Healthy Snacks for Children with Autism

By sandra.caplesc…, 11 November, 2021
A child reaching out to strawberries.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurological condition that affects the brain's function, particularly in the areas of social interaction and communication skills. This means that the autistic individual can't read social cues such as vocal tone, body language, and facial expressions, making it difficult to make friends. Other classic symptoms include poor eye contact, high anxiety levels, or food aversions. There is no known cause for autism and no cure, but treatment options let you ease autism symptoms.

Every parent wants their child to get the nutrients they need without a fuss. But caring for a kid with ASD is challenging on many levels, and healthy eating is no exception. A balanced and nutritious diet can make a difference in the child's ability to learn, manage emotions, and process outside information. Getting children to eat healthy meals is not easy, and since autistic children have food restrictions, they have a hard time sitting through meals.

What can you do to instill healthy behaviors and what snacks autistic children love? Find out in the following paragraphs.

Related Article: Healthy and Delicious Organic Snacks That Your Kid Will Love

Autistic Children and Food

Picky eating is a common problem among all kids but especially challenging for children with autism spectrum disorder. Since they often engage in repetitive behaviors and have obsessive interests, this affects their ability to function in day-to-day life. Their food choices also make mealtimes difficult, leaving parents frustrated and unsure of what to do.

If you are looking for tips for picky eating and children with autism, then read How to Overcome Picky Eating in Autistic Children

Studies show that despite these challenges, kids with autism consume similar amounts of nutrients when compared to neurotypical children. While children with autism have a more significant percentage of vitamin K and E, both groups require more fiber, calcium, and potassium. However, another study found that autistic children have significantly lower volumes of calcium and protein.

Some reasons why children with autism avoid food are:

Increased Sensitivity

A child with ASD is not necessarily sensitive to the taste of a particular food but also to the color, smell, and texture. The way a specific vegetable looks, for example, can affect whether the child likes or dislikes the food, rather than just the flavor. This hypersensitivity to food can make it challenging to find a diet for children with autism while also giving them the nutrients they need to develop.

Habits

You know very well that children with autism spectrum have habits and routines they follow rigorously. You have to explain to your child exactly what is happening to avoid a meltdown whenever you go out. This is why it isn't easy to introduce new foods to your child. Eating may also cause ritualistic habits such as making sure no foods touch or using the same plate at every meal.

Not Eating Enough Food

Children with autism have a hard time focusing on one thing for an extended period. This is why they may not be eating enough. They lose interest in finishing their meals or sitting at the table. Introducing snacks can help, but finding the right balance between healthy snacks and what your child likes is challenging.

About Snacks

Parents will always stress about their child's nutritional intake, so it's essential to focus on how meals and snacks are delivered. Mealtime should be fun and engaging, so you should start by paying attention to your child's interests. In addition, you can help your child learn about mealtime routines through social stories.

Kids with autism require the same nutrients as any other child their age. Depending on your child's behaviors, you may feel as though your options are limited. Feeding issues can range from mild to severe so that a child can be selective with the color or texture of their food. Motor deficits and gastrointestinal problems can also deter a child from eating. It would help if you worked closely with the therapist or nutritionist to discover what works for your child. Each autistic youngster is unique, and plans should be made for each need.

Good Food for Autism

The autism diet needs to contain nutrients and healthy foods for autism that are beneficial. There is no one-size-fits-all diet for an autistic child, but there are some foods that can help with autism symptoms and improve behaviors:

Gut Health: Recent studies indicate a relationship between gut microbiota and the severity of autism. That's why gut health has a massive impact on quality of life. Your child's diet should include a variety of prebiotics or dietary fiber, such as walnuts for autism. This helps the growth of beneficial bacteria, and snacks are a great place to add in a little extra fiber.

Brain Health: Autism is partly a brain disorder, so snacks that promote brain health are welcome. Omega-3 fatty acids play a significant role in reducing inflammation in the brain and easing hyperactivity in children. Fish is an excellent source of omega-3, but not many kids like it. Other good sources of omega-3 include flax seeds, walnuts, or hemp seeds. These seeds can be mixed into homemade smoothies or sprinkled over yogurts.

Bad Foods for Autism

There are certain types of food and bad ingredients that affect children with autism spectrum more than others. It's highly recommended to avoid gluten, dairy, food dyes, and excess sugar. It's also best to avoid soy, corn, and nuts if you think your child is sensitive to them. Caloric drinks should also only be offered as part of a meal, and you should limit juice to no more than 8 ounces a day. Soda should be avoided whenever possible.

How to Make Healthy Snacks for Spectrum Kids

A good snack for autistic child equals a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. Ideally, these should be taken in moderate amounts, but 2 or 3 snacks a day would be good. One easy way is to choose a carbohydrate first, then add something with protein and fat.

Finding the right healthy food takes some experimentation, but don’t lose hope if your child doesn’t like a meal at first. Learn How to Address Food Aversions in Autism before trying on these suggestions:

Grab and Go Snacks

  • Hard-boiled eggs
  • Dairy-free yogurt
  • Rice cakes with nuts
  • Carrots and hummus
  • Veggie plate with a focus on the textures and colors your child lives

Crunchy Foods

  • Apples
  • Pears
  • Grapes
  • Cucumber
  • Peppers
  • Crackers and breadsticks
  • Crisps and popcorn

Or you can serve your child:

  • Banana chips
  • Minimally-cooked broccoli so that it retains its bite
  • Toasted sandwiches
  • Dry cereal or granola
  • Pasta very al dente
  • Dips such as tzatziki, hummus, or peanut butter

Strong Flavors

  • Spicy curries
  • Sour lemons or lime
  • Salty pretzels
  • Ice cream

Packaged Snacks

DIY Snacks

Tips for Improving the Diet of a Picky Eater

Make Recipes Together

Autism Helper, for example, offers easy snack ideas along with visual support. With these recipes, you and your autistic child can make snacks together. By involving your child in the process, you can make him more comfortable with the food they will be enjoying later. Let your child see that you are enjoying the food so that he can follow your example.

Take Baby Steps

Don’t force your child with autism to eat new food because it will only worsen the situation. During this battle, you should be patient and take small steps. You can have the child look, smell, and even lick the food before biting or putting it into his mouth. The point is that the kid should become familiar with the food, and they are likely to try it next time.

Offer a Choice

Give your child with a developmental disorder control over snack time. You can try taking them to the grocery store (if they can handle crowds) and let them pick the foods they'd like to try. Afterward, you can do some research about how to cook the food in a way that your kid will enjoy. Always keep your child's input in mind and offer him choices.

Offer Positive Reinforcement

Parents can use visual support to instill good behaviors in autistic children. You may also consider rewarding good behavior. Setting meal expectations and providing positive reinforcement can help families enjoy mealtime.

Don’t Lose Hope

Living with a child with autism spectrum disorder is a challenge and a blessing. But with autism awareness on the rise, there are many ways in which you can make their life easier. In the future, they will grow to be independent adults and live fulfilling lives. When dealing with food aversions, it's essential to stay calm and take it slow. It might seem like an impossible task, but you can help your autistic child get the nutrition he needs to develop healthily. Picky eating is a problem that you can solve.

Snacks are an easy way to start on the right path. It adds a little nutritional value to your child's diet, such as fiber, vitamins, and minerals. All of these nutrients can make a difference over time, so start adding new stuff on the menu through snacks that your child loves. You will see an improvement in time, and your child will transition from their favorite food to more "daring" options.

See also Best Supplements & Vitamins for Autism