6 Strategies for Well-Nourished Children on Special Diets

By Dawn Michelle Simon

Many of the Children seen in my practice arrive on special diets, usually the GF-CF diet, (short for gluten free casein free diet). Gluten and casein are proteins. Gluten is found in wheat and other grains and casein is found in products made from milk.

Typically, parents are introduced to this diet by their child’s pediatrician or DAN (Defeat Autism Now) doctor. Usually with low expectations, but are told to try it if they like. Those same brave parents with their new ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) diagnosis are armed with a list a mile long of various treatments, websites and a GF-CF Diet pamphlet.

With skill and determination they face the daunting task of eliminating these often harmful proteins from their child’s diet or with dreary eyes from staring at a computer screen attempt to choose from an array of other special diets. All the while, questioning the safety and adequacy of their child’s diet.

After a couple of weeks or even months of being 80-90 percent on “the diet” parents become bewilder and abandon the special diet they have chosen. Convinced that the diet is ineffective or feeling defeated because it’s just too hard.

This is unfortunate because if implemented and monitored properly nutritional interventions can be an effective treatment, enhancing other therapies the child is no doubt receiving. All children need healthy nutritious protein, carbohydrates and fats in the correct proportion daily, especially children with special needs.

1. Keep it balanced. Many times when gluten and casein are eliminated, the diet becomes inadequate in protein and fats. This is due to the fact that milk is a large contributor of fat and protein for most children.

2. Ask your pediatrician or DAN doctor to test for intestinal parasites.

3. Control the intake of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates (even wheat alternatives) should not be limited but conversely not eaten in excess. Many children on the spectrum have difficulty digesting complex carbohydrates (starches). Undigested starch feed harmful intestinal parasites and allows them to overgrow. Resulting in toxic by-products that can cross the blood-brain barrier eliciting addictive behaviors that impair growth and development; as well as intestinal dysfunction and inflammation.

4. Eliminate and Replace foods that are inflammatory. The key here is to not only discover the particular foods but to replace with foods that are equally or more nutritious.

5. Test for functional vitamins and minerals deficiencies after an adequate nutritious diet is in place.

6. Find a licensed registered dietitian who is trained to assess, monitor and evaluate children with special needs and expertly implement special diets. Look for someone who will work closely with your child’s pediatrician or DAN doctor to keep nutrition care adequate and safe.

Sign up for the free electronic newsletter “Healthy Bellies Tips of the Week” atwww.dawnmichellesimon.com and receive the handy “11 Questions to Ask Your Childs Pediatrician”. Contact Dawn Michelle athealthy@dawnmichellesimon.com or 305-761-3738