Happy Birthday, Michele!

So, you don't have to substitute breads if you're going down the route of GFCF diet. Just stick to fresh foods. Fresh fruits, fresh veggies, and meats. Avoid chicken nuggets, or any breaded meats. While I ain't anti-GFCF and I am not really for the diet personally - the diet itself can be extremely healthy, but you're also looking at removing all dairy products and that is where it gets tricky - because face it, we use milk and cheese so often and don't even realize it. Not that milk is especially good for us anyhow, because it's not.

Make sure that you're getting your daughter supplements she needs to make up for the fact she won't have any gluten products and dairy products. Make sure she's getting some sort of probiotic - they have some great children's chewable ones. And make sure you keep her pediatrician up to date so they can make sure she's getting enough of what she needs; folate, B6 & B12, vitamin D, calcium and iron.

But you really don't need to spend hundreds every month on "gluten free bread"... that stuff is disgusting anyhow. Just eat healthy foods, cook in healthy ways. A wonderful simple example of a GFCF meal for your daughter without spending big money would be; steamed carrots, apple slices and grilled/baked (non-breaded, lightly seasoned) chicken breast with a 100% fruit juice or even calcium & vitamin D enriched Orange juice to combat the lack of calcium/Vit D in her diet. But double check that the orange juice is gluten free. Anything that is 100% juice does not contain gluten, but other juices may.

So key to remember: Fruits and Vegetables do not contain gluten. Meat does not contain gluten. Beans, legumes and nuts are all gluten free as well if she's willing to eat them. You can also use white rice, potatoes, and quinoa. So if she likes french fries, make them at home, as most store-bought and fast-food places french fries contain gluten.

Also, to find vitamins/supplements, you may want to check a health store, like VitaminShoppe, because sometimes gluten is used to make the capsules or the "filler" part of the pill. It will be labeled as "Wheat Starch" in the ingredients. you can use this URL to double check the ingredients of pills: https://pillbox.nlm.nih.gov/pillimage/search.php

But if you're buying processed, pre-packed foods you're more likely to run into gluten as it's used for many reasons, flavoring, coloring, etc. So just stick to the basics.

Also here is a list of foods/items you may not even consider thinking contain gluten; http://www.drperlmutter.com/eat/foods-that-cont...

And tuna contains casein, as well as dairy-free cheeses and processed meats... just an FYI.

Good question! I think the major problem is the American diet itself because there are PLENTY of foods that are naturally GFCFSF but we are all accustomed to eating processed food and snacks so when you replace your gluten filled snacks and food with GFCFSF ones, it can get VERY expensive! The idea is to get back to eating real food and not processed food. Buy some must needed GFCFSF staples (i.e. bread) but trying to incorporate real food as much as possible is always the goal.

Just keep in mind that not all gluten free products are also casein free. Most gluten free products are made for people with celiac disease in mind, and they are mostly able to consume casein without a problem. So if you plan to purchase a gluten free pizza, you're likely going to have casein with that pizza as both processed meats and cheeses (or even regular cheese) is involved in the toppings and milk is likely used in the crust.

Let the process take time. Don't restrict her diet immediately, phase things out and phase new things in. I, personally, suggest taking it slowly. First start by finding gluten free foods that she enjoys, so try a variety of fruits and vegetables. Try things you wouldn't have thought of trying before... she may surprise you. My son LOVES brussel sprouts, and most kids don't like them at all. It could take you up to a month to get her into it and that's ok. Any new diet is a big change on a person of any age. And it needs to be approached with love and understanding and most importantly patience.

Once you've established new foods she enjoys, you can begin using them to replace gluten and casein products. It will take you a little longer than immediately ridding her diet of G&C but it will be easier on both of you. Give the diet at least 6 months once you've reached the point where her diet has no gluten and casein in it. Some people claim to see immediate results and others don't start seeing a difference for 6 weeks to a few months. The diet did not help any of my or my sons "autism symptoms" but it was a much healthier diet. My son could never really get into the diet enough, either. He ate very little for a very long time (we went 7 months before I called it quits) and there was no improvement with behavior, eye contact, hyper activity or sleep. But others have seen amazing improvements in their children.

Thanks these are great ideas!

Have you tried making your own gluten free chicken nuggets? I used a rice flour and cut up chicken. My daughter actually liked those better than any store bought.