Several studies have shown that in some children with autism, an individualized diet can help improve symptoms of autism. The most common diet is a gluten-free, casein-free diet where all gluten-containing foods such as wheat flour, barley and centenium are removed, and casein-containing foods, which are present in milk and its proteins, are eliminated.
In addition, a large percentage of these children have thrush because in these cases sugar is eliminated and fruit-based fruit consumption is reduced, preferring to consume less sweet fruits, in addition, it is advisable to perform food allergy tests to check if it is necessary to exclude other foods from the diet.
- It is important that the diet is indicated by a nutritionist.
- Since each case is different.
- So it is necessary to evaluate several parameters for the development of a personalized diet.
In this diet, it is necessary to eliminate all foods that contain these proteins, it is important to mention that in some children who begin to strictly comply with this diet, they may have a “abstinence syndrome” that can last about 2 weeks. is characterized by aggravation of symptoms of hyperactivity, aggressiveness, skin alterations and other sensory and motor changes. This crisis is limited and leaves no aftermath.
Generally, after 8 to 12 weeks of diet, if you notice an improvement in both subject and hyperactivity and social interaction, the effects of the diet are cumulative, so it is faster to start but the child will benefit from this treatment.
It is a protein found in wheat, barley and centenium, whose ingestion can cause irritation at the intestinal level, generating symptoms such as diarrhea, pain and abdominal inflammation, so it is important to eliminate foods such as:
It is important to read the nutritional label of food products to see if they contain gluten. He knows which foods don’t contain gluten.
Casein is the protein found in milk and its derivatives such as milk, yogurt, milk, milk cream, condensed milk and all culinary preparations that use these ingredients.
In addition, some ingredients used by the industry may also contain casein, such as caseinate, milk yeast and baby food, so it is important to check the food label before purchasing an industrial product. He knows more about foods that contain casein.
The diet limiting the consumption of dairy products and derivatives, the calcium intake must come from other foods such as broccoli, almonds, sea bream, flaxseed, walnuts, basil, spinach, chickpeas, among others and if necessary, the nutritionist may indicate a calcium. supplement to cover your daily needs.
It should also, combined with a gluten-free and casein-free diet, restrict nutrients that promote the growth of fungi and yeasts, eliminating sugar and fruit-rich foods, this type of sugar ferments in the gut and creates a proliferation of this type of organism, so they are more likely to suffer from thrush.
In addition, the nutritionist should indicate an analysis of food allergies, where he is allergic to other foods, and positive allergies, also eliminated from the diet, as they cause inflammation of the intestinal mucosa.
In the diet of people with autism, low-sugar plant foods and fruits such as mandarin, orange, strawberries, kiwi, apple, raspberry and blackberries should be included. They can also consume porridge, potato sweet potato, rice, corn, couscous, beans, chickpeas, quinoa, lentils, buckwheat, amaranth, nuts, man, almonds, coconut, olive oil, avocado and seeds of chia, flaxseed and sesame.
In the case of proteins, they can consume their meat and chicken without any inconvenience, in the case of fish it is ideal to consume small calibers because they contain less mercury than larger fish.
Wheat flour can be replaced with other gluten-free flours such as lysine, almonds, coconut, chickpea and oats, if the latter is labelled as nutritional, it should be indicated that it does not contain gluten. In the case of pasta, there is a paste on the market based on corn, chickpeas, lentils and stews.
In the case of licking and its derivatives, it can be replaced by vegetable milks such as coconut, rice, quinoa, almond atying and licking, and by vegetarian versions of elements such as tofu and almond cheese.
The gluten-free, casein-free diet helps reduce symptoms of autism, as this disease is linked to a problem called celiac gluten sensitivity, which causes several changes such as diarrhea, abdominal pain and bleeding, the same goes for casein, which is not properly digested when the intestine is more fragile and sensitive, even though a diet is difficult for priests and family members to follow , the nutritionist will indicate several alternatives and culinary preparations to offer variety and provide all the nutrients that the autistic person does not need.
Follow this type of nutrition with positive changes reported when all nutritional indications are filled according to the letter, inhabiting an increase in communication, greater eye contact, greater concentration, better alterations, fewer alterations, panic reactions and rabies attacks, and increased speech compression and the ability to learn words.
However, it is important to note that this diet may not work at all in some patients, as not everyone has a gluten- and casein-sensitive organism, as they are of paramount importance and follow-up by a healthcare professional. . This dietary intervention will take time and will require different controls to determine the accuracy of the most favorable diet.
The table continues with an example menu of a diet for autism spectrum syndrome:
It is important to remember that this is only a gluten-free and lactose-free menu, and that the autistic child may have other restrictions, as well as the songs will vary depending on their needs, so they must be accompanied by both a doctor and a nutritionist, to that food favors growth and development, helping to minimize the symptoms and consequences of the disease.