GFCF Diet in a Nutshell

By: Tiffany Langford-Robison

Disclaimer: I am not a medical or dietary professional. I am merely a mom of two boys on the autism spectrum.

Why should I feed my child gluten/casein free food?
The Gluten and Casein Free Diet (also known as the GFCF diet) is a dietary intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders. This intervention has gained popularity in recent years, and several parents who have started their children on this diet have noticed marked improvements!

What is gluten exactly?

Gluten is the protein that is found in wheat, barley, rye, semolina, spelt, and kamut (and sometimes oats)

What types of foods contain gluten?

Breads, cookies, crackers, cereals, pastries, flour, pasta, cakes, etc.

What is casein exactly?

Casein is a milk protein found in dairy.

What types of foods contain casein?

Milk, cheese, butter, yogurt, ice cream, artificial cheese and butter flavorings, etc.

“Sneaky Gluten and Casein”

Sometimes foods contain gluten and casein that will surprise you! Casein can sometimes be found in some tuna fish, hot dogs, “soy” cheeses, and “non-dairy” products. Gluten can be found hidden in raisins or candies that have been dusted with “wheat flour” or “wheat starch” to prevent sticking. Gluten can also be found hidden under different “aliases” such as malt flavoring, or modified food starch. Reading labels and knowing what to look for is imperative!

What do gluten and casein do to my autistic child?

One popular theory is that as gluten and casein break down into peptides they may pass through imperfections in the intestine, a lot of people refer to this as “leaky gut” causing intestinal issues. Another problem is that the peptides from gluten and casein act like morphine or opiates in the body and can pass through the blood-brain barrier and affect your child’s behavior and a lot of times the child is actually “addicted” to the gluten and casein.

Is the GFCF diet hard to implement?

Like any other intervention, it takes planning, time, commitment, and a little extra spending, but generally, most parents report that it is worth the efforts.

What are some benefits?

The benefits vary from child to child. But here are some of the most common results:

Fewer gastrointestinal problems (less gas, better stools, less constipation)
Improved mood
Fewer self-stimulatory behaviors (stims)
Fewer meltdowns
Improved eye contact
Improved speech and language
Improved social skills
Improved sleep habits
Ability to eat a variety of foods (not just chicken nuggets and macaroni and cheese anymore!)

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