As I mentioned in my cookbook review of Getting Your Kid on a Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet, I have many friends who face this challenge for their families. Whether your particular concern includes ADHD or Autism or perhaps just a milk allergy or celiac disease, this is a great book to help you learn more about how the diet can affect any of these conditions.
This book is well-organized and includes chapters on the science behind how diet relates to autism and ADHD (and a few others mentioned in this book). It explains why the authors, a medical doctor and a registered dietitian, believe it works. One chapter, “The Culprits”, talks about where to find the problem foods and how to avoid them. Another chapter talks about how to get started and whether a gradual approach or “cold turkey” is right for you. A large recipe section gives many options for whipping up all kinds of meals for your child. Several of them do call for prepared GFCF products (such as tapioca starch or xanthum gum) but there are many others that use commonly found ingredients. And I have discovered that more and more common chain grocery stores are carrying these ingredients now…there’s not necessarily a need any more to seek out the natural food store.
What I especially like is the Resource section at the end of the book. The authors have included many listings for other GFCF cookbooks and books on Autism and ADHD; magazines and newsletters you can subscribe to; organizations and online information for support and more learning; and product/ingredient resources. The only downside is that there could probably be a few more recipes that have toddler appeal but there are several basics that should work too.
I highly recommend this book to anyone that faces the challenge of a GFCF diet for themselves or their children!
