Extra costs for GF/CF Diet? - Autism Spectrum Message Board

SHReed · 09-17-2004, 12:06 PM

I could use some input from those of you who have started your children on the GF/CF Diet. How much would you estimate has it added to your monthly grocery bill on the average? I know this may be difficult to estimate, but even ballpark figures would help.

Also, a question for those of you who are seeing DAN doctors. Can you give me some idea of their fees (per hour, per visit, etc.?)

The reason I'm trying to get these numbers is I'm going to set aside a portion of our profits from selling a rental property and put them into a fund to be used specifically for my son's treatment for the next year or two, including food for the special diet and DAN doctor visits. Since these costs are not covered by insurance, our budget won't allow for them right now and I want to try as many different treatment options as I can to see what works. He is receiving speech therapy and occupational therapy through the school system (he's in kindergarten) and I know that the school is doing the best it can, but I feel that there is more help out there for him. He is high-functioning and we see so much potential and intelligence in him, and we want to do everything we can to help him reach his potential.

ang64063 · 09-17-2004, 12:55 PM

It really depends on how much cooking you want to do. I mean you can spend the $3-$5 for bread or do you want to bake it. I personally spend about $30-$50 a month on certain foods (doughnuts, soy milk, fudgecicles, hamburger buns, bread, soy yogurt, cereal, pasta, cheese, frozen waffles, taco and chili seasoning, pizza crusts, cereal bars, flour, egg replacers, etc), but note that these are more luxury foods than necessities (except the milk). I would almost say 95% of the foods that you would use are foods that are found on any normal grocery store shelf. I mean you can eat regular plain potato chips, corn chips, prepared Jell-o Gelatin cups, certain cereals, certain stick and tub butters, fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh meats and seafood (be careful because it can contain mercury), pizza sauce, salsa, corn taco shells, some spaghetti sauces, rice, potato flakes, brand name peanut butter, jelly, soda pop, certain popcicles, certain candies, etc.

Some of the things you should avoid is most soups, Sloppy Joe mixes (unless made from scratch) and tuna.

memehegan · 09-17-2004, 07:42 PM

Well if you purchase a milk substitute it means $2-$3 a quart as apposed to a gallon. A pound of pasta at the health food store runs $7 these days though one of my grocery stores carries a rice pasta in its asian food section. It depends on your son- I spent 50 a week just on my sons foods- every thing is home made - no more fast foods stuff- currently my son is not on the diet- but I expect after a visit to a specialist in october that he will be put back on it - we are just waiting so that the next set of tests is accurate- you cant get a true test if your already on the diet- and for a high functioning brilliant teenager it (the diet) is as emotionally traumatic as actually having aspbergers! I had to make homemade vanilla and ketchup-my son was also intollerant of corn products and sodium nitrates, eggs, soy and chocolate so that makes it even more expensive for us. -meme

ang64063 · 09-17-2004, 10:24 PM

I just wanted to say that spending $2-$3 for a quart of milk is not to terribly outragous when on this diet. I personnally can buy a 32oz carton of store brand soy milk for .99 and it comes in vanilla, original, and chocolate flavors. I do however splurge for brand name soy milk when I have a coupon or it is on sale for a really good price.

Another good thing about soy milk is that it does not go bad as fast as regular milk. And also do not confuse Lactose Free Milk with Casein Free Milk. The Lactose Free Milk is simply free of lactose, it still has other dairy products in it. The same goes for non-dairy whipped cream, it's not safe, but there are other brands that are and they taste almost as good.