Bread/cakes, gluten maybe, make my DS crazy!? Am I alone in this?

[nut3lla]

My 3 year DS was an extremely easy baby, content, relaxed...until around 6 months when he turned into a bit of a crazy kid! A typical boy always on the go we thought. At times his behaviour was extremely challenging, biting, hitting other children. When he needed to run miles everyday, we thought he was energetic! We thought he was just 'lively' but have been extremely embarrassed by his behaviour at times. He once slapped a random child in a pushchair who got out the lift we were about to get in! Anyway to cut a long story short we recently went on holiday to Spain, while there he didn't eat any bread, cakes, biscuits etc & instead ate eggs, bacon, fruit, veg, meat & potatoes. He even ate chocolate (usually banned as I thought this was a trigger). His behaviour was amazingly different - he was so good, not aggressive at all in his voice or behaviour. Since then I've cut out all bread etc at home & he's been so good (he did have good periods before) but not hit anyone or had awful tantrums. Just wondered if this was something anyone else had experience of? I know I'm not imagining it! Tried a pancake last Friday & he was so naughty & crazy, running away in a busy shopping centre, screaming at me, I carried him back to the car nearly in tears! I don't think gluten makes him unwell - just crazy. Any advice gratefully received!

[ChickenMe]

Hi it certainly sounds like you should avoid gluten. You could get him tested but non coeliac gluten intolerance doesn't always show. It may seem daunting at first to remove gluten but eventually you just become more adventurous. It is in everything though! Marks Daily Apple is a good resource for the whole foods side of things-lots of ideas for yummy caveman type meals where gluten is not required at all. Also look out for a good range called Isabel's. Asda sell it and their pizza base mix is decent and not full of cr#p.
Btw did you know gluten is linked to autism in some studies? Not saying your son has it of course just that it's an interesting link and makes you wonder if it does affect some children's behaviour.

[MsRainbow]

My DCs are gluten free as they have coeliac disease. Whilst browsing online for gluten free recipes / crafts for children I have come across quite a few blogs / articles linking gluten with ADD/ADHD and parents saying how symptoms of these have reduced by following a gluten free diet. I don't have any experience myself but I'm sure if you look online you will find some information.

[nut3lla]

Thanks for the info. I'm a primary teacher, as well as a mum of 2 and I can say for certain he's not autistic. He's very sociable, funny & confident. I have asked myself this though & nursery staff & the educational psychologist I work with regularly but they agree he displays no signs of this at all. He does exhibit some ADHD symptoms at times, but will happily join in games, listen to stories & go whole days without being aggressive or destructive in his behaviour. So basically removing gluten seems to have been the answer all along. I can actually think of quite a few children I've taught over the years who also may have had this. But going gluten free is actually pretty difficult. It's a bit of a minefield & I'm making mistakes (crisps etc have gluten in - who knew!) but trying hard to incorporate it into everyday life. Would you recommend joining the coeliac association for example (I don't think he has this disease) to might make my life easier when shopping etc?