Gluten Free Casein Free Diet for Autism: 29 Tips & Recipes for Parents (2024)

If you’ve ever searched for alternative autism treatments, you’ve probably heard of the gluten free casein free diet (aka GFCF diet), which was first developed to help individuals with celiac disease. As the name indicates, the gluten free casein free diet is completely devoid of the proteins gluten (found in wheat, barley, and rye) and casein (found in milk and dairy products), both of which can cause irritation and inflammation of the gut lining in those who are intolerant or allergic. The theory behind the GFCF diet as it relates to autism is that the resulting inflammation caused by gluten and casein can affect the brain and cause/worsen symptoms of autism.

The 10-Step Nutrition Plan to Help Treat Your Child’s Autism

Many parents report an improvement in behaviors such as hyperactivity, eye contact, meltdowns, and language skills as a result of the gluten free casein free diet, and others have gone as far as to claim their child(ren) have been completely cured of autism after adopting a GFCF lifestyle, but researchers aren’t as convinced. Additional studies are needed to fully evaluate the relationship between gluten and autism and the effectiveness of the GFCF diet as an alternative treatment for autism, but many parents still opt to try the diet, especially if their child also shows signs of gastrointestinal issues like constipation and/or diarrhea.

Whatever your stance is on the gluten free casein free diet as an alternative autism treatment, one thing is for certain: it’s a difficult diet to follow, especially if your little one is already a picky eater. Before getting started, consider the following:

Consult with a registered dietician. Children with autism tend to be restrictive eaters, and when you’re eliminating some (or all) of the things on the limited list of foods your child eats, it’s important that you consult with a professional to ensure you are doing it in a safe and effective manner. You want to make sure your child is still consuming a nutritious diet, and that you are making safe supplementations where needed.
Take it slow. As tempting as it is to ‘go big or go home’ when you read about alternative autism treatments that promise to help improve your child’s autism symptoms, the gluten free casein free diet is a complete lifestyle change, and should be approached slowly. Read the literature, talk to a dietician, make changes slowly, and come up with an action plan you can sustain over time.
Use positive reinforcement. Getting a child with autism to try new foods can be very challenging, and positive reinforcement is a great tool to help encourage your child to continue trying new foods. Reward charts can be very effective, and working with your child to find meaningful rewards for trying new foods can go a long way in helping you reach your goal of transitioning her to a gluten free casein free diet.
Get your child involved. Children (and adults!) like to have control over their lives, and getting your child involved in grocery shopping and meal preparation, and allowing her to plan her meals will go a long way in giving her more perceived control over what she does/doesn’t eat.
Use distractions. If your child is struggling with the changes you’re making to her diet, consider using distractions like the TV, iPad, and any other toys that might help. While this isn’t a good long-term strategy, it can make all the difference in keeping kids calm during periods of transition.

There are a lot of great gluten free casein free diet resources out there that explain the science behind the diet, how it can benefit your child with autism, and what you need to do to get started. Here are a few books we recommend to help you get your family started on the gluten free casein free diet:

20 Kid-Approved GFCF Recipes

Finding GFCF recipes your child will actually eat can seem challenging, especially if picky eating is already a struggle in your household. Fortunately, there are tons of parents who have already done the hard work, and thanks to the wonderful world of Pinterest, there are so many kid-approved GFCF recipes at your fingertips. Here are some of our favorites!

Breakfast GFCF Recipes

3-Ingredient Pancakes | Blessed Beyond Crazy
Grain-Free Sugar-Free Waffles | Color It Lovely
GFCF Quick Granola | Only Sometimes Clever
Glazed Banana Mini Waffles | My Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Life
Coconut Millet Porridge with Raspberries | The Foodie and the Fix
Squash and Banana French Toast |My Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Life

Lunch and Dinner GFCF Recipes

Snack GFCF Recipes

Dessert GFCF Recipes

The Best Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies | Ambitious Kitchen
3-Ingredient Dairy Free Fudge | The Pretty Bee
Chocolate Zucchini Bread | Feel Great in 8
Almond Butter Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal Bars | Redesigned Recipes
Dark Chocolate Coconut Pudding | Stupid Easy Paleo
Mexican Chocolate Cookies | My Dairy-Free Gluten-Free Life

Little research has been conducted on the effectiveness of a gluten free casein free diet as an alternative treatment for autism, but since some parents and caregivers report an improvement in autism symptoms after removing gluten and casein from their child’s diet, it’s definitely an option to consider. Remember to speak with a trained medical practitioner and/or a registered dietician before making any changes to your child’s diet to ensure it’s safe and she’s getting the nutrients she needs, and be sure to take thing slow, get your child involved, find ways to keep her motivated, and check out the list of kid-approved GFCF recipes we’ve included in this post to help appeal to her taste buds.

And on those days when life is tough and you feel like giving up, remind yourself of these inspiring words by Howard Schultz:

‘Excellence is the result of caring more than others think is wise, risking more than others think is safe, dreaming more than others think is practical, and expecting more than others think is possible.’

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Gluten Free Casein Free Diet for Autism: 29 Tips & Recipes for Parents (2024)

FAQs

Who carries the autism gene, mother or father? ›

Autism spectrum disorder affects about 1 in 36 children in the U.S. While the genetics of autism are complex, scientists had narrowed it down to moms being more likely carriers. Or so they thought! CSHL scientists have now discovered that dad's genome may play a bigger genetic role.

What foods do not contain gluten and casein? ›

If you shop the perimeter of the grocery store, you will find tons of delicious foods that are naturally gluten, casein, and soy free: fruit, vegetables, nuts, beans, legumes, seeds, meat, and fish. Gluten-free grains include corn, rice, quinoa, buckwheat, millet, sorghum, teff, and amaranth.

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What is the hardest part of raising a child with autism? ›

Parent/Child Communication

Children on the autism spectrum can often have difficulties expressing their feelings and communicating with others. Deciphering what your child needs can be even more difficult with a child on the spectrum.

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What are the red flags for autism in a 3 year old? ›

Difficulty with Social Interaction

They may struggle with conversations, reading social gestures of cues, or engaging in back-and-forth exchanges. They may avoid social attention or avoid social situations altogether. Children on the spectrum may also struggle to understand jokes or common idioms.

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What is the strongest cause of autism? ›

Research suggests that genetic factors contribute to about 80-90% of the risk for developing ASD, while environmental factors contribute to about 10-20% of the risk. ASD tends to run in families, indicating the importance of genetic factors.

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What is the cause of 85% of cases of autism? ›

As mentioned earlier, the exact cause of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is not fully understood, and it is likely to be the result of a combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors. When autism is of unknown origin, it is called idiopathic autism. And almost 85% of autism cases are idopathic.

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What foods are highest in casein? ›

Milk protein is 70 to 80% casein, so milk, yogurt, cheese and other dairy products are high in casein.

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What can I eat instead of casein protein? ›

Plant-Based Protein Powders: For those wishing to boost their protein consumption, pea, rice, hemp, and soy protein powders are excellent alternatives to caseinates.

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What age does autism get easier? ›

Autism trait severity decreases from age 3 to 6 in most autistic children, but that progress then stalls for nearly three-quarters of them, according to a new long-term study.

What parenting style is best for autism? ›

A variety of research has shown that the most effective form of parenting when dealing with ASD is Authoritative parenting, and the study shows that mothers tend use more of permissive form of parenting which may have an adverse effect on the behavioural problems of children with ASD.

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What are the false signs of autism? ›

Conditions That Can Be Mistaken for Autism. These include: Speech delays, hearing problems, or other developmental delays: Developmental delays are when your child doesn't do things doctors expect kids their age to be able to do. These can include language, speech, or hearing problems.

What does level 2 autism look like? ›

Autism Level 2 Symptoms

Symptoms of ASD typically fall under three classifications: language and communication impairment, social impairment, and restrictive or repetitive behaviors including sensory sensitivities.

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What does level 3 autism look like in a 3 year old? ›

Most children with level 3 autism exhibit self-stimulatory and repetitive behaviors. These behaviors may include moaning, flapping, door slamming, or violent rocking, which are potentially extreme and difficult to manage. There may also be physical symptoms such as sleeplessness, epilepsy, and gastrointestinal issues.

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Does the male or female carry the autism gene? ›

The findings support a growing body of evidence suggesting that women require a bigger genetic hit than men do to have conditions that affect brain development, including autism. Autism affects about four men for every one woman, according to a comprehensive analysis from 2017.

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Will my child have autism if my father has it? ›

If someone in your family has autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you may be more likely to have a child with ASD. ASD can look very different from person to person, so taking a careful family health history can be important for early diagnosis.

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Who is genetically responsible for autism? ›

Inheritance. ASD has a tendency to run in families, but the inheritance pattern is usually unknown. People with gene changes associated with ASD generally inherit an increased risk of developing the condition, rather than the condition itself.