Until now there is no medication or a special diet that can improve the structure of the brain or nerve tissue seems to underlie autism. As known symptoms in children with autism disorders varies greatly, therefore it is very individual treatment depending on the circumstances and symptoms, can not be uniform. But it would be difficult to make dietary guidelines that are highly individualized. It should be noted that children with autism are generally very allergic to some foods. Experience and attention of parents in regulating food and observe the symptoms caused by certain foods are very useful in subsequent therapy. Diet therapy tailored to the main symptoms that arise in children. Here are some examples of the diet of children with autism.
1. A diet without gluten and without casein
Various diets are often recommended for children with autism disorders. In general, parents start with a diet without gluten and casein, which means avoiding foods and drinks that contain gluten and casein.
Gluten is a protein that is naturally present in the family "grass" like wheat / wheat, havermuth / oats, and barley. Gluten gives strength and suppleness to the flour and similar materials, while casein is a milk protein. In healthy people, eating gluten and casein will not cause serious problems / triggers the onset of symptoms. In general, this diet is not difficult because the Indonesian staple food is rice that does not contain gluten. Some examples of recipes contained in this Autis.info site is placed on the diet without gluten and without casein. If the child turns out there are other disorders, then simply adjust the recipes by replacing foodstuffs are recommended. Repair / decrease the symptoms of autism with special diets can usually be seen in the time between 1-3 weeks. If after a few months on the diet is no progress, then the diet is not suitable and the child can be given food as before.
Foods to avoid are:
Foods containing gluten, namely all the food and drink made from wheat, havermuth, and oats for example bread, noodles, pastries, cakes, biscuits, pastries, pizza, macaroni, spaghetti, flour seasoning, and so on.
Other products such as baking soda, baking soda, instant broth, tomato sauce and other sauces, and pepper powder, may also use wheat flour as an ingredient. So, need to carefully use. Pay attention to / read the label on the packaging.
Food sources of casein, the milk and the results olahnya for example, ice cream, cheese, butter, yogurt, and foods using milk mixture.
Meat, fish, or chicken are preserved and processed as sausage, corned beef, nuggets, hotdogs, sardines, smoked meat, smoked fish, and so on. Tempe is also not recommended, especially for children who are allergic to mold because of making tempe using yeast fermentation.
Fruit and vegetable preserves such as fruit and vegetables in cans.
Foods that are recommended are:
Food sources of carbohydrates selected that do not contain gluten, for example rice, cassava, yams, taro, corn, rice flour, tapioca, arrowroot, cornstarch, rice noodles, glass noodles, and so on.
Food sources of protein selected that do not contain casein, such as soy milk, meat, and fish is fresh (uncured), poultry, eggs, shrimp, mussels, squid, tofu, green beans, red beans, Tolo, cashews, peas and other legumes.
Fresh vegetables like spinach, broccoli, squash, pumpkin, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers, and so on.
Fresh fruits such as grapes, apple, papaya, mango, banana, guava, grapefruit, watermelon, and so on.
2. Diet anti-yeast / yeast / fungus
This diet given to children with disorders of fungal infections / yeast. As has been explained previously that fungal growth is closely related to sugar, the food given without the use of sugar, yeast, and fungi.
Foods to avoid are:
Bread, pastry, biscuits, pastries and breads such foods, which use sugar and yeast.
All types of cheese.
Meat, fish or chicken processed such as salami, sausages, hot dogs, corned beef, and others.
Various sauces (ketchup, chili sauce), condiments / spices, mustard, monosodium glutamate, a variety of soy sauce, assorted pickles (cucumber, onion, olives) or foods that use vinegar, mayonnaise or salad dressing.
All types of fresh and dried mushrooms for example mushroom, mushroom, and others.
Dried fruit eg raisins, aprokot, dates, bananas, prunes, and others.
Fruit juice / fruit preserves, alcoholic beverages, and all the sweet drinks.
Leftovers also should not be given because the fungus can grow rapidly in the rest of the meal, unless stored in the refrigerator.
The food is recommended to avoid 1-2 weeks. After that, to try usually given one by one. If not cause symptoms, meaning it can be consumed.
Foods that are recommended are:
Food sources of carbohydrates: rice, rice flour, potato, sweet potato, cassava, corn, and tales. Bread or biscuits can be given when made from wheat flour that is not tepaung.
Food sources of protein such as meat, fish, chicken, shrimp and other seafood fresh.
Food sources of vegetable protein such as beans (almod, cashews, soybeans, green beans, peas, and others). However, peanuts are not recommended because often moldy.
All fresh vegetables, especially the low-carbohydrate such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, beets, carrots, cucumbers, squash, spinach, eggplant, cabbage, tomatoes, beans, beans, spinach, tomatoes, and others.
Fresh fruits in limited quantities.
3. Diet for allergies and food inteloransi
Children with autism generally suffer from severe allergies. Foods that often cause allergies are fish, shrimp, eggs, milk, chocolate, wheat / wheat, and bias more. How to set up children's food allergies and intolerances to food, first of all to consider the source of the cause. The food is thought to cause the symptoms of allergy / intolerance should be avoided. For example, if a child is allergic to eggs, all foods that use eggs should be avoided. The food does not have to dipantang lifetime. With increasing age of the child, these foods can be introduced one by one, little by little.
How to arrange the food in general
Provide a balanced diet to ensure that the body gets all the nutrients needed for growth, repair of damaged cells and daily activities.
Sugar should be avoided, especially for hyperactive and fungal infection. Fructose can be used as a sugar substitute because of a slower absorption of fructose compared to glucose / sucrose.
Oils for cooking should use vegetable oil, corn oil, sunflower seed oil, peanut oil, soybean oil, or olive oil. If necessary add fat consumption, the food can be fried.
Consume enough fiber, particularly fiber from vegetables and fresh fruits. Consumption of vegetables and 3-5 servings of fruit per day.
Choose foods that do not use a food additive (flavor enhancer substances, dyes, preservatives).
When the balance of nutrients can not be met, consider vitamin and mineral supplements (vitamin B6, vitmin C, zinc, and magnesium).
Read the food label to determine the composition of the complete meal and expiry date.
Provide enough food varied. When the food is monotonous, then the child will be bored.
Avoid junk food as it is currently sold, replace with fresh fruits and vegetables.
