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Living
Gluten Free
What is Gluten
and should a Gluten-Free diet be considered for a child with Autism
or one of the variations of ASD?
How involved is this diet and how convenient is it for parents to
find the appropriate foods and maintain a well balanced menu?
Is a Gluten-Free diet medically proven to help some of the symptoms
of these disorders?
Is a Gluten-Free diet something all parents should consider?
These are just a few of the questions to ask your pediatrician if
you have a child with Autism or Aspergers Disease. In this Age of
Knowledge we find information being thrown at us from every direction.
The key to deciding what practices are best for your family is to
get the facts from doctors. A second or even third opinion is often
helpful in decision making. If you are already considering a Gluten-Free
diet, here is some information to help you on your way.
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Gluten
is a mixture of two proteins, gliadin and glutenin. Gluten exists,
conjoined with starch, in some grains, notably wheat, rye,
and barley. Gluten makes up about 80% of the protein contained in
wheat seed and, in general, is an important source of nutritional
protein, both in foods prepared directly from foods containing
it, and as an additive to foods otherwise low in protein. People with
wheat allergies, however, are most likely allergic to the gluten
itself. |
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Some
Recommended Products:
(Starting Point for the Overwhelmed)
1. Breads:
Kinnikinnick, Food for Life, Glutino
2. Other bread
products: Kinnikinnick (chocolate doughnuts, pizza crusts), Foods
by George (bagels), Enjoy Life (bagels), Van's (frozen waffles)
3. Cereal:
Barbara's Bakery
4. Flour: Bob's
Red Mill, Arrowhead Mills
5. Frozen Dinners:
Amy's Kitchen
6. Ice Cream:
Purely Decadent, Soy Delicious, Tofutti
7. Margarine/Butter
Substitute: Soy Garden brand can be used for baking, cooking, or
as a spread.
8. Milk Alternatives:
Silk brand soymilk. Almond milk is another option, for those who
don't have nut allergies. Some rice milks are sweetened with barley
malt syrup, which contains gluten.
9. Pasta: Bionaturae,
Tinkyada
10. Chocolate
bars: Terra Nostra Organic s Rice Milk Chocolate
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Cookbooks
for the GF/CF Diet
1. The Kid-Friendly
ADHD and Autism Cookbook: The Ultimate Guide to the Gluten-Free,
Casein-Free Diet by Pamela Compart & Dana Laake
2. The Kid-Friendly
Food Allergy Cookbook by Leslie Hammond and Lynne Marie Rominger
3. Special
Diets for Special Kids, Two by Lisa Lewis
4. The Gluten-Free
Gourmet Cooks Comfort Foods: Creating Old Favorites with the New
Flours by Bette Hagman
5. Mother Necessity:
Gluten-Free Recipes by Cristin Fergus
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Where
to Shop
1. Ukrop's:
They have a wide selection. Check the bulk goods for prepackaged
alternative flours, the health food section for dairy alternatives,
frozen gluten-free bread products, and cereals, and the partial
aisle devoted to gluten-free foods near the peanut butter and jelly.
2. Healthway:
Look for a row of gluten-free products like pasta, flours, cookies,
baking mixes, etc. There is also a good selection of vitamin and
mineral supplements, which parents of picky eaters (common with
kids on the spectrum) may find appropriate. Remember to read ingredient
labels since supplements, too, can contain gluten or casein.
3. Bloom
and Giant Stores: The selection of GF/CF foods varies by location,
but both stores carry a small selection of specialty items in their
health food sections.
4. Don't
forget local produce markets, especially now that the warmer
weather is approaching! All the fresh fruits and veggies will help
make the transition to a new diet more appealing.
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