GFCF - what symptons disappeared?It took a couple of months, and none of our issues have completely disappered (we didn't expect them to), but we've seen: better GI motility, much less gas/bloating/pain, a reduction in issues related to reflux, a major decrease in eczema, a decrease in stim behavior (still there, but much less), more energy, better sleep patterns (no, they still don't sleep through the night without meds, but aren't getting up all night because of tummy issues--just everything else), a decrease in drooling issues in our 4 yo, and less hyperactivity. That alone has justified our sticking to the diet; and we cook GFCF for everyone in the house. It's just easier that way. As for lunches, they're easy to manage. They pack lunch. If you can, get a note from your doc, provide it to the school, make sure GFCF is noted on the IEP and then ask them to make sure your children aren't trading foods. We started rather late also. My dd was almost 9 and my son was 9 1/2 years old. I have seen improvements on the GFCF (and soy, peanut, egg free ) diet along with enyzymes, probiotics, b12 shots, various vitamin/mineral supplements. Also low sugar/yeast and mostly organic foods. I wouldn't say symptoms disappeared, but instead of signficantly lessened. Less stimming and uncontrollable laughing. More social interaction and understanding of people. Definitely more energy and great improvements in motor skills. Better concentration and focus. Constipation in both kids has greatly improved too. Can't say if it is due to the GFCF diet, or due to probiotics, or combination of everything. Plus my dd also no longer has vomiting episodes. Of course I wish I had started when they were younger, but even at this age, I am seeing improvements. I pack their lunches. I have to say the hardest part are going to restaurants and birthday celebrations at school. I try to always have a stash of acceptable treats at school (in case I don't know about a birthday or other event). I never realized how much candy, cookies, cupcakes, etc. is given at school! It is awful. But my kids have now learned to bring it home and trade it in for something acceptable. Honestly, it is very hard at the beginning, but when you see results it is worth it. It does get easier once you know about labels, where to shop, and what they like. Hard on the kids too (especially older onces I think), but once they know why it gets easier. Good luck. Doesn't work for everyone, but it is worth a try. My kids, especially my dd, have greatly benefitted. __________________________ mom to 10 year old boy/girl twins (Asperger's/PDD-NOS) I've been contemplating GFCF diet for a while - my sons are 9 (ADHD) and 11 (PDD-NOS) and sometimes I think 'what's the point at this stage' but the more I read, the more I realize. I've never really thought they were sensitive to either but maybe that is not always the case? I have to admit, it seems so overwhelming to think about overhauling everything they eat - and what about school? Pack their lunches everyday? So what symptoms disappear when you put your DC on a GFCF diet? My 11 yo has chronic constipation - will it help that? We're not to the point of lunchboxes yet, but as for the symptoms, nothing completely went away for us, but a lot of them got a lot better. Much less constipation, chronic rashes went away, his stomach was no longer as distended, and we got a huge surge in language, and a general return of DS's personality and desire to be around people. FWIW, a friend of mine here in town put her then 8-yr-old on the diet, and now at 9 1/2 he's doing amazing. If I remember correctly, his biggest problem was anxiety (he has asperger's) - he was so freaked out about bugs that he had panic attacks every morning trying to leave for school. Believe it or not, he went camping last weekend! The diet doesn't work for everyone, and for most the results aren't so dramatic, but goodness knows it's worth a try. It's not like medications that have all those side effects - this is just food! For school lunches what would u pack if u were me? my son likes bananas and cheese sandwiches apples chips... what's holding me back is the cheese sandwiches, he eats about 2-3 per day. double whammpee DD can't use utensils Milk-based cheese, bread (any bread made with processed flours) and constipation go hand in hand. Its one of those things. For lunch, we'll do a GFCF english muffin w/ pizza toppings (organic, no additive/preservative pepperoni, soy cheese and italian tomato sauce0, green salad, sliced apples, organic lemonade. Or GFCF chicken fingers, chips, sliced apples (mine fixate on apples) and organic lemonade (another fixation). Sometimes we'll do a corn tortilla roll-up (additive/preservative free lunch meat, soy cheese, lettuce shreds--rolled up in a corn tortilla--you could use a GFCF rice tortilla too). Sometimes Tori likes a rice cake with peanut butter and jelly. We also bake our own GFCF bread for sandwiches (there are lots of good mixes out there or you might find a bakery that has GFCF items--we have a local bakery that does exclusively GFCF foods). We do corn dogs (made with ground lentils and corn meal as the breading) sometimes; or hot dogs (using kosher hot dogs and GFCF buns from our local bakery). There are all kinds of options. |
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