autism_ribbonutism is a whole-body disorder.

kid_with_autismThe foods and substances that are fed to children directly impact what happens in their brain. In the child with autism, this gut-brain connection is important for parents to understand. Foods and nutrients can impact the symptoms of autism.

When implementing diet keep an open mind.

Imagine the many positive possibilities and take simple small steps to work toward full implementation.

Here are TEN simple, yet powerful, things you can do today to help your child feel better as you serve them food on a daily basis:

  • Remove all artificial colors: Such as Red #40 and Yellow #5
  • Remove artificial flavors: Vanillin, artificial strawberry, etc.
  • Remove all preservatives: Specifically BHA, BHT and TBHQ
  • Remove Monosodium Glutamate: MSG, hydrolyzed vegetable protein, other hydrolyzed items, autolyzed yeast, yeast extract
  • Remove Artificial Sweeteners

  • Avoid Trans Fats: Partially hydrogenated oil found in many commercial mayonnaise, margarine, and peanut butter products, fast foods and fried food, and baked goods

  • Serve organic fruits and vegetables: Avoid pesticides and chemicals
  • Serve organic dairy products: Avoid hormones and antibiotics
  • Serve grass-fed meats: Avoid hormones and antibiotics
  • Limit sugar and avoid high fructose corn syrup use: select organic juice

After you become comfortable with the first ten simple healthy eating steps, the next step is often considering which autism diet to do. A vast majority of families start with Gluten-Free and Casein-Free (Dairy-Free) Diet.


Though there are many effective “autism diet” choices, beginning nutritional intervention need not be overwhelming.
world_autism_organizationTen years ago, there were few choices, it was just – do diet! And, “do diet” meant do the Gluten-Free Casein-Free Diet (GFCF). Eliminating gluten (the protein in wheat) and casein (the protein in dairy) was the primary focus of diet for autism for many years and the GFCF diet has proven to be very beneficial for many children on the spectrum.


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Today, additional advances in nutrition research and parent experience have resulted in the broader application of dietary strategies such as SCD and GAPS Diet and Low Oxalate Diet.

Because each person has unique chemistry and underlying conditions, it’s important to identify, follow, and customize the varied approaches to meet each situation.