Know someone with Autism? Then you have probably heard about the Gluten Free Casein Free (GFCF) diet. 

Working with special diets and nutrition is my full-time job, so I get many questions about this so-called “Autism Diet”. 

When people learn I have a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, one of several Autism Spectrum Disorders, the questions really start rolling in! I love that!

We parents of autistic children are some of the most passionate I know. Even if we do not always see eye-to-eye on how to manage and live with autism, there is generally tremendous mutual respect for the desire each of us has to learn more about this serious neurological condition. We share a common goal, to enhance the lives of our children.  

Sometimes this involves alternative treatments. That’s where the GFCF Diet comes in...
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Research has indicated that children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) take in less calcium than their developmentally “typical” counterparts (Herdon et al, 2009 & Shearer, 1982). Although this may be due, in part, to the fact that some parents have elected to place their child on a gluten-free casein-free (GFCF) diet as an intervention for ASD, researchers found that even still, ASD children made fewer food selections from the dairy group, thus took in less calcium than non-ASD participants.

Calcium plays a major structural role in the teeth and bones, but is also a key nutrient in neural transmission, muscle contraction, and blood clotting. Parents of children with ASD and those of children on GFCF diets should be aware of the potential for decreased calcium intake. Some foods with appreciable amounts of calcium and that would fit into a GFCF diet are: spinach, dried figs, chickpeas, broccoli, brazil nuts, dried apricots, almonds, pistachios, sesame seeds, parsley, onions, cabbage, kidney beans, mussels, prawns, and oysters.

Now the trick is getting kids to eat most of these items! Spinach salad with strawberries and vinaigrette, hummus with steamed broccoli for dipping, almond butter (providing there is no nut allergy!), baked beans (incorporating the kidney beans and onions), and coleslaw come to mind.
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