Small bakery serves delectable gluten-free goods for autistic community

While on a recent field trip with my preschool-aged daughter, Rosie, I discovered a unique bakery in Columbus that specializes in delicious, gluten-free baked goods that taste like they’re not missing a thing. In fact, my savory slice of cheese pizza tasted more wholesome than typical take-out pizza.

Food for Good Thought, 4185 N. High St., offers take-and-bake pizzas, bread, muffins, brownies and cupcakes for customers with special dietary needs. Here, people with sensitive digestive systems, such as those with celiac disease, can order pies and cakes, like a flourless chocolate cake with whipped-cream frosting, and not forgo the flavor.

Owner Audrey Todd also teaches classes to families on how make the gluten-free baked goods that are sold in her small house-turned-business.

Rosie and her classmates went there to watch dough turn in an industrial mixer and scoop batter into muffin tins. They also gobbled down cheese and pepperoni pizza and decorated and devoured chocolate-chip cupcakes.

Gluten, we learned, is a protein found in such grains as wheat, barley and rye. It can cause inflammation in the small intestines of some people, so eating a gluten-free diet controls symptoms and prevents complications. Goods in Todd’s bakery are made with gluten-free flour.

Todd, a clinical psychologist, personally understands the impact of a gluten-free diet. Her 7-year-old son, Liam, has autism and also has trouble digesting certain foods. By putting him on a gluten-free diet, Todd discovered that not only did Liam’s abdominal pain and diarrhea go away, but so did some of his neurological behaviors associated with autism.

Todd founded Food for Good Thought in 2008 in honor of her son and others like him who could benefit from gluten-free products. She has 11 employees, seven of whom are autistic.

“Our aim is to provide prepared gluten-free foods to our community, as well as support employment and vocational training for a wide range of individuals living with autism,” Todd said.

She’s also providing exceptionally tasty homemade baked goods. And that’s good for the community, too.

Food for Good Thought offers field trips to school-aged children. Hours are noon-4 p.m., Thursday through Sunday. For more information, visit foodforgoodthought.com or call 614-447-0424.