What is Gluten?

At the Kingston Xavier Foundation we strive in providing the most up-to-date nutrition information for children on the spectrum. We understand that no two children’s needs are exactly the same and seek to provide nutrition knowledge, research, and tips which can aid in addressing the unique challenges and barriers parents may face with an autistic child. We hope the following nutrition information provides some guidance for those in the autism community. 

Background:

What is Gluten?

What is Celiac disease?

Is Gluten Sensitivity Linked to Autism?

Gluten-free Diet Modifications

What is Gluten?

Gluten is the general name for the family of proteins found in wheat, barley, rye and a combination of them. Generally, wheat proteins are present in foods such as breads, baked goods, pasta, cereals, sauces, soups, and salad dressings. Barley is commonly found in malt(s), food coloring, soups, and Brewer’s yeast. Lastly, Rye is regularly present in rye bread (pumpernickel) and cereals. 

What is Celiac?

Celiac Disease is serious immune reaction to eating gluten proteins (wheat, barley, rye). If gluten is consumed by a person with celiac, an immune response is triggered in the small intestine. This leads to damage of the small intestine and malabsorption of nutrients.

Is Gluten Sensitivity Linked to Autism?

A recent study released on June 2013, demonstrated that children with autism have increased immune system reactivity to gluten. The study focused on identifying specific and genetic celiac markers as well as IgG/IgA antibodies in blood samples of 37 children with autism and 27 unaffected siblings. IgA antibodies can be found in the gut and indicate immune function in the inner lining of the GI tract. IgG antibodies (the most abundant antibody) can be found in all body fluids and indicates an overall immune response. 

Researchers found that autistic children who experienced GI symptoms had significantly higher levels of IgG in their blood compared to those without GI symptoms. However, when testing for celiac specific markers or genetic testing for celiac disease, a direct link was not established for autism and celiac disease. Researchers concluded that children with autism have an increased chance of having gluten-related antibodies present in their blood if experiencing GI discomfort. Thus, while a definitive direct link cannot be made by this study, and further research needs to be conducted, if your autistic child is experiencing GI discomfort, gluten sensitivity may be a factor and a gluten-free modified diet may be something to consider.

Gluten-free Diet Modifications

Limiting or removing gluten from your child’s diet may feel like a challenging task. As a nutritionist, I like to guide my clients in focusing on what they can add rather than remove to ensure adequate nutrition. As described previously, gluten can be found in many foods and feel like a difficult task identify. Remember to start slowly and small, for example focus on limiting or avoiding foods which contain wheat, barley and rye. For a detailed list scroll back to the What is Gluten? To find a general list of foods which contain gluten. Again, I would like to emphasize in seeking out gluten-free food groups which include:

· Dairy

· Vegetables

· Fruits

· Beef, Poultry, Fish and Seafood

· Beans, Legumes, and nuts

Do not avoid carbohydrates all together as they part of a balanced diet. Look for starchy vegetables such as white potatoes, sweet potatoes, green peas, acorn squash, butternut squash, summer squash, turnips, and carrots just to name a few. You may also want to include naturally gluten-free grains, legumes, and seeds such as:

· Arrowroot

· Amaranth

· Buckwheat (kasha)

· Beans

· Cassava

· Chia

· Corn

· Flax

· GF oats

· Millet

· Nut flours

· Quinoa

· Rice

· Sorghum

· Soy

· Tapioca

· Teff

· Yucca

It is important to note that while some these foods are naturally gluten-free they may contain gluten from cross-contamination during processing. Read the nutrition labels which will indicate if processed in a plant which contains gluten products. Also “wheat free” does not necessarily indicate that a product is “gluten-free” as it may contain other grains which contain gluten so be mindful of that. Most beverages are gluten-free such as milk, juice, soda, and sports drinks. While some of these contain food coloring, they are considered “gluten-free” according to FDA standard of less than 20 parts per million of gluten. 

Want to test out your gluten-free knowledge? Make a simple, balanced, and delicious gluten-free recipe by including some of the gluten-free foods listed above!

For a nutritionally balanced meal, focus on the major food groups: Protein, Carbohydrates, Fats, Dairy, Fruits and Vegetables.

Example:

Carbohydrate (starchy vegetable): white potatoes chopped and sautéed in canola oil

Protein: Ground turkey cooked with salt and pepper to taste

Fats: Avocado sliced on the side

Dairy: sprinkle .5 oz of Shredded Monterey jack on potatoes once cooked

Fruits: apple slices or 8oz apple juice

Vegetable: steamed broccoli

This meal included all the major food groups and is gluten free! Continue to follow this article thread for further recipes and helpful tips on gluten-free diet modifications. 

Holidays Around the Corner!

With the holiday season fast approaching (Halloween, Dia de Los Muertos, Thanksgiving, and other festivities) we wanted to provide a gluten-free candy list if you are trying to modify or limit gluten in your child’s diet. Again, we like to focus on what we can include (more than what we can’t) after all it is the holiday season. Check out the gluten-free candy list below: 

· Gimbal’s Fine Candy

· Hershey’s

· Jelly Belly

· Just Born

· Mars

· Nestle

· Necco

· PayDay Candy

· Reese’s

· See’s

· Smarties

· Snyder’s Lance

· Sour Patch

· Surf Sweets

· Tootsie Roll

· Welch’s

· Wrigley

Written By:

Jennifer Rodriguez, Director of Nutrition