A personalized diet can be a great way to improve symptoms of autism, especially in children, and several studies demonstrate this effect.
There are several versions of the autism diet, but the best known is the SGSC diet, which consists of a diet in which all gluten-containing foods are eliminated, such as wheat flour, barley and rye, as well as foods that contain casein, which is the protein found in milk and dairy products.
- However.
- It is important to note that the CSSM guideline is effective and is recommended only in cases where there is some intolerance to gluten and milk.
- As it is necessary to perform tests with the doctor to assess whether or not there is a problem.
Children who follow the SGSC diet may develop withdrawal syndrome within the first 2 weeks, where symptoms of hyperactivity, aggression, and sleep disturbances can be exacerbated, which usually doesn’t worsen autism status and ends at the end of this period.
The first positive results of the SCSG diet appear after 8 to 12 weeks of diet, and it is possible to observe an improvement in sleep quality, a decrease in hyperactivity and an increase in social interactions.
To perform this diet properly, gluten and casein should be removed from the diet, following the following guidelines:
Gluten is the protein of wheat and, in addition to wheat, is also present in barley, rye and certain types of oats, due to the mixture of wheat grains and oats that is normally given in plantations and processing plants.
Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate foods such as
It is important to look at the food label to see if gluten is present or not, because according to Brazilian law, the label of all foods should indicate whether they contain gluten or not.Find out what gluten-free foods are.
Casein is the protein in milk and is therefore found in foods such as cheese, yogurt, curd, sour cream, curd, and all culinary preparations that use these ingredients, such as pizza, cake, ice cream, cookies, and sauces.
In addition, some ingredients used by the industry may also contain casein, such as caseinate, yeast and whey, it is important to always check the label before purchasing an industrialized product.See the full list of foods and ingredients containing casein.
Because this diet limits dairy intake, it is important to increase consumption of other calcium-rich foods, such as broccoli, almonds, linaza, nuts or spinach, for example, and if necessary, a nutritionist may also indicate calcium.Supplement.
In the autistic diet a diet rich in foods such as vegetables and fruits in general, English potato, sweet potato, brown rice, corn, couscous, chestnuts, nuts, peanuts, beans, olive oil, coconut and avocado should be consumed.flour can be replaced with other gluten-free flours such as linaza, almonds, chestnuts, coconut and oats, when the oatmeal label indicates that the product does not contain gluten.
Milk and its derivatives, on the other hand, can be replaced by vegetable milks such as coconut milk and almonds, and vegan versions for cheeses, such as tofu and almond cheese.
The SGSC diet helps control autism because it may be related to a problem called non-coeliac sensitivity to gluten, that is, when the gut is sensitive to gluten and undergoes changes such as diarrhea and bleeding when gluten is consumed.The same goes for casein, which is mis-digested when the intestine is more fragile and sensitive.These intestinal changes often appear to be related to autism, causing worsening symptoms, as well as problems such as allergies, dermatitis and breathing problems, for example.
However, it is important to note that the SGSC diet will not always work to improve symptoms of autism, since not all patients have a gluten- and casein-sensitive body, in these cases a healthy and general diet should be followed, remembering that it should always be followed by the doctor and nutritionist.
The following table shows an example of a 3-day menu for the SGSC plan.
It is important to remember that this is just one example of a gluten-free and lactose-free menu, and that the autistic child must be accompanied by the doctor and nutritionist for the diet to promote growth and development, helping to minimize symptoms and consequences.. Disease.