Customer Reviews

The Kid-Friendly ADHD and Autism Cookbook: The Ultimate Guide to the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet

5 star:		(53)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I am still a bit of a novice when it comes to cooking GFCF, we have only been following this diet for a few months now, but this book makes it easy to create meals and snacks that my children will eat. The Wonderful Waffles recipe is better that anything you will find in the freezer section of your local grocery store-GFCF or otherwise-and there are lots of tips & tricks to get more nutrients into your kids. Not only are the recipes good, the info presented on the diet is done in an easy-to-read format. It is all explained in great detail, how it works and why it works. Also, at the top of each recipe, there is a key that shows which allergens are present, a real time-saver for those of us dealing with multiple food sensitivities-you know at a glance. Overall, I am happy with my purchase, I would recommend it to others, especially if you are just starting out on the GFCF diet & need some guidance.

This is a great primer on the science behind the GFCF diet and several other alternative diets for kids on the spectrum. I learned a tremendous amount from it and even identified an enzyme deficiency in my own child because of it. However, the cookbook portion leaves a bit to be desired from my perspective. I was looking for something to help me with feeding a 2 1/2 year old and this is most definitely not geared towards toddlers. Perhaps it would be good for feeding a family with middle-schoolers or older, but for the little ones, there is surprisingly little. Additionally, some of the items that are labeled in it as "soy-free" call for items that have soy in them. I don't regret buying it because I'm sure someday I'll end up using the recipes, but I still have yet to find a toddler-friendly GFCF cookbook.

...but one of the cookie recipes called for Oat flour -- That's one of the forbidden, gluten-containing grains! Must be a typo.
Otherwise, this book is wonderful. Packed with the latest information, substitution rules, and a lot of recipes. The only recipe I've tried is Cinnamon Pancakes and they were fabulous. Although I'm a pretty good cook and can make up things pretty well, I've found that with gfcf baking it's best to follow a recipe and not improvise. With a lot of searching on the 'net you can find other recipes and information, but this book is really informative. And incidentally, the diet appears to be working -- my autistic son is feeling better and acting more like a normal 3-year-old after just 1 week, and I have to admit to feeling more clear-headed and attentive. Though it's a little tough getting started, it has been well worth the inconvenience. So if your child is ADHD or autistic, get this book, and if possible, transition your whole family to the diet. It can't hurt and is very likely to help.

My son has ADHD and after a nightmare of a year on medication we vowed never to go down that road again. I started researching alternative and natural remedies to cure ADHD. I found a doctor who specialized in ADHD and autism. This doctor ordered food allergy tests for my son. Low and behold, my son is allergic to about 15 different foods including wheat, dairy, soy, milk, eggs, nuts and others.

Distraught and overwhelmed, this is the first book (of many - most of which I returned) that I ordered.

It has been a real eye-opener. I can't even go into all of the topics the book covers.

I have made three or four of the recipes so far and they've all been great. Last night I made Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread and WOW, it is really good! Some recipes I have to substitute ingredients because of the severity of my sons allergies (as I did in the Pumpkin Bread), but I did so without affecting the end result.

It's scary and intimidating to suddenly change your life style - especially in the kitchen. I was never much of a cook before and now I cook 3-4 meals a day from scratch! This book is a great resource for those who are timid about trying this new approach to cooking.

BTW - I've already noticed improvement in my son's behavior. We've been on this ADHD diet for about six weeks. It's worth it!

If there is any person in your household with autism, then it's time to make this book one of your best friends. Be sure to read Bette Hagman's stellar collection of gluten/casein free cookbooks as well as she is the top contender when it comes to providing information about keeping a GF/CF kitchen.

This is an excellent book that provides good information on preparing GFCF recipes and it is clearly written and very easy to follow. You get a lot of tips on how to provide nutrious snacks and meals. Good explanations about food and the recipes and the rationale for keeping a GFCF regimen are also explained. Readers get clear explanations of allergens and how to ward them off. You also get foods you will enjoy.

Again, be sure to make this book one of your best friends and it can rightfully take its place among other highly revered and happily used books about enjoying a GFCF lifestyle. Kudos to this author!

Dana has written the most sensitive book on this subject I've ever seen, and I've read them all! Most cookbooks on this subject say they are gluten-free and simply change the grain from wheat to some other grass. They do not admit that ALL grasses contain gluten, including cane. Dana does and she works around it. Many authors simply switch from dairy to soy drink products, Dana describes why soy is dangerous for small children due to the American genetic hybridization programs and how it causes the users' hormones to be thrown out of balance. Dana also addresses the salicylate problem (or the Fiengold diet) which most ASD cookbooks ignore. Dana labels each recipe individually thereby identifying what your child may be sensitive to. She also addresses the issue of the lack of amino acids and provides holistic natural ways to boost you childs amino acid levels. You can heal your child holistically using this book.

I love this book, not only because the recipes are great and easy to follow, but it gives you the reasons why certain foods are helpful and healthy. That has helped me to spin-off my own recipes and make me think that I know how to cook again. My whole family sat down to a meal together (including one daughter with PDD, one with ADHD and a French gourmet husband) and we all ate virtually the same thing for the first time in five years. Buy the book.

If you are as confused and intimidated as I was at the thought of a GFCF diet for your autistic child then this is the book for you. This book is set up in a simple format much like a text book. The layout of the book makes it easier to understand not only the why's of the diet but the how's as well. The menu portion not only gives delicious recipes for meals and snacks but also teaches you how to make your own milk and has a section for substitutes needed to ease your child onto the diet. Prior to reading this book, I thought this diet would be impossible due to the fact that I live in a very rural area of Oklahoma and do not have access to health food stores like you would in most areas of the country. I am happy to say that because of this book we are happily beginning the GFCF diet with our 3 yr old son and are already seeing improvement. One big fat THANK YOU to the authors for their hard work!

This is a wonderful book that is easy to read, easy to understand and non-intimidating. I'm fairly new to the GFCF diet, but this book has truly made things go a lot smoother. The ideas to get vegetables, protein, etc. into your picky eater are great. I thought I had tried it all, but the authors' tips are working. We've tried about 6 of the recipes so far and they ALL have been wonderful. I highly recommend this book to those just starting the diet, or those who want some realistic tips and yummy recipes.

This book really helped me to slowly implement this diet change with recipes that actually taste good to all of my kids!! And,my 9-year old autistic son appears more focused, attentive and responds on topic to multiple questions.