Gluten-free, casein-free diet

A Gluten-Free and Casein-Free (GFCF) diet is a restrictive regimen that eliminates dietary intake of the naturally occurring proteins gluten and casein. Gluten is found in wheat, barley, rye, and any foods made with these grains. Casein is found in milk and milk products, including cheese and butter.

Here's a brief overview of each component:

1. Gluten-Free: This part of the diet involves avoiding all foods that contain gluten. This includes most bread, pasta, and cereal, along with any foods that may contain gluten as a hidden ingredient, such as sauces, processed meats, and even some types of soy sauce.

2. Casein-Free: This component involves avoiding all dairy products, as they contain casein. This includes milk, cheese, yogurt, butter, and ice cream, as well as any foods cooked with these ingredients.

The GFCF diet is often used by individuals who have celiac disease, non-celiac gluten sensitivity, or a milk allergy, all of whom experience adverse reactions to these proteins. However, this diet has also been proposed as a potential treatment for autism spectrum disorders. The theory is that children with autism may have an allergy or high sensitivity to foods containing gluten or casein, and that these proteins may exacerbate autistic symptoms.