Gluten free diet? Do I make the change...

I found out by accident that gluten free was beneficial to me.  I tried it because I heard it help with joint pain. It didn't do anything for the joint pain but I suddenly had considerably reduced pain and upset of the bowels. I went back onto the gluten and the pain came back, and when I went off the gluten again it reduced again.  I had rather assumed everybody had painful bowels. 

The only thing is I am more sensitive to gluten now so when I forgot and ate a very small piece of birthday cake I was ill for three days.  Also it was easy for me to give up gluten because I live on my own, it is a bit more tricky in a family setting. I have a very balanced diet as I eat a lot of rice, and I eat about nine fruit and veg. a day.  I agree with Hope in that we have food issues so only try it gradually and if it doesn't cause other problems.

Tread with caution. Excluding whole food categories from a child's diet, when there are no diagnosed food intolerances, can be unhealthy. Best to follow a balanced diet, low in artificial substances. Freshly prepared food, with lots of fruit and veg, is the best option.

Hi Beckie,

I'm not a mother but to be honest with you, it doesn't sound like there would be much truth in this. I'm only 16 but I have tried lots of diets (admittedly for weight reasons rather than anything to do with my ASD) including a gluten free diet. I didn't notice any effect whatsoever on my behaviour - my hyperactivity, my anxiety or my concentration levels. Of course it's all individual but some of these theories you find on the internet are just fads. By all means try it, but don't be disappointed if it doesn't work!

I suffer from severe concentration problems as a result of being on the spectrum and the only diet I have found in any way, shape or form helpful is a balanced diet high in healthy foods such as fruit, veg, oily fish, wholegrains, eggs, dairy etc., low in processed foods and artificial sugars and no caffeine (since he's so young that shouldn't be a problem).

Gluten free alternatives to everyday food are all very well if you have allergies, intolerances etc. which mean you have to avoid gluten, but when you don't, it is quite a tough transition and the foods can be just as sugary and processed as foods which are not gluten free, e.g. gluten free biscuits, making them, in my experience, just as bad for behaviour. Plus gluten free products are considerably more expensive, according to my mum. She was very unhappy when I insisted I wanted to go gluten free! Mind you, it was back in the Dark Days when she was lucky to get food in my mouth at all.

So, and I'm trying not to be condescending here as you're a mother and I'm a child, but from my experiences the best thing for your son would be to just keep his diet healthy and balanced, drastically limit caffeine when he gets older, sweets as occasional treats only and don't fall into the trap of taking too much notice of "advice" you find online!

Good luck!

Liv 

PS Don't let my view put you off. If you want to try it then do - if other people have had success, it could be worth a go!