Special Diets for ASD
Special Diets for ASD
There are many diets parents say work for their children to improve health, behavior, attention, sleep and reduce autism symptoms. This is a partial listing of the most widely used among them, but they all have something in common - clean, unprocessed foods. We’ve all heard the saying “garbage in, garbage out” this is especially important with children with autism. Bad food in, means bad behavior out. Feeding your special needs child a healthy, allergy-free diet helps with therapy results and behavior.
GFCFSF Diet (Gluten-, Casein-, Soy-free Diet)
This is the oldest of the “autism diets”. The proteins in gluten, casein (dairy) and soy cause problems, including immune response and increased autism symptoms, so they are removed from the diet. This diet is based on treating a leaky gut where peptides cross the blood brain barrier. People with the MTase block, such as those with ASD, have a 91% positive reaction to this diet.
This diet can help with the following issues:
- Diarrhea and/or constipation
- Fogginess (Blank looks, staring)
- High pain tolerance
- Self-injurious behaviors
- Eczema
- Delayed or lost language
- Attention
Learn more at http://tacanow.org/family-resources/gfcfsf-diet/
Hundreds of free recipes at https://www.pinterest.com/tacanow/
SCD (Specific Carbohydrate Diet)
This diet was designed for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) but can be helpful for individuals with autism. This diet still contains casein so when we use SCD for individuals with autism, we need to make it SCD-CF (Casein-Free). The diet is free of gluten, soy, most carbohydrates, colors and artificial additives. This diet has the highest parent ratings because it addresses both the peptide issue reduces carbohydrate intake.
This diet can help with the following issues:
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Inflammation
- Distension
- Gut flora environment
- Sleep
- Attention
- Behaviors related to yeast and bacteria
- Those with nut, egg or meat allergies may have a more difficult time implementing SCD.
Learn more at:
GAPS (Gut and Psychology Syndrome)
This diet was designed for ASD and combines the peptide issue, the carb issue and fermented foods for good gut health. There isn’t much published research on this diet at present but many of our families use it with great results. This diet allows ghee, which casein-allergic people still must avoid. Similar to SCD - sugar free and grain free - GAPS allows for a wider variety of fruits and vegetables than SCD but with emphasis on probiotic use and some supplementation and advocates toxin-free living.
This diet can help with the following issues:
- Diarrhea (or constipation)
- Inflammation
- Gut flora environment
- Sleep
- Attention
- Distension
- Behaviors related to yeast and bacteria
Learn More at:
- http://www.gapsdiet.com/
- http://www.gaps.me/
- http://nourishedkitchen.com/what-is-the-gaps-diet/
- Book: Gut and Psychology Syndrome by Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride.
LOD (Low Oxalate Diet)
This diet reduces oxalates for better kidney health, as well as mitochondria and glutathione function. Not gluten or dairy free so this would be used in conjunction with another diet.
This diet can help with the following issues:
- Pain
- Inflammation
- Diarrhea, constipation, gas
- Growth issues
More to know about LOD:
- This diet avoids high oxalate foods, including (but not limited to) berries, citrus, beans, chocolate, broccoli, tomatoes, nuts, soy, wheat and dairy.
- Responders include kids who have frequent urinary tract infections or fungal infections (often together).
- Kids with high oxalic acid on their OAT should respond well to LOD.
Learn more at http://www.lowoxalate.info/research.html
Body Ecology Diet
GFCF* and sugar-free, but allows raw butter, so casein-allergic people must still remove it. This diet focuses on alkalizing the body and is heavy in fermented foods and coconut kefir. Allows some grains.
This diet can help with the following issues:
- Diarrhea and/or constipation
- Digestion and absorption, less gas
- Ecology of GI tract
- Distension
- Yeast-related behaviors
- Sleep
Learn more at http://bodyecology.com/
Feingold Diet
Created for ADD/ADHD, this diet removes all artificial colors, flavors and preservatives while reducing phenols and salicylates. If your child has hyperactivity, you should consider combining these removals with one of the other diets.
This diet can help with the following issues:
- Hyperactivity/impulsivity
- Attention
- Sleep
- Urine accidents
- Aggression or self injury
Learn more at:
- Get Feingold Program at http://www.feingold.org/ for $82.50.
- http://tacanow.org/family-resources/phenols-salicylates-additives/
- The Feingold Cookbook for Hyperactive Children by Dr. Ben Feingold and Helene Feingold
- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Feingold-Diet-Support-Page/199408873464228
- http://www.nutrition-healing.com/feingold.html
Weston A. Price
Whole cooking diet but allows raw dairy, so casein-allergic people should still remove the dairy. This diet focuses on healthy fats, bone broths, sprouted grains, beans and seeds, fermented foods and nutrient dense foods.
This diet can help with the following issues:
- Healing to the body, especially the GI tract
- Diarrhea and/or constipation
- Attention
Learn more at http://www.westonaprice.org/
Rotation Diet
This diet is used to control food allergies by eating same-type foods on planned days and then waiting four days before eating them again. For example, a food will be consumed every four days (chicken on Monday; then no chicken again until Friday)
This diet can help with the following issues:
- Minimize constant immune response to foods
- Inflammation in the GI tract
- IgG response resolves within approximately 4 days
Learn more at http://tacanow.org/family-resources/rotation-diet-and-hints/
Elemental Diet
Only prescribed by a doctor, this is a nutritionally complete, amino acid- based liquid diet. Usually prescribed for a few months to provide gut rest but relies on pre-made formulas like Elecare (which is soy-based) and Splash from Neocate (corn-based).
This diet can help with the following issues:
- Inflammation
- Reflux
- Distension
- Weight gain
Learn more at http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/eosinophilic-esophagitis/basics/definition/con-20035681
“My Kid’s Allergic to Everything” Diet
While rare, we do see some kids who are seemingly allergic to “everything”. These kids should definitely be under the care of a MAPS doctor and/or an immunologist/allergist. Make sure you test plasma for both IgE and IgG allergies. Use the Rotation diet for IgG sensitivities and make use of substitutions for allergens, where possible.
Other diets
- Low histamine diet
- Low glutamate diet
- FODMAP Diet
- Diets for Seizures
- Ketogenic Diet
- Modified Atkins Diet
Whatever Diet(s) You Implement…
- Use as much organic food as possible
- Organic has more nutrients and less chemicals (pesticides, etc.)
- If money is tight…
- Organic meat would be most important
- Then choose as much organic produce as possible
- Use EWG’s “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen” lists to guide your choices
- Just say no to GMOs
- Genetically Modified Organisms are genetically engineered with DNA from bacteria, viruses or other plants and animals
- Most commonly grown GMO foods are Corn, canola and soy
- To be safe, choose certified organic foods as much as possible
Best practices from several “diets” out there:
- LOW CARBS!
- Fermented foods
- Kombucha (very high in oxalates!)
- Organic apple cider vinegar
- Manuka honey
- Sauerkraut
- Coconut kefir
- Probiotics
How TACA can help you:
- Resources including our “On a Budget Series”
- We teach families how to do the GFCFSF diet for a family of four for $320 a month
- Thousands of kid- and family-friendly recipes
- Guidance with resources and tips on how to do these diets
- Tools for talking to the teacher and resources on why this diet is so important
- Allergy avoidance support
- TACA mentors are a free resource to help navigate the diet
- Please sure to indicate which diet you wish to investigate and ask for a mentor with that experience.