The BRAT diet is an acronym which stands for Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast. This diet can help with short-term management of diarrhea. The BRAT diet is low in nutrients and fiber and shouldn’t be used long term.

The Casein-Free Diet is a common diet used for individuals with autism. It involves consuming foods free of the protein, casein, found in most mammal milks.

Following a dye-free diet is simply the removal of all artificial food dyes from the diet and either replacing them with natural food colorings or avoiding all food colorings altogether through the consumption of whole foods.

The Failsafe diet removes man-made and natural flavors, colors, and preservatives found in foods. Most of these compounds are known in chemistry as phenols, which can be problematic for children with autism.

The Feingold diet, created by Ben F. Feingold, M.D., is a diet that removes certain foods that are high in salicylates as well as artificial additives like food dyes, flavorings & fragrances, artificial sweeteners and preservatives. The Feingold diet is used primarily as a natural treatment for hyperactivity (ADHD), asthma, eczema or migraines.

The GAPS Diet is an elimination diet claimed to help with conditions affecting the brain, such as autism and ADHD.

The Gluten-Free Diet is one of the most popular diets used in autism. It involves consuming foods free of the protein, gluten, found in certain grains.

The gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet is one of the most common diets used for individuals with autism. The research is conflicting about whether or not this diet is beneficial. This diet can be life-changing for many families, but others may not notice benefits.

A grain-free diet is one in which grains are eliminated. Grains are seeds or fruits of cereal crops such as wheat, rice, corn and oats. While there is no research on the benefit of grain-free diets in children on the autism spectrum, those who are sensitive to grains may benefit greatly.

The Ketogenic Diet is a high fat, moderate protein, low carbohydrate diet that was developed for the treatment of pediatric epilepsy in 1920. It has recently emerged as a potential treatment for autism and may offer improvements to cognition, social skills and some behaviors. [1]

FODMAPs are a group of short chain carbohydrates (aka sugars) that aren’t fully digested or absorbed in our intestines. These sugars are fermented by the bacteria in the GI tract and gas is produced, which can cause pain and bloating.

Someone with histamine intolerance may benefit from a low histamine diet. Consuming foods that are low in histamine helps to reduce the overall “load” of histamine in the body and may alleviate symptoms.

A low oxalate diet is one in which foods that contain high levels of oxalates are restricted. It is thought that individuals with autism may be susceptible to oxalate issues because they may have imbalanced intestinal bacteria and a lack of probiotic strains that break down oxalates. A low oxalate diet can improve mineral absorption and the symptoms associated with oxalate overload.

A low-salicylate diet is one in which salicylates are not consumed in order to avoid the symptoms believed to be associated with their consumption. Individuals can have a sensitivity to salicylates and this sensitivity can manifest through skin, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and nervous system issues. Some children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have been shown to have issues breaking down salicylates and therefore may benefit from this diet.

While not quite a diet, the Nemechek Protocol was designed for children with autism, developmental disorders, sensory processing disorder, apraxia, and ADHD. The protocol combats inflammation, SIBO, and high propionic acid by supplementing with fish oil, extra virgin olive oil, and the prebiotic, inulin, in addition to lifestyle changes. Dr. Nemechek claims the protocol can repair brain function, reverse bacterial overgrowth, restore white blood cell function, and improve symptoms associated with Autism.

The Reduced Excitatory Inflammatory Diet (REID) is a diet and lifestyle focused on balancing neurotransmitters and reducing inflammation by following a whole food diet and avoiding foods that include glutamate, which can be excitatory and inflammatory.

The Specific Carbohydrate Diet is a diet where certain carbohydrates are restricted because they are difficult to digest for some people. The idea is that the incomplete breakdown of these feeds harmful bacteria in our intestines causing them to overgrow and potentially cause pain, bloating, gas, inflammation, diarrhea, and constipation. Removal of these carbohydrates can help restore beneficial gut bacteria balance.

The vegetarian diet involves avoiding eating meat, poultry, and fish. Individuals may choose to follow this diet for ethical, environmental, religious, or health reasons. While a well-rounded and well-planned vegetarian diet may have health benefits, this diet could also pose health risks including nutritional deficiencies, especially important nutrients for children on the spectrum if not followed correctly.