Overview of Special Diets – Handout

_____Gluten and Casein-Free (GFCF)

  • Removal of all casein (dairy) and gluten (i.e. wheat, barley, rye) containing foods.
  • Considered to be a starter diet for parents new to the biomedical approach to autism.
  • Doesn’t necessarily eliminate all foods that could cause problems, i.e. allergies (IgE), sensitivities (IgG), or chemical intolerances (i.e. phenols, salicylates).
  • Resource options:
  • Book - “Special Diets for Special Kids” by Lisa Lewis
  • Website -

_____Low Oxalate Diet (LOD)

  • Reduction of high (and many times moderate) oxalate foods
  • Considered to be a specific diet for individuals with elevated oxalates found through Organic Acids Testing, or clinical history of high oxalates, i.e. kidney stones.
  • Considered to be a special diet that can be used in addition to other dietary programs such as GFCF or Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD).
  • Resource:

_____Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD)

  • Removal of specific carbohydrate foods that encompass two sugar molecules (aka. Disaccharides) such as sucrose (found in many complex carbohydrates such as potatoes or refined sugars), maltose (found in cereal grains, pastas, etc.) and lactose (found in milk and milk products).
  • Specifically developed for people suffering with inflammatory bowel disease (Chron’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis), diverticulitis, irritable bowel, small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), and chronic diarrhea.
  • Main focus is to reduce opportunistic intestinal pathogens and allow for healing of the digestive system through elimination of inflammation.
  • A more advanced dietary program than GFCF
  • Resources:
  • Book – “Breaking the Vicious Cycle” by Elaine Gottschall
  • Main Website –
  • Main Website for Kids (including Autism) –
  • Additional Support Website –

_____Gut and Psychology Syndrome Diet (GAPS)

  • Specifically developed for individuals suffering from behavioral, mood, and cognitive issues whether or not they have digestive problems.
  • GAPS is a program heavily influence by SCD
  • Is considered a more comprehensive program than SCD as it incorporates lifestyle changes, along with detoxification remedies and basic supplements.
  • GAPS is an entire program, whereas SCD is strictly a diet.
  • Resources:
  • Book – “Gut and Psychology Syndrome” by Natasha Campbell-McBride, MD.
  • Website –

_____Feingold Diet

  • Elimination diet based on the removal of phenol and salicylate foods.
  • Considered an early dietary program for individuals with known or suspected intolerances to certain food chemicals.
  • Is not a treatment for food allergies (IgE), but instead a trial elimination to determine various food chemical sensitivities
  • Is commonly used to treat ADD/ADHD and issues that involve food chemical sensitivities, i.e. migraines, sleep issues, mental health disorders.
  • Resource:
  • Website –

_____Failsafe Diet

  • Elimination diet based on the removal of phenol, salicylate, amine, and glutamate based foods.
  • Also, focuses on removing various pharmaceutical drugs, as well as toiletries, cosmetics, scented products and perfumes that are known to cause chemical sensitivity behaviors and physical problems.
  • Is not a treatment for food allergies (IgE), but instead is a trial elimination to determine various food chemical sensitivities.
  • Is commonly used to treat ADD/ADHD and issues that involve food chemical sensitivities, i.e. migraines, sleep issues, mental health disorders.
  • A more complete program than the Feingold Diet
  • Resource:
  • Website –

_____Low FODMAP Diet

  • Diet that is low in fermentable, poorly absorbed carbs such as fructose, lactose and Fructooligosaccharides (FOS).
  • Stands for:
  • Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, AndPolyols.
  • Examples:
  • Fructose – found in fruit, honey, juices
  • Galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) – found in legumes such as chickpeas, kidney beans or baked beans.
  • Lactose – found in milk and milk products
  • Sugar polyols such as sorbitol and mannitol – found in some fruits and vegetables and as artificial sweeteners.
  • Fructans – found in wheat, rye, onions, garlic
  • Considered a diet for Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
  • Resources:

_____SIBO Specific Diet

  • Considered a primary and specific diet for SIBO
  • Significantly reduces the intake of polysaccharides, oligosaccharides and disaccharides (by eliminating all grains), starchy vegetables (i.e. potatoes, yams, squash), lactose (milk products), and sweeteners (other than honey and dextrose).
  • A combination diet of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) and FODMAPS.
  • Resources: