[txwannabemom]

Has anyone tried gluten or casein free diets for behavioral issues?

I am wondering if it could be beneficial... I know some people have had success with it for autism spectrum disorders, I wonder if it has helped anyone else?

[ajjhmf]

I haven't gone that far, but we have gone all natural and low sugar. Specifically eliminating food dyes and processed sugars.

We have seen a marked improvement. So much so that our son feels the difference when he gets "bad sugar." I recommend it ot lots of people and in fact I am working with our school to eliminate processed sugars from the cafeteria.

That said, it's hard and expensive. I have thought about going GFCF but with a family of 5, it's would be too pricey to put the whoe family on and I won't do that to just one of person while the rest eat regualr food.

[lucyjoy]

I have a very good friend who uses this religiously and her child went from daily raging to one rage in a year.

Like the previous poster, money is a factor as is age for my child(ie he can access food at friends etc) so I haven't gone that direction. I did eliminte some dyes and other additives and there was a drastic change in his moodiness.

I think it's worth looking at. I do know the people who do this successfully do it as a whole family. If there are other foods in your house the kids will sneak it and it doesn't take much to throw them off again.

[athikers]

We are slowly going GFCF with our son, who has autism and other concerns. Right now his diet is LOADED with sugar as 1/2 - 3/4 of his calories come from pediasure, which is sugary nastiness.

Our main issue is that our child is an extremely orally averse child so we need to find foods he'll eat to make up for the calories he won't be getting in his pediasure.

Anyway... we have been at this for two months and I would say we've seen SOME improvement in his behaviors... I think it will be even better once he is off the pediasure... and yes, the soy milk will cost us upwards of $100 a month - just for that part! Let alone all the other food we will need if we go gluten free (we're not working on that part yet).

At least I don't have to worry about my son stealing "regular" food! That would require that he actually WANT to eat. Weird, wonder what that's like.

[po]

are you eligible for WIC. They provide formula for infants and milk and cereal, cheese for children under the age of 5. they should be able to help. It has been awhile since I had a child on it, but as foster parents all children under 5 are eligible.

[momraine]

I had thought about trying it with my son, but in the orphanage they did everything from scrach and the kids got very little sugar (only on holidays) and I have documents that said he had issues even then, so since I have teens who would have a fit as well as dh, I am just working on smaller steps to healthier eating for us all.

[hrisme]

I've worked with two children who had autism (atypical) & went GFCF, in both children there was a significant decrease in agression. I can't find my source (sorry!) but one of the moms I was working with told me the gluten/casien had the same effect on her son's system as opiates do. It's a challenge to stick to the diet (I tried it myself for several weeks), but worth it if you see a significant improvement. You do need to give it AT LEAST 6 weeks though before you'll notice any difference, and it may get worse before it gets better (basic withdrawl symptoms).

[Barksum]

I found on the web a research paper written by a mom who adopted kids with FASD from Russia (I think). She also was a chemist of some sort so she did all this research and then wrote up a paper about it.

The basic idea was that for many FASD kids they don't digest the gluten and casien well and it did act as an opiate for them. (I even printed this all off and I have a hard copy...somewhere!) She found that her kids did better with the gluten free/casein free diet. It wasn't a 'miracle cure', but it did help in that they were better able to cope with daily life.

We've attempted it a few times but it is REALLY difficult and like the PP's we have a whole family to feed. It can be expensive and a big transition, especially for the cook and the one who does the grocery shopping. Since in my family that was ALL me I was having a significant problem coping with all of that mental responsibility.

I'm thinking, though, that I should try again....

[txwannabemom]

I am think I am going to try to wean DD off the stuff when she finally comes home (adopting 7 yr old from foster care) and see how it goes...If it works I'll let everyone know. And since our family comprises of me and her hopefully it won't be too hard. I will just have to eat that way too. Maybe it will also be the miracle lose 50 lbs cure.

[UnconventionalMom]

I have no personal experience going GFCF but a friend of mine is in the process for her son. He has undiagnosed developmental delays, they can't seem to pinpoint what's going on with him. He's not adopted. Anyway, they've seen a dramatic, positive difference in him since going GFCF. They took a 3-day vacation out of state and didn't maintain the diet while away and she described the change in very colorful terms.

She also describes going shopping as a new lesson in agony because she has to pay so much more attention to labels but the difference they're seeing in their son is worth it to them.

I've copied a few of the products and reviews she's posted:

Sof'ella Organic Gluten Free Chocolate Cake and Frosting Mix. This was very good. I made this with butter - no ghee on hand yet - and skipped the frosting. The kids ate it up and Craig didn't even notice it is made with navy bean flour.

I bought it at Costco the box contained 2 cake mixes and 2 frostings.

Bob's Red Mill Pancake mix. I was really hoping this was going to be better. It had the consistancy of a corn fritter and was very dry. I made it with almond milk, and followed the directions on the package to the T. Next time I'm going to make a cinnemon apple compote to go over top of these and see if that helps them at all.


Fresh and Easy Markets, has Bob's red Mill stuff for $1.99!!

cherry brook GF/CF/whatever else they take out of it.. foods are NOT GOOD. We made DD's BDay cake. it was GROSS!

Glutino - gluten free brown rice pasta. Very good, can't tell it's not made with wheat. Bought at Sprouts for just under $2.00 for 10oz box.

And two recipes:

All Purpose GF Flour Mix
Ingredients
1 c. brown rice flour
1 1/4 c. white rice flour
1/4 c. potato starch
2/3 c. tapioca starch
3/4 c. sweet rice flour
1/3 c. cornstarch
2 t. xanthan or guar gum
Directions
Sift all ingredients together so as to mix completely.
May be stored in an airtight container for future use.


Daddy's White Bread
Being of European ancestry and influence, we love our bread. So, I have been experimenting with bread recipes. Converting and alternating ingredients. I have one that turned out with a real nice texture and it rises!!! And best of all, my son actually likes it. Even brings me the loaf to cut him slices.

So, I thought I would share this bread recipe.

Ingredients
1 cup of White Rice Flour
1/2 cup Potato Starch
1/2 cup Tapioca Flour
1/3 cup Corn starch (we have no problem with Corn, if you do...substitute this with Potato Starch- I have not tried to substitute)
1 1/2 Tablespoons of Xantham Gum (gluten replacer)
3 Tablespoons of Sugar (food for the yeast)
1 teaspoon of salt (controls rising)
2 1/2 Tablespoons of shortening
1 teaspoon cider vinegar (rice vinegar is fine as well)
2 large eggs (no substitute, the eggs aid the gum in binding and enhance flavor)
Directions
Mix and or sift first seven ingredients....(I just stir it well in my mixing bowl)
Add the remaining three ingredients to the flour mixture
mix wet ingredients with flour mixture until "pea-like"
Dissolve 1 package of yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons) in 1 cup of hot water.
add yeast/water mixture to rest of ingredients
Stir well until smooth
Add 1 1/2 cup of white rice flour and knead dough for about 5 minutes or so. Add flour as needed. Dough should be elastic and only slightly sticky. It should feel like normal flour dough.
Put dough into bread pan and let rise until double. About 1 hour or so.
After dough has risen in bread pan...bake on lower rack at 400 F for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and has a "hollow" sound when you tap it.
When bread is done baking, remove it from bread pan and allow to cool.
"Note: Do not double this recipe to make 2 loaves, I tried today and they came out hard."

I know to some people, this seems a hassle. I don't like bread machines. I hate that small "cube" loaf. I make my bread the old fashioned way. This rice bread is still not a perfect mimic of regular wheat flour bread, but I am getting closer.

[Barksum]

I know of a company that sells many of the things you need to maintain a GFCF diet for less than the supermarket. PM me if you want the web addy.

[mommytoEli]

we are eating a casein free diet...working on the gluten free part. it is SO HARD! lol. but i think i notice a difference already. my son with adhd seems to be able to sit and concentrate a little longer...and my sensory kid seems to be a little less on sensory-overload. it could be a coincidence...who knows. but we are actually enjoying learning to eat this way. it is a culinary challenge. but i like that it makes us not eat out and forces us to prepare fresh foods. we are learning to make our favorite things from scratch substituting or leaving out gluten/casein. my one word of advice is if you decide to do this...read read read labels. lol. for two months we thought we were being so good eating almond and soy cheese instead of dairy..only to find out both had casein. lol. now we use no cheese- even imitation cheese- products what so ever. Oh one more thing...be patient with yourself. it really does require an overhaul in your kitchen and in your cooking. and at first it is very frustrating and you just want to order in a pizza. but the moment will pass. and when you finally make your gluten free pizza crust and top it with sauce and fresh veggies with no cheese...it will be yummy...and you will be ok.

p.s. as far as the expense issue. we are a family of 7. we find we spend about the same, if not less on food every month, as dairy and meat were our biggest expenses. we also went vegan- no dairy AND no meat. but we have started growing our own veggies which helps, visit farmer's market for veggies, buy in bulk when we can, and shop around for prices. we like unsweetened rice milk for milk, and believe it or not, it is cheaper by 50% at whole foods. lol. our super target also carries lots of gluten free items- like rice pasta. plus since we can no longer eat out, we save a TON by cooking at home. lots of items also are a one time "ouch" but last a while. we originally went vegan for a few members of our family, and now gluten free as well for just a few, but we do it as a family. those without the allergies are free to eat what they want when they are not here (think teens at a classroom party....lol), but the offending food items are no longer brought in. so if someone wants to sneak something here, it will be a celery stick with almond butter. lol. our kids were 1,3,5,14, and 15 when we started...and within days had adjusted to the change. we've actually found gluten free/casein free vegan recipes we like better than anything we used to eat. after the initial break in period....it really is not that bad- monetarily and adjusment wise.

[angelkisses0102]

We tried but could not do it due to DS's feeding issues. I will suggest joining the adoptbiomed yahoo group as they can be a wonderful resource. There are also GFCF yahoo groups if I remember correctly.

I have heard many people have great success with it! Good luck!

[Again!]

I'm not a believer in fad diets...but I tried gluten free and it REALLY really helped both my younger boys, including the one with RAD so severe he is now on his second year in residential treatment. Unfortunately with school age kids it is hard to maintain. They began stealing the bread from the other kids lunches :> I eventually gave up but if you can figure out how to maintain it, it does help a lot.