Best-Selling Gluten-Free Casein-Free (GFCF) Diet and Allergy-Based Cookbooks

Maintaining his special diet is very difficult, but not nearly as hard as living with a severely autistic child.
—Mother of a recovering autistic son

What is Gluten and Casein Free Diet?

A gluten-free casein-free diet (GFCF diet) or gluten-free dairy-free diet (GFDF diet) eliminates dietary intake of the naturally occurring proteins gluten (found in all products containing wheat, barley, rye, and commercially available oats), and casein (found most often in milk and dairy products) from a person's diet. Many gluten-free breads, pastas, and snacks are available commercially. Gluten-free cookbooks have been available for decades.

Casein is found in dairy products such as milk, butter or cheese, but is also present in smaller amounts in many substitute dairy products such as vegetarian cheese substitutes and whipped cream topping, which use casein to provide texture. Although advocates of the GFCF diet often recommend total elimination of dairy from the diet, whey protein is a different milk protein from casein.

Intake of gluten or casein can lead to food reactions in some people. Food reactions include food allergies, food sensitivities, and food intolerances, and they are not the same. The reactions that can cause ADHD or autism symptoms are food sensitivities and intolerances.

One of the most visible advocates for the GFCF/GFDF diet is the Autism Research Institute (ARI wiki page). The ARI recommends the GFCF/GFDF diet as a treatment for autism and related conditions. The organization believes that, "Dietary intervention is a cornerstone of an evidence-based medical approach, and there is convincing empirical evidence that special diets help many with autism." 

What is the Science Behind the GFCF Diet?

The possibility of a relationship between autism and the consumption of gluten and casein was first articulated by Kalle Reichelt in 1991. Based on studies showing correlation between autism, schizophrenia, and increased urinary peptide levels, Reichelt hypothesized that some of these peptides may have an opiate effect. This led to the development of the Opioid excess theory, expounded by Paul Shattock and others, which speculates that peptides with opioid activity cross into the bloodstream from the lumen of the intestine, and then into the brain. These peptides were speculated to arise from incomplete digestion of certain foods, in particular gluten from wheat and certain other cereals and from casein from milk and dairy produce. Further work confirmed opioid peptides such as casomorphines (from casein) and gluten exorphines and gliadorphin (from gluten) as possible suspects, due to their chemical similarity to opiates.

Support for the Opioid Theory

According to the research of Kalle Reichelt, M.D.:

a) Food-source opioids have been reported in the cerebrospinal fluid, breast milk, blood, and urine, particularly in patients with autism, depression, and schizophrenia.

b) Addictive behaviors are present when on glutens and casein, and withdrawal symptoms can occur with removal.

c) Opioids decrease in the urine of those on a GFCF diet.

d) For those with autism, as with morphine users, their pupils are small while “under the influence” and large when going through a period of abstinence.

e) Constipation, self-absorption, and insensitivity to pain are markers for opiate use and autism.

Reichelt hypothesized that long-term exposure to these opiate peptides may have effects on brain maturation and contribute to social awkwardness and isolation. On this basis, Reichelt and others have proposed a gluten-free casein-free (GFCF) diet for sufferers of autism to minimize the buildup of opiate peptides. Reichelt has also published a number of trials and reviews concluding that this diet is effective. 

Are There Any Helpful Tests to Do Before Starting the Diet?

Based on medical and nutrition expert's opinion that there are two types of tests that are often helpful to have at the beginning of this process:

a) For children with ADHD or autism: Blood testing for a disorder known as celiac disease.

b) For children with autism: Urine testing for opiate peptide residues caused by gluten, casein, and soy.

Lab tests provide important information regarding food reactions; however, the gold standard is still an elimination trial called “trial and response.”


--- The selected cookbooks on the list are best-sellers and have high ratings on Amazon.com. The cookbooks have recipes that work the first time and every time; it is as simple as that. It will keep you cooking for a long time--and guarantees flawless results. These are the recipes that shall make you to returns to it repeatedly because they are accessible, good for the body, and just plain scrumptious.

This is the complete directory of most popular gluten-free casein-free (GFCF) diet and allergy-based cookbooks ever. 


1) Danielle Walker's Against All Grain: Meals Made Simple: Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, and Paleo Recipes to Make Anytime

2) Bestseller: Against All Grain: Delectable Paleo Recipes to Eat Well & Feel Great

3) The How Can It Be Gluten-Free Cookbook Volume 2

4) The How Can It Be Gluten Free Cookbook

5) The Everything Gluten-Free Slow Cooker Cookbook: Includes Butternut Squash with Walnuts and Vanilla, Peruvian Roast Chicken with Red Potatoes, Lamb ... Pumpkin Spice Lattes...and hundreds more!

6) Gluten-Free on a Shoestring: 125 Easy Recipes for Eating Well on the Cheap

7) The Gluten-Free Bible

8) Gluten Free Cookbook for Busy People on a Budget: 50 Delicious 30-Minutes-or-Less Recipes for Weight Loss, Energy & Optimum Health (Your Guide to Optimum Health) (Volume 1)

9) The Gluten-Free Almond Flour Cookbook

10) The Healthy Gluten-Free Life: 200 Delicious Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free and Egg-Free Recipes!

11) 125 Best Gluten-Free Bread Machine Recipes

12) Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living

13) The Healthy Gluten-Free Life: 200 Delicious Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free and Egg-Free Recipes!

14) Gluten-Free on a Shoestring Bakes Bread: (Biscuits, Bagels, Buns, and More)

15) Everyday Grain-Free Baking: Over 100 Recipes for Deliciously Easy Grain-Free and Gluten-Free Baking

16) Gluten-Free Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day: The Baking Revolution Continues with 90 New, Delicious and Easy Recipes Made with Gluten-Free Flours

17) Cooking Light Gluten-Free Baking: Delectable From-Scratch Sweet and Savory Treats

18) The Allergy-Free Pantry: Make Your Own Staples, Snacks, and More Without Wheat, Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Soy or Nuts

19) Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living

20) The Beginner's Ultimate Autism Diet Cookbook: Gluten-Free Casein-Free Recipes for Autistic Children and Their Families

21) The Gluten Free Casein Free Soy Free Cookbook

22) The Super Allergy Girl Cookbook; Gluten-free Casein-free Nut-free

23) Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free Cookbook for Kids and Busy Adults, Second Edition

24) The Spunky Coconut Cookbook: Gluten Free, Casein Free, Sugar Free

25) No Gluten, No Dairy, No Problem!: Your Success Guide to the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet

26) Everyday Classics: Essential Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free and Egg-Free Recipes

27) Autism Cookbook: 101 Gluten-Free and Allergen-Free Recipes

28) Whole Food Dump Dinners: 30 Day Food Fix - Clean Eating With One Pot (Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Grain Free, Legume Free)

29) Gluten-Free & Vegan for the Whole Family (EBK): Nutritious Plant-Based Meals and Snacks Everyone Will Love

30) Great Gluten-Free Vegan Eats From Around the World: Fantastic, Allergy-Free Ethnic Recipes

31) Très Green, Très Clean, Très Chic: Eat (and Live!) the New French Way with Plant-Based, Gluten-Free Recipes for Every Season

32) #1 Best Sellerin Baby Food Cooking: The Baby and Toddler Cookbook: Fresh, Homemade Foods for a Healthy Start

Dumke, Nicolette

33) The Ultimate Food Allergy Cookbook and Survival Guide: How to Cook with Ease for Food Allergies and Recover Good Health

34) Allergy Cooking with Ease: The No Wheat, Milk, Eggs, Corn, and Soy Cookbook

35) Easy Bread making for Special Diets: Use Your Bread Machine, Food Processor, Mixer, or Tortilla Maker to Make the Bread YOU Need Quickly and Easily

Fenster, Carol, Ph.D.

36) 125 Gluten-Free Vegetarian Recipes: Quick and Delicious Mouthwatering Dishes for the Healthy Cook

37) 100 Best Quick Gluten-Free Recipes (100 Best Recipes) 

38) Cooking Free: 200 Flavorful Recipes for People with Food Allergies and Multiple Food Sensitivities

39) Special Diet Celebrations: no wheat, gluten, dairy, or eggs 

40) Special Diet Solutions: Healthy Cooking Without Wheat, Gluten, Dairy, Eggs, Yeast, or Refined Sugar

41) Gluten-Free Quick & Easy: From Prep to Plate Without the Fuss - 200+ Recipes for People with Food Sensitivities

42) 1,000 Gluten-Free Recipes (1,000 Recipes)

Hagman, Bette

43) The Gluten-Free Gourmet: Living Well without Wheat, Revised Edition

44) The Gluten-Free Gourmet Bakes Bread: More Than 200 Wheat-Free Recipes

45) The Gluten-Free Gourmet Cooks Fast and Healthy: Wheat-Free and Gluten-Free with Less Fuss and Less Fat

46) The Gluten-Free Gourmet Cooks Comfort Foods: Creating Old Favorites with the New Flours

47) The Gluten-free Gourmet Makes Dessert: More Than 200 Wheat-free Recipes for Cakes, Cookies, Pies and Other Sweets

48) Everyday Gluten Free Cooking: Living Well without Wheat

49) More from the Gluten-free Gourmet: Delicious Dining Without Wheat

Hammond, Leslie and Rominger, Marie

50) The Kid-Friendly Food Allergy Cookbook: More Than 150 Recipes That Are Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Egg-Free, and Low in Sugar

Hills, Hilda

51) Good Food, Milk Free, Grain Free

Jackson, Luke

52) A User Guide to the GF/CF Diet for Autism, Asperger Syndrome and ADHD

Korn, Danna

53) Wheat-Free, Worry-Free: The Art of Happy, Healthy, Gluten-Free Living

Kruszka, Bonnie

54) Eating Gluten-Free with Emily: A Story for Children with Celiac Disease

Lewis, Lisa

55) Special Diets for Special Kids: Understanding and Implementing a Gluten and Casein Free Diet to Aid in the Treatment of Autism and Related Developmental Disorders

56) Special Diets for Special Kids, Two: New! More Great Tasting Recipes & Tips for Implementing Special Diets to Aid in the Treatment of Autism and Related Developmental Disorders

57) Special Diets for Special Kids, Volumes 1 and 2 Combined: Over 200 REVISED and NEW gluten-free casein-free recipes, plus research on the positive ... ADHD, allergies, celiac disease, and more!

Matthews, Julie

58) Cooking to Heal 

Prasad, Ramen

59) #1 Best Seller in Cystic Fibrosis: Recipes for the Specific Carbohydrate Diet: The Grain-Free, Lactose-Free, Sugar-Free Solution to IBD, Celiac Disease, Autism, Cystic Fibrosis, and Other Health Conditions (Healthy Living Cookbooks)

Robertson, Robin

60) 366 Simply Delicious Dairy-Free Recipes

Segersten, Alissa and Malterre, Tom

61) #1 Best Seller in Low Cholesterol Cooking: The Whole Life Nutrition Cookbook: Over 300 Delicious Whole Foods Recipes, Including Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soy-Free, and Egg-Free Dishes

Semon, Bruce and Kornblum, Lori

62) Feast Without Yeast: 4 Stages to Better Healthy

Vess, Sueson

63) Special Eats: Simple, Delicious Solutions for Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Cooking


OTHER COOKBOOKS WITH EASY-TO-ADAPT RECIPES

Barnes, Lisa

64) The Petit Appetit Cookbook: Easy, Organic Recipes to Nurture Your Baby and Toddler

Fallon, Sally, and Enig, Mary

65) Nourishing Traditions: The Cookbook that Challenges Politically Correct Nutrition and the Diet Dictocrats

Katzen, Mollie

66) Salad People and More Real Recipes: A New Cookbook for Preschoolers and Up

Olson, Cathe

67) Simply Natural Baby Food: Easy Recipes for Delicious Meals Your Infant and Toddler Will Love

Vann, Lizzie

68) Organic Baby & Toddler Cookbook

Yaron, Ruth

69) Super Baby Food

Young, Nicole

70) Blender Baby Food: Over 175 Recipes for Healthy Homemade Meals



Reference:

Compart, Pamela, M. D., and Dana Laake, MS, LDN. 2009. The Kid-Friendly ADHD & Autism Cookbook, Updated and Revised: The Ultimate Guide to the Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet. Winds Press. ISBN-10: 159233394X

Kaskel, Larry, M.D. and Michael Kaskel R.N. 2014. Dr. Kaskel's Living in Wellness, Volume One: Let Food Be Thy Medicine. Lulu Publishing Services. ISBN-10: 1483407144

Wahls, Terry, M.D. and Eve Adamson. 2014. The Wahls Protocol: A Radical New Way to Treat All Chronic Autoimmune Conditions Using Paleo Principles. Avery. ISBN-10: 1583335544



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