MSG, and high fructose corn syrup. These ingredients can cause severe behavioral problems, sleep disorders, poor self-control, meltdowns, anxiety, aggression, hyperactivity, irritability, depression, mood swings, aches and pains, and a host of other ailments and negative behaviors.
Cross contamination — what is it?
Let us now talk about hints for ridding your body of gluten and casein. Many people are not aware of the damage cross contamination can cause. What is cross contamination?
Cross contamination happens when someone, for example, uses a knife to cut a piece of wheat toast, then puts the knife in the peanut butter jar, leaving toast crumbs in the peanut butter. When the gluten-free person in your family puts her knife in the peanut butter jar, her knife will be contaminated with those crumbs. This can happen with condiments and other products in your home, too. It just takes one crumb or one sip to reverse all the hard work you have done being gluten- or casein-free.
Another way for cross contamination to occur is by using the same cookware, bake ware and appliances that you use on non gluten-free foods. You will want a new toaster, a new bagel cutter, new cookie sheets, new grill, new colanders, and new cutting boards. Some pots and pans also can cause cross contamination, as they might be porous, thus the proteins you need to avoid could come in contact with your safe foods.
The safest way to avoid cross contamination is to not bring non gluten- or casein-free foods into your house.
Think outside of food
There are other household items that contain gluten and casein, which should be avoided. Check labels and when in doubt, call the company and ask if the item has gluten or casein in it. The legal guidelines for non-food items is very different than for edible items. Non-food items do not legally have to list all of the ingredients.
Some of the items you need to investigate for gluten and casein are: toothpaste, shaving cream, cosmetics, sunscreens, soaps, lip balm, lotions, creams, cleansers, moisturizers, dental floss, shampoos, conditioners, deodorant, play dough (most have gluten!), art supplies, and other similar products.
Medicine, both over-the-counter and prescription, often have gluten and sometimes have casein proteins in them. Often, they have artificial colors and flavors. Discuss these items with your pharmacist, asking if the medicine has the ingredients that you need to avoid. You might need to contact a compounding pharmacy. You can locate one near you at www.iacprx.org or calling (800) 927-4227.
When visiting the dentist, bring your own toothpaste. Discuss with the dentist — before you leave the house — your concerns over what is being used in your children’s mouths. Many of these items have dyes! Have the dentist mark your child’s chart with the items not allowed to go near your child.
Tips for finding products
Replacing casein in your diet is not as challenging as many think. Many people think cow’s milk is a must-have in everyone’s diet. There are plenty of foods and beverages that contain calcium, protein and other nutrients that cow’s milk contains, without casein. For milk alternatives try “milk” made from almonds, hemp, other nuts, potatoes, rice, coconut or soy. (Some people cannot tolerate soy.) Most of these alternative milks come in original, vanilla or chocolate. There are ice creams and cheeses made out of some of these alternative ingredients, as well.
For gluten-free items, check your health food stores, such as Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and other specialty stores. Even some typical grocery stores carry a fair amount of safe products. More and more items are being packaged with the words “gluten free” on them. Remember to make sure the product is also casein free.
A great way to find products is to go to www.allergygrocer.com. You can check off the “free of” items you must avoid and you will get a pop up of many products that fit your needs. You can order from them, other online sites, or write down the brand names and search them out in your local store.
For more details, consult with Barrie Silberberg’s book, “The Autism & ADHD Diet: A Step-by-Step Guide to Hope and Healing by Living Gluten Free and Casein Free (GFCF) and Other Interventions.”
Reprinted with permission from “Gluten Free/Casein Free (GFCF) Cheat Sheet” by Barrie Silberberg, 2010. Parenting Special Needs Magazine, Mar/Apr Issue, Copyright 2010 by Parenting Special Needs LLC. www.parentingspecialneeds.org.
