Increasing evidence in recent years has linked treating autism with a gluten free and casein free diet and replacing some of these foods with soy alternatives, according to Education.com. However, many autistic children have trouble digesting soy foods as well because many of them contain an ingredient very similar to casein. Talk About Curing Autism reports that many children with autism have a negative immune response to soy and recommend cutting it out in addition to gluten and casein. However, there are still foods you can feed your child to keep him happy and healthy.
Fruit
Fresh fruit is free of gluten, casein and soy and is safe to give to an autistic child. However, the Lucille Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford recommends avoiding fruit drinks and sauces because they are sometimes made with soy containing ingredients. Fresh fruit can be sliced for a snack or to eat with a meal and its natural sweetness is something many autistic children will enjoy eating. Frozen and canned fruit is usually safe to eat as well, but a quick scan of the ingredients can tell you whether it contains an unsafe ingredients. Also, 100 percent fruit juice is often safe to give your autistic child too.
Meat
Plain meat is gluten free, casein free and soy free and can safely be given to an autistic child. Red meat, poultry, fish and shellfish are good choices, according to Autism Web. Lamb and pork are also safe meat options. The Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford cautions parents to avoid meats that are covered in sauce or breaded because they often contain soy ingredients. In addition, some sausages, hot dogs and lunch meats are processed using soy so they should be eliminated unless a parent is sure they are free of unsafe ingredients. Grilling and roasting meat is a good way to prepare it without soy.
Eggs
Eggs are a versatile ingredient that can be safely given to an autistic child who cannot eat soy foods, reports Autism Web. Fresh chopped vegetables are a good addition to eggs and they can also be served with fresh fruit. Oils that are soy free and can be used to prepare eggs include butter, margarine and shortening. Eggs can be served at any meal and can be flavored with fresh herbs and spices that are soy free for a variety of different flavors. Bread made from rice flour is also something that you can serve alongside eggs to your autistic child.
