Autism / Autism Spectrum Support Group
Autism is classified as a neurodevelopmental disorder which manifests itself in markedly abnormal social interaction, communication ability, patterns of interests, and patterns of behavior. Although the specific etiology of autism is unknown, many researchers suspect that autism results from genetically mediated vulnerabilities to environmental triggers.
My daughter Daphne (age 4) is Autistic. One of her doctors thinks she might have a problem with Gluten. That has not absolutely been determined yet. More testing is going to be done soon. We have had her on a GF diet on and off (mostly ON, and within the last month we have had to be VERY strict about it). Daphne is an EXTREMELY picky eater to begin with, and now that she has been on a Gluten free diet, her meal and snack choices are EXTREMELY limited. I should mention that Daphne does not have a problem with dairy products. (testing was done).
Every night I struggle to try to come up with a dinner for her that she can eat, and actually will eat. It seems like I always come up with the same dinner- french fries and another vegetable (such as corn or peas). Often she won't even eat the other vegetable. Sometimes she won't eat ANY of it. I know she's really burned out on the SAME OLD FOODS. She refuses to eat meat, cheese, eggs, and even rice. What's sad is that she really wants to eat the things her 5 yr. old brother likes, like Spaghettios and Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Fortunately, Daphne will drink Pedia Sure, and she gets that 1-2 times a day (8-16 oz). We are happy with that, but still need some ideas for Gluten Free meals and snacks that are especially kid friendly. Maybe some of you have kids who are on this diet, and can offer some suggestions? Sometimes this really gets me down, and I kind of feel like I have failed as a parent- yet this is a tough situation.
Thanks
Wendy
Every night I struggle to try to come up with a dinner for her that she can eat, and actually will eat. It seems like I always come up with the same dinner- french fries and another vegetable (such as corn or peas). Often she won't even eat the other vegetable. Sometimes she won't eat ANY of it. I know she's really burned out on the SAME OLD FOODS. She refuses to eat meat, cheese, eggs, and even rice. What's sad is that she really wants to eat the things her 5 yr. old brother likes, like Spaghettios and Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Fortunately, Daphne will drink Pedia Sure, and she gets that 1-2 times a day (8-16 oz). We are happy with that, but still need some ideas for Gluten Free meals and snacks that are especially kid friendly. Maybe some of you have kids who are on this diet, and can offer some suggestions? Sometimes this really gets me down, and I kind of feel like I have failed as a parent- yet this is a tough situation.
Thanks
Wendy
sambod
Hi wendy. if you go to allrecipes.com and type in gluton free, they do have some recipes there. also if you go to the group activiies for daily living group here on ds, there are also some recipes. just go to groups at top of page, scroll down to activities for daily living.
deleted_user
I've tried nd simply cannot find replacements for al lmyson's favorites. The only one he seems 100% fine with is the chocolate "almond breeze" almond milk - not the vanilla. I've also found a suitable non dairy, non gluten ice cream too, but the cream cheese i've tried is a no go, the same with the marg, the same with the bread. He knows his food and knows what he likes and it's next to impossible to get him to change. He can also tell vege-meat as well. Good luck to you and if there are any other suggestions, pass 'em along.
deleted_user
I understand I have been doing the diet with Sean for over 4 years now. There are lots of things that she can have don't be so sad!!!! If she likes pasta then they sell all kinds of gluten free pasta and you can use sauce right? There is a really good breat by Glutano it is the corn bread and tastes really good but you really need to toast it even if only for a little while. I am sure it would be good with Peanut butter and Jelly. If she would eat chicken nuggets the Bell and Evans chicken nuggets are really good they are breaded with rice bread crumbs. You cannot even tell the difference. You could make corn muffins. They sell the 365 brand at whole foods and they are really good. All the cakes and snacks are good. Kinnikinack makes a great bagel!!!!! Sean loves them. You should check with the Annie brands they may have gluten free spaghettio's - well almost they are made with rice pasta. I would be willing to bet that they make them. They make mac n cheese that is good. But I remember you said she won't eat cheese. Maybe if she saw your other child eating that she would too?? Glutano makes a really good pretzel. If I can help you please message me. Hugs and good luck. Denise
deleted_user
Here are some things I use. I live in denver, so I don't know if you will be able to find this stuff, but here goes. I get bread at vitimen cottege, the bakery is Beyond The Bread Box (they have a website). It's not frozen, taists great and comes with a variety of allergens eliminated. Food for life brown rice tortillas (also from vitiman cottege), Taco shells (kroger) will often be without wheat flour but read the lable. Bobs redmill is the flour mix I use. Corn bread, brownies,cookies and regular flour. I bought a book called GFCFDIET Shopping Guide and I use it all the time. Wheat is hidden in lots of strange places. A few tricks to normalizing non wheat baking is to sub 1/3 of mix with tapioca flour. Adding banannas, cinimon or nutmeg also masks it some. Oh, also a last min. meal is Thi Kitchen Spring onion. This is like topromon, but with rice noodles and it's not spicey. toss some veggies and seeds on it and its a taisty 3 min. meal.
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