When implementing a GFCF (gluten-free casein-free) diet, one scary thought that many families have is, “Will everyone have go to GFCF?”
I will respond to this question many ways.
- The most important aspect of this diet is to avoid cross contamination. You cannot make a sandwich with cheese and wheat bread, then without washing your hands made a GFCF sandwich, because you will then transfer the proteins that are on your hands onto the food of the person needing to be GFCF. You also cannot use the same condiments and spread it on your wheat bread, dip the knife into the mayo and then onto the GFCF bread, again cross contamination has occurred with this practice.
- It does make life easier for many to completely get rid of all of the foods containing gluten and casein in their home, but if proper care is taken, it is not necessary. Often separate shelves or a separate freezer is a good idea.
- If you want the family member who is on the special diet to feel part of the family, it is thoughtful to prepare meals that everyone can enjoy together.
- Some people toss out all of the wheat flours and wheat pastas and only use GF ones. Then you won’t make any mistakes and everyone can enjoy the same foods. You might even enjoy GF pasta over wheat pasta, once you get used to it. There are many brands that are quite good: Tinkayda and Trader Joe’s (which might be the same) seem to be the most enjoyed GF pastas, but there are many brands to try, some with rice, some with corn, some with quinoa and some with a mixture of different GF grains.
The most important part of this diet is to not make the person on it feel neglected. If you are eating ice cream, find a brand and flavor that they will enjoy just as much. If you are eating cookies, same thing and so forth. It is all about finding wonderful alternatives…and they do exist!
About Barrie SilberbergBarrie is the author of The Autism & ADHD Diet: A Step-by-Step Guide to Hope and Healing by Living Gluten Free and Casein Free (GFCF) and Other Interventions and has been additionally published in multiple national magazines on the Gluten-Free Casein-Free lifestyle.
