Zeeshan Haider Introduction
Nutrition for Autistic Children: Achieving an ideal diet involves striking a balance and ensuring a rich intake of essential nutrients. However, for individuals on the autism spectrum, this can pose challenges due to prevalent digestive and feeding-related issues.
Many individuals with autism exhibit deficiencies in specific nutrients, making it crucial to curate a food list tailored to their needs. Incorporating fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, eggs, and lean meats can contribute positively to this specialized food list.
Autistic children may experience gastrointestinal issues triggered by certain foods. In such cases, implementing a specialized diet, such as a gluten-free/casein-free or ketogenic diet, could prove beneficial.
Collaboration with a pediatrician and potentially a nutritionist is vital to expand the dietary options for autistic children.
Overcoming Food Challenges
Inadequate nutrition is a common concern for children with autism, often stemming from food avoidances and aversions.
Insufficient nutrition heightens the risk of chronic illnesses in later life, such as diabetes and heart disease. Additionally, children with poor diets are more prone to obesity, associated with various chronic conditions.
Autistic children often exhibit low levels of calcium and protein, impacting crucial aspects of development like brain development, bone growth, and muscle strength. These deficiencies can correlate with issues in cognition, balance, physical strength, and overall physical development.
Feeding challenges pose a significant issue for autistic children, and the consequences can be severe if nutritional deficiencies persist. Parents can employ various strategies, often involving doctors and therapists, to encourage a more diverse diet for their children.
Autism and Dietary Struggles
Understanding the link between autism and dietary struggles is crucial. Individuals on the autism spectrum may manifest feeding problems due to the developmental nature of their condition. These may include:
- Rituals around eating.
- Pocketing food in cheeks or sucking on food instead of chewing.
- Strong preferences or aversions to certain foods.
Autistic individuals are at a higher risk of gastrointestinal problems, leading to food avoidance and sensory-related issues.
Parents may restrict their child’s diet to familiar foods, but this is not a sustainable approach for developing healthy eating habits. Collaboration with healthcare professionals is key to expanding the child’s diet gradually.
Nourishing the potential within every child, ‘Nurturing Optimal Nutrition for Autistic Children’ is a guiding light on the path to wellness, fostering health and happiness through the power of mindful and wholesome eating.
Julie Matthews
Diets Supporting Positive Behaviors and Healthy Eating
Many parents of autistic children explore specialized diets to support their well-being. Studies indicate that children with autism often shy away from healthier foods, preferring processed starches and snacks, leading to protein deficiencies.
Three common diets for autism include:
Autism MEAL Plan
The Autism MEAL Plan goes beyond being a mere nutritional strategy. It involves training parents in a behavioral approach to better assist their children. Behavioral therapies have proven highly effective in addressing feeding issues among individuals with autism. The focus of the Autism MEAL Plan is on altering behaviors related to specific foods.
While this approach is relatively novel in meeting the nutritional needs of autistic children, studies providing parents with Autism MEAL Plan training for eight weeks have shown a notable reduction in caregiver stress during mealtimes. However, it’s essential to note that there were no observed behavioral improvements in children with autism concerning meals or food selectivity. Further research is necessary to determine the long-term benefits or potential limitations of this specific behavioral approach.
Gluten-free/casein-free diet (GFCF)
Many parents, particularly those with autistic children, opt for the GFCF diet. This diet excludes gluten (a wheat protein) and casein (a dairy protein), aiming to alleviate digestive issues in autistic individuals. However, the existing research evidence supporting the effectiveness of this diet is insufficient.
While the GFCF diet may temporarily improve behaviors related to food, ensuring adequate protein, whole grains, and amino acids becomes challenging. These essential nutrients are often present in bread and dairy within Western diets. Therefore, it becomes crucial to explore alternative food options to meet these nutritional needs.
Modified ketogenic diet
The Modified ketogenic diet involves a low-carbohydrate, moderate-protein, high-fat approach, designed to provide essential protein for the brain and muscle development of children with autism. This diet targets the removal of potential digestive discomfort sources, such as wheat. Specific protein types emphasized in this diet may even facilitate the elimination of dairy if it causes digestive distress in the form of cheese or milk.
Due to its association with increased nutrient intake and the removal of certain irritants, the Modified ketogenic diet may prove more effective for autistic children compared to other diets. However, caution is necessary regarding fat consumption, as excessive intake could contribute to heart disease and obesity. This is especially pertinent if the child faces challenges in consuming other healthy foods like fruits and vegetables.
Optimal Food List for Autistic Children
A study identified insufficiencies of nutrition for autistic children in common diet, including fiber, folic acid, calcium, iron, zinc, and various vitamins. To address these deficiencies, consider adding the following foods to the child’s diet:
- Beans
- Peanuts and peanut butter
- Seafood
- Eggs
- Chia seeds
- Cruciferous vegetables
- Fortified breakfast cereal
- Lean meats
- Fruits like mango and melons
- Vegetables like tomatoes, carrots, and peppers
- Whole grains like rice
- Avocado
Combining these foods in diverse ways through meal planning can help provide high-quality nutrients while avoiding discomfort-triggering foods.
Foods to Avoid
If certain foods cause stomach issues or negative behaviors, it’s advisable to avoid them. Common culprits may include:
- Milk and dairy products
- Wheat products
- High-sugar foods
- Processed meats
Working with a pediatrician, nutritionist, and behavior therapist can help determine the best nutrition for autistic children, facilitating the introduction of new foods in an optimal manner.
Source
- Arnold, G. L., Hyman, S. L., Mooney, R. A., & Kirby, R. S. (2003). Plasma amino acids profiles in children with autism: potential risk of nutritional deficiencies. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 33(4), 449–454.
- Autism Nutrition Research Institute. (2023). Autism MEAL Plan: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents. Autism Nutrition Research Institute. Retrieved from www.autismnutritionresearch.org/autism-meal-plan-guide
- Elder, J. H., Shankar, M., Shuster, J., Theriaque, D., Burns, S., & Sherrill, L. (2006). The Gluten-Free, Casein-Free Diet in Autism: Results of a Preliminary Double Blind Clinical Trial. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 36(3), 413–420.
- Levy, S. E., Souders, M. C., Ittenbach, R. F., Giarelli, E., Mulberg, A. E., & Pinto-Martin, J. A. (2007). Relationship of dietary intake to gastrointestinal symptoms in children with autistic spectrum disorders. Biological Psychiatry, 61(4), 492–497.
- Paoli, A., Bianco, A., & Grimaldi, K. A. (2013). The ketogenic diet and sport: a possible marriage? Exercise and Sport Sciences Reviews, 41(3), 153–162.
- Su, Y. A., & Makino, Y. (2018). Food Aversion in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 48(12), 4092–4104.
- Vissoker, R. E., Latzer, Y., Gal, E., & Hochdorf, Z. (2015). Interventions for Children with Autism and Their Parents: The State of the Art. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(11), 3973–3989.
