Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free

There is a lot of information out there about the effects of diet on behavior and the ability to learn, especially for children with developmental disabilities.  Of course, it would be too easy if everyone was in agreement on the subject and families could decisively move forward based on solid research.  As it is, the scientific community and parents are divided on the issue and people are left to figure things out on their own.

I have been considering a gluten-free, dairy-free diet for Rex for quite some time.  I have thought about this idea with a lot of trepidation because Rex is a lover of all things carbs (read gluten) and many things dairy (yogurt, cheese, icecream, etc.).  In fact, these two food groups have been the staples of his daily meals since he refuses almost all meat along with almost all fresh fruit and vegetables.  How would I ever be able to keep him fed if I took away his favorites?

After some discussion, Craig and I decided to go all in and give the gluten-free, dairy-free diet a try for Rex for one week.  We knew that his nutritional intake already wasn't balanced, so we figured we could not make it worse.  I did some reading and then headed to Whole Foods to stock up on supplies for Rex for seven days, the first four of which he would be spending at home with us on break from school.

And so Rex ate:

12/29/12

Van’s Waffles with Earth Balance spread and maple syrup

Rudy’s gluten-free multi-grain bread with peanut butter and jelly

Roasted red potatoes and green beans, pureed with vegetable broth

12/30/12

Van’s Waffles with Earth Balance spread, banana slices, and maple syrup

Roasted almonds, lightly salted

Gluten-free Food For Life English muffin with vegan cream cheese (chive and garlic flavor)

Amande cherry-flavored almond yogurt

Baked sweet potato with Earth Balance spread and brown sugar

12/31/12

Rudy's bread, toasted, with Earth Balance spread and 4 oz homemade fresh fruit smoothie
Homemade dairy-free, gluten-free pancakes with applesauce and peanut butter
Amande peach-flavored almond yogurt
Banana and avocado, mashed
Kettle brand sea salt potato chips

01/01/13

Van's Blueberry Waffles with Earth Balance spread and maple syrup
Roasted almonds, lightly salted
Homemade gluten-free, dairy-free English muffin pizza
Amande coconut-flavored almond yogurt
Homemade gluten-free, dairy-free cornbread with Earth Balance spread

01/02/13

Rudy's bread, toasted, with Earth Balance Spread and cinnamon
Honey-nut Chex
Rudy's bread with vegan cream cheese, banana, applesauce, Amande cherry almond yogurt
Roasted almonds, lightly salted, GFDF chocolate chip cookies
Homemade pumpkin tomato soup with crushed tortilla chips

01/03/13

Van's Blueberry waffles with applesauce, maple syrup and Earth Balance spread
Rudy's bread with peanut butter and jelly and Kettle brand potato chips
Honey-nut Chex
Leftover pumpkin tomato soup with tortilla chips
Vanilla icecream made from almond milk

01/04/13

Rudy's bread, toasted, with Earth Balance spread and cinnamon
Honey-nut Chex
Rudy's bread with vegan cream cheese and applesauce
Roasted almonds and Kettle brand potato chips
Avocado and banana, mashed

We really did not expect to see improvements in Rex's behavior or focus during this week, but rather looked at it as an experiment to test if he would even be willing to eat such a restricted diet.  We were immensely surprised when within 24 hours, Rex seemed calmer and more easy-going (despite a double ear infection).  He responded better to directions, spent more time self-entertaining, and was more patient when learning.  For example, Rex got tall stacker pegs for Christmas and while I knew he could stack them from a fine motor perspective, he simply could not pay enough attention when we showed him how, so he was instantly frustrated when the pegs did not work for him.  Two days into the diet, I picked up two pegs, showed Rex how to connect them once, and he immediately proceeded to build a tower made of seven pegs.  He continued to play with it for about 30 minutes and every time the tower fell apart diligently put it back together, giggling throughout.

We were also surprised by the fact that Rex seemed to take to the new foods very easily.  He switched to the almond yogurt without even blinking (and oh boy was I ever worried about taking away his Stonyfield) and even ate foods he's never accepted before (green beans, Chex) as well as enjoyed foods again that he had turned down for months (sweet potatoes, soup).

Once Rex went back to school, we asked his therapists to pay special attention not only to his diet (they serve snacks at school), but also to his behavior.  Each day his report from school noted that he was in a great mood, laughing a lot, and very attentive for therapy.  He was more communicative in speech therapy than he had been in weeks and performed almost everything that was asked of him in OT without any help.

Of course, we realize that all of this could still be a complete coincidence, but we have decided to keep going with the diet for now.  It will be tough as it is expensive and the products are not easily available without making an hour round-trip to Whole Foods, not counting the time to actually shop.  We will also need to add a calcium and vitamin D supplement for Rex.  However, Rex's well-being is worth it and we are committed to doing what's best for him.