Advice for getting super-picky 8yo (w/ADHD) on GFCF diet?

[k13]

I've been wanting to try the Glutein/Casein free (GFCF) diet for my 8 y/o daughter with ADHD/ODD... but am at a loss as to how to go about it. Not so much from a food standpoint as from a "how to get her to eat" standpoint.

I have always been a whole/organic foods eating kind of person, so it is hard to say what went wrong or where... but my daughter is such a behaviorally challenging child I had to pick my battles with her. Over time she has ended up with a very limited diet. I ended up making her food separate from the rest us because I was desperate for her to eat something... if she didn't eat her behavior was much worse. I have been frustrated lately as she has "dropped" foods she would previously eat from her "list" reducing it even further! She does eat a select number of fruits and vegetables but craves glutein and casein combos like mac and cheese or cheese pizza. I have been implementing glutein free stuff with success.

I just wish I had found out about GFCF earlier when she was smaller and less "set in her ways"!

I'm looking for ideas on how to change this situation, how to implement GFCF diet, how to explain it to her, how to encourage her to try new things (she refuses).

I'm prepared to put the whole family on the diet, just wondering how to deal with it when she won't eat... will we just have to endure some hunger induced insanity for a few days before she gives in or ?

How have other people dealt with introducing diet changes with a very picky eater? Especially an 8 y/o with ADHD and ODD and sensory issues...
????

[Heavenly]

Why do you want to change her diet? GFCF is pretty extreme and it isn't something to try "just because." At least have her tested to see if she is even allergic to those items before changing anything.

[Village Mama]

Hmmm. I am in the " pro" diet change camp. The docs don't give a ton of support to even try a change in diet, but the difference it has made for my kiddos has been life changing. We didn't test as positive celiac on the blood panel, nor were we actually allergic. Didn't want to go as far as the biopsy thank you! I say if you do it, make sure to do it all of the way. Is it possible for you to try it with her for the trial period. Maybe she will be more open to it if it is something you are trying together or as a family? I found that going gluten free actually ended up opening thier food choices in the end... once the addiction of the gluten was out of thier system it was easier in so many ways. I always feel weird when people seem to be so " down" on the dietary changes. In the scheme of things , it is way more simple than a lifetime of ( possible) food reactions and or medication. Definitely not a cure all, but for the amount of people that have success, I really don't see the issue.

[ASusan]

Develop a really long list of foods that DO conform to the dietary guidelines.

If you think cold-turkey won't work - Finish what you have in the house that has gluten/dairy, and then don't buy any more. Start purchasing substitutions that you will gradually add in.

Can you have her help plan the meals for the next two weeks? This week, maybe limit the gluten-caesin to a set # of meals (2-3 dinners? and maybe 2-3 lunches)? Help her to pick foods from the list. This may give her more control and buy-in.

You might also try subs like Amy's Gluten-free/dairy-free frozen pizza. I think it's great, but I first had it over a year after I gave up wheat/dairy, so my taste buds may be off. Having just had "normal" pizza, your DD may have a different impression. My guess is that it would be best for wheat/dairy to be well out of her system before you introduce substitutes like these.

[sbgrace]

I, too, think the subs are easier to transition to if you've been off gluten for a while. Gluten free just isn't the same but it's better once you forget gluten a little if that makes sense.

You could try enzymes (houston enzymes makes some good ones to handle gluten/casein). That might get you over the hump and it would help handle the gluten and casein as well. Enzymes don't replace diet but they can do a lot of what diet does and may help you see if she's going to respond to that change as it is really life changing and may not be worth the struggle. There are also enzymes to handle phenols which could possibly be more of an issue for an ADHD kiddo. Enzyme stuff website is a really good resource and I think they have information on ADHD as well as things like autism.

My son did not get less picky gfcf and we did it strictly for two years. That said, gluten and casein weren't really his issues and he didn't really make gains with the diet so he's likely not a good test case for whether kids eat better on it! All our meals are still gf (and dairy free but I do give Andrew cheese sometimes for fat) and I like that it's expanded our food choices as a family.

[earthmama4]

We gradually worked our way into it, buy more and more GFDF foods, eliminating others, and finally getting to the point that I wanted to try it full-time. However, at that age, I think you should consider getting her consent. I asked my sons, ages 8, 11, and then 13, if they would consider a GFDF trial and explained why, in basic terms. (For some people the proteins in milk and wheat don't get digested properly and go the brain and affect how they feel.) I got them all to voluntarily agree to a trial. They don't like feeling that way anymore than I like seeing them like that!

For us I saw no difference whatsoever. I though for sure I would since two of my three are as you describe, total milk and bread cravers. But nope. No difference. The same ebb and flow of behavior that we always have, GFDF or not. In fact, the stress of having different foods from friends at school, family parties, etc, exacerbated anxiety at several times. My poor 8 year old had THREE b-day parties during our trial period! In the end it wasn't worth the stress, expense, or the social price they had to pay. But I am sure glad we tried it!

I found this to be the most helpful website for implementing GFCF.

http://gfcf-diet.talkaboutcuringauti...n-10-weeks.htm

[sbgrace]

I forgot to link in the enzyme site. http://www.enzymestuff.com/
If I were in your situation that is the direction I would go.

[k13]

Thanks for the tips, it is really helpful to hear what you all have to say.

I just want to mention that we are going to see a naturopath who specializes in kids and adhd and nutrition before I fully implement any major dietary changes. I expect we'll do a lot of testing for allergies, sensitivities, heavy metals etc. etc. that should help guide us. I guess I'm just expecting that gfcf will be a likely one based on a lot of what I have read for instance in the book "Healing the New Childhood Epidemics..." which makes a lot of sense to me.

Our daughter was only recently "officially" diagnosed so I am still researching exploring a lot of options (including meds) and haven't really decided on the specifics yet.

I also have a one-year-old who has shown obvious reactions to gluten so I have already been substituting a lot of gluten free things as she wants to eat more of what the rest of us eat.

Thanks again for the links and suggestions!

[sbgrace]

Originally Posted by k13

I also have a one-year-old who has shown obvious reactions to gluten so I have already been substituting a lot of gluten free things as she wants to eat more of what the rest of us eat.

In this case it makes a lot more sense to just go gluten free full out when the time comes then. Safer for her (even gluten crumbs in a toaster, jar of jam, or remnants in a non-stick pan are an issue for those sensitive).
Tinkyada rice pasta is really good (other gf pastas are not so good, just this brand) and an easy switch for all of you I expect.

[logan&jordansmommy]

If you can list what she does like to eat we may be able to find some easy ideas for you.
Good luck!

[Heba]

Watching this thread with interest, as at some point soon we may be trying GFCF to see if it alleviates ds's dyspraxic symptoms.

We are already additive-free and found that it worked wonders for ds's adhd/odd symptoms. I'm a bit worried that being additive-free might make it difficult to go gluten free, as it seems that a lot of gluten-free substitutes contain corn which we can't have as it's processed with sulphites - which ds reacts badly to.

Anyway...for now we're trying epa/dha supplementation. GFCF diet will be next .