There may be certain corners of the internet which claim there is a special diet for autism. Often these are diets that claim magical results if you just subscribe to their meal plan or buy their book!
But the reality is that there is no specific diet for autism that has been proven to treat or cure the disorder. That said some parents and caregivers of individuals with autism have reported anecdotal benefits from certain dietary approaches.
We have trawled the internet to provide a couple of the diets claimed to assist. A big caveat is that we are not vouching for any success, but here’s what we found.
GFCF diet
One dietary approach that has gained popularity in the autism community is the gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet. This involves eliminating all foods that contain gluten (a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye) and casein (a protein found in dairy products).
Some parents and caregivers have reported improvements in their child’s behaviour and gastrointestinal symptoms after implementing a GFCF diet.
Low sugar
Another dietary approach that has been studied in relation to autism is a low-sugar, low-carbohydrate diet.
Whilst some parents and caregivers believe this approach has helped there are opinions to the contrary.
Some researchers have suggested that a high-carbohydrate diet may worsen symptoms of autism by increasing inflammation in the brain. However, more research is needed to determine the effectiveness of this dietary approach.
A low sugar diet may share some of the same concepts as the GFCF diet as it would likely reduce the calories and also carbohydrate intake.
Summary – Is there a special diet for autism?
Speaking as a parent who has gone down the Google rabbit hole on this subject I wouldn’t recommend anyone waste too much time researching.
Sometimes getting an autistic child to eat any sort of a balanced diet is challenging enough so you could drive yourself mad trying to stick rigidly to something like a zero carb diet.
It’s also important to note that these dietary approaches are not universally recommended by healthcare providers, and there is limited scientific evidence to support their use in treating autism.
Furthermore, implementing restrictive diets can lead to nutritional deficiencies if not done properly.
If you are considering a special diet for your child with autism, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian to ensure that their nutritional needs are being met.
They can help you identify any potential risks or benefits of a specific dietary approach and provide guidance on how to implement it safely and effectively.
