Gluten Free - Casein Free (GF/CF) Diet

By Michele Weppner

Most Autistic children are either allergic to Gluten or Casein or both. Gluten is a protein most commonly found in wheat, oats, barley, rye and triticale. They often cause food reactions, which can result in neurological symptoms. However gluten is not present in other grains such as rice, corn and millet. Unfortunately, a very large percentage of Autistic children have a deficiency in a particular enzyme that breaks down gluten. The enzymes are called DPP4 and important not only as it relates to gluten but as a biochemical catalyst for the digestion of milk products. Casein is the most common of several proteins found in milk, it accounts for 80% of all milk protein.

When the DPP4 fails to do its job, gluten and casein is only partially broken down. One problem with this is Methylation, the removing of toxins from the body. Methylation also helps in the maintaining of proper levels of neurotransmitters.

Gluten and casein are getting a lot of attention in the autism community and from doctors in the "Defeat Autism Now!" biomedical movement. Some parents, doctors and researchers say that children have shown mild to dramatic improvements in speech and/or behavior after these substances were removed from their diet. Some also report that their children have experienced fewer bouts of diarrhea and loose stools since starting a gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet.

GF/CF Diet it’s all about going fresh and organic. Fruits and Veggies!! “Nothing in a box or fast food”. You may be surprised to know that gluten can be found in bath products. For example, bubble bath and detergent, so you should change those things as well.

Before starting any diet always check with your doctor and always document any changes that may occur.

For starters, try easy GFICF recipes:

3 Bean Salad

Fresh Green Beans about a pound adding Garbanzo Beans and Kidney Beans. They can be organic in a can or you can use the dried ones. Just follow the recipe on the back of the bag. Clean the beans and snip the ends. Boil the beans in water for about 5 minutes, drain and cool. Add the green beans, kidney beans and garbanzo beans together toss with olive oil, garlic, fresh herbs, such as basil thyme, or oregano, salt and pepper. Chill and serve. You can always substitute with other beans pinto, lima, black and navy, whatever you choose. This takes approximately about 30 minutes, unless you are using dried beans it will obviously take longer.

Homemade Applesauce

4 to 6 Apples (more if you prefer).You can use almost any type of apples, Rome, Red Delicious or even Granny Smith. Try throwing in some pears as well. I sometimes throw in raisins, craisins, cranberries or even currants too! Peel, core and cut up the apples and put them into a sauce pan. You may add a touch of water just so they won't stick to the bottom, but keep in mind apples create their own juices. You could even use any juice you have in the fridge, such as cranberry juice orange juice or even apple juice. Cook on a low heat until the apples are soft (about 15 – 20 min) Turn off the heat and let stand until you are ready to enjoy. You can serve it hot or cold.

Grilled Chicken Breast

Chicken filets marinated with olive oil, garlic, fresh or dried herbs or whatever your favorite non toxic herbs are. Seasoned with salt and pepper. I prefer using chicken filets by Perdue because they come in individual bags but more important they are free of hormones and antibiotics. Of course you can use organic chickens as well but be sure to stay clear of breaded chicken as they contain gluten, wheat and casein, not to mention all kinds of other yucky stuff.

Be sure to read labels, staying away from Gluten and casein free products. Soon, you will find it a very easy diet to follow. It does take extra time and patience. Shopping at health food stores, such as Whole Foods or Greenwise, is a great source to begin the gf/cf diets. Health food stores will assist you to point out which items are gf/cf. Whole Foods has a printed list of their gf/cf items at each location and Greenwise has a website offering help and suggestion on the subject.

Check out gf/cf diet books at your local bookstore or how about checking with your local public library or the internet. There are so many tools available.

Michele Weppner is the mother and care giver of an autistic child. She is also the President of Fund for H.O.P.E., Inc., a not for profit, 501c foundation dedicated to raising fund in order to assist low income families with autistic children to receive alternative therapies. www.fundforhope.com micheleweppner @ bellsouth.net.