After reading these lists, some families decide that the gluten- and casein-free diet is too overwhelming to go forward. Many others are ready to jump right into the full diet, and still others take their time easing into this lifestyle change. The important thing is to recognize that, despite the lifestyle changes required to be successful with this diet, it really can be done!

It is important to plan out the start of this diet. You do not have to start it immediately after deciding that this might be something to try with your family. Gather books on the diet, build some ideas for recipes, join support groups in your area or find online support groups to help encourage you in this endeavor. Prepare yourself for success.

How to Get Started

There is no right or wrong way to go about this: What works for your family is the correct way to enter the diet. Each family has a different personality, and they know what will work for them. Some people jump right in without a transition period. Others prefer a more gradual transition to the diet and start with small changes, building up to the full diet.

If a slower transition is wanted, one way to accomplish this is to first start with eliminating casein from your family's diet. Go to the grocery store and purchase different casein-free products. Try some new recipes that are casein-free. Gather some casein-free alternatives to milk and begin to try them out to see which milk substitutes your child and family accepts and enjoys.

Realize that eliminating the gluten and casein from your diet will change the texture of some of your favorite foods. Look to expand into new favorite foods rather than try to recreate gluten- and casein-free versions of your favorite foods.

After you have been successful at eliminating casein, venture into the full gluten- and casein-free diet. Some people choose to start by changing one meal, for example, breakfast. Try a week's worth of breakfasts that are gluten- and casein-free. Others choose to use the full diet on certain days of the week and not on others.

Again, there is no right or wrong way to make these transitions. It is an individual decision. The goal is to slowly build up your options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks that are all gluten- and casein-free.