Expert: Catherine Ridenour - 9/22/2007

Question
My 5 year old daughter has aspergers and only likes to eat chicken nuggets, fries, pancakes, pizza -- you get the picture. We have heard about the GFCF diet and tried it once, but it was VERY hard to do because she just doesn't like to eat fresh vegies. Can you suggest any alternative / time conscience menus that are considered GFCF?

Answer
Hi Brande,

It is very important to get a handle on her diet whether you are going GFCF or not. We do find that avoiding gluten has a positive effect on our daughter's A.S.

Try tackling gluten and leave casein for another time. If you see improvement and want to go for more, then add milk product avoidance.

Rice is gluten free. You can buy many good gluten free baking mixes which are made of rice with added ingredients to make it stick together. Check your local health food store or search for them on line. They make great pancakes, muffins and coating for frying. She won't taste any difference.

Most children really will not starve themselves. Offer a variety of good foods at each meal. If she refuses to eat, tell her she is welcome to join you at the next meal. Don't give in to tantrums. You are far better off to nip this now while she is small.

One other tactic is to hide good stuff in the pancakes. You can blend in some applesauce or pureed banana. If she likes mashed potatoes, use them to make patties. Use your food processor to blend in some other pre-cooked veggies, form into patties and cook in a skillet. Most kids love them.

To save yourself time, make pancakes and muffins in quantity and freeze them in sandwich bags. Pancakes defrost perfectly in the toaster.

Other alternatives include dried vegetable chips, rice crackers, and soups made without pasta. Corn tortillas can be used to make "pizzas". Spread spaghetti sauce, shredded cheese (real) and add toppings, place under the broiler in your oven, cut in wedges and serve.

Read the labels. "Modified food starch" is another word for wheat gluten, most of the time. Avoid it.

It does take time and attention to maintain a gluten-free diet, but it is getting easier now that more is known about how many people are sensitive to it.

I believe it is worth the effort.

Best wishes,
Catherine