Gluten free diet???

melbhall
melbhall Posts: 519
edited October 5 in Food and Nutrition
My two year old has been diagnosed with autism. Yesterday his therapist mentioned we check into a gluten free diet. I have a few books on this as I've been thinking about it for a while and wanted some real life suggestions. How do you began to go gluten free? Do you gradually cut it out, go cold turkey, or slowly replace favorite foods with gluten free ones? The good news is my son is very picky so it should be "easier" to start the transition. Also, where do you find your gluten free foods?

Any help would be appreciated. I am a young mom of two, feeling sort of lost, trying to do the best for my kids on this unknown journey. So a BIG thank you in advance!

Replies

  • alina726
    alina726 Posts: 30 Member
    Obviously I know nothing about any of this, but I do know that Whole Foods has a lot of gluten free alternatives. everything from cookies to cereal, etc... Also, there is the book written by Jenny McCarthy about what she did for her son with his diet. I know it's been highly criticized by medical professionals, because she has no medical background. However if it worked for her???? Just some thoughts...again coming from someone who knows nothing about it, but have done lots of research for my own little one!
  • sabrinafaith
    sabrinafaith Posts: 607 Member
    I'm sorry, this must be difficult for you and your husband. The easiest thing is probably to replace crackers, pasta, cookies, and breads with gluten free alternatives. Where I live, there is a gluten free aisle at the supermarket. Next time you go shopping, ask the manager where the gluten free section is, if it isn't sufficient, then try whole foods. I would try replacing the foods that are easy to cover up first, like noodles, cookies, and pizza. The pizza place near me also makes gluten free pizza, so maybe next time you order you should ask if your pizza place makes gluten free pizza. I personally find that it's easiest to keep certain diets like this if the whole family is on board, that way the child doesn't have tantrums when he wants something that isn't allowed. My son isn't allowed white flour, so everything in my house is whole wheat or multigrain. My husband is the only one that eats white bread, but he's only home for meals on the weekend, so it doesn't matter so much.
  • traci0620
    traci0620 Posts: 46 Member
    I have never had to do this, but have a friend with an autistic son who does as well as a stepbrother with celiacs disease. Most natural food store (like whole foods) have many gluten free alternatives. I think there are many, many resources on line for help with this. Also, getting linked up with a group of moms who are in the same situation will be of great importance.
  • Salinat
    Salinat Posts: 36
    In March a blood test showed that I was severely anemic. My Doc suggested that a blood transfusion be done (proves how bad it was.) Specialist after specialist could not determine the reason. I decided to research it on my own and found that Celiac Disease causes anemia. I gradually cut Gluten from my diet. it has helped tremendously! GF bread, pasta, and rice is pricey but affordable. Good Luck!
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