Nine Nutrition and Dietary Considerations For Children With Autism Toronto

Kids can be fussy when it comes to food. They’ll be vocal about it too. This can make mealtimes a headache, and if a parent doesn’t stay on top of it, they’ll give in to unhealthy habits out of sheer exhaustion. This struggle is intensified when it comes to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). They will often face unique nutritional and dietary challenges beyond preference. From sensory considerations, to ritualistic requirements, to unaddressed gastrointestinal issues, neurodivergent children approach the table from a complicated place. Finding ways to address their needs can significantly impact their overall health, behaviour, and quality of life. 

Here are nine key considerations to help with the dietary and nutritional well-being of children with autism Toronto.

1. Staying Away From Food Additives

Always take the time to read the labels. The ingredients in some foods can put you off your dinner if you read the fine print. Some of it is simply toxic to children. This goes doubly so for children with autism. Some neurodivergent children may react adversely to certain food additives, such as processed and artificial flavours, colours, and preservatives. Talk to your dietician about what foods are best to avoid. At Monarch House we have professionals that can help you with a personalized list. Your child will see improvements in their behaviour and overall health if you work with them to eliminate some bad actors from their diet.

2. Being Mindful Of Gastrointestinal Issues

Everyone gets stomach aches now and then. For some children, they can be debilitating. Children with autism experience gastrointestinal (GI) issues like diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation. However, communication can be a barrier to having these issues articulated clearly. It’s up to parents and caregivers to help the child address these concerns through dietary changes. Some suggestions include increasing their fiber intake, ensuring proper hydration, adding more fruits and vegetables to the mix, and being mindful of portion sizes. All of these can help alleviate discomfort and improve nutrient absorption.

3. Maintaining A Balanced Diet

In an ideal world, we’d all eat a whole foods diet and stay away from fast food and processed junk. In reality, we try our best to maintain as balanced a diet as possible. It’s important for children, including those with autism, to have access to healthy foods. Do your best to ensure that meals include a colourful variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats. This makes sure that your child is getting the necessary minerals, vitamins, and nutrients for optimal development and growth.

4. Addressing Sensory Issues

Taste is just one of the barriers to preference you’ll encounter in a neurodivergent child. If food is too soft, too hard, too slippery, too cold, too hot, or too bumpy, it can be faced with instant rejection. So finding meals that tick all the boxes can be a real challenge. Children with autism can have extreme sensory sensitivities that affect their eating habits. At Monarch House, we can help you and your child work with a registered dietitian and an occupational therapist. Together, we can help develop strategies to introduce new foods and create a more positive mealtime experience.

5. Finding Essential Nutrients

Did you know that fish is considered brain food? Certain nutrients are crucial for brain development and function in all humans, such as Omega 3 fatty acids. These little miracle workers are found in fish oil. A few small tweaks to your diet can make an enormous difference in how you feel. If your child has sensitivities to gluten or dairy, removing them from their diet can help (consult your dietician). At the end of the day, overall nutrient intake is what’s most important as is understanding food allergies. As a parent, ensure your child is receiving adequate nutrients that fuels their body. As always, seeking advice from a medical expert is supported, 

6. Establishing Routine Meals

From the way the table is set, to the temperature of the milk, there can be a whole ritual fixated around dinner that you never would have anticipated before becoming a parent. Children with autism often thrive on routine. It’s important to be patient and play along (within reason). Work around the rigid systems that are in place and try to inject some nutrients while you’re at it. You don’t want a grazing child. Establish regular meal and snack times. This is important to create a sense of stability and predictability, and a chance for the family to get together once or twice a day to catch up. A little familiarity in the program helps to ease anxiety and gives children something to look forward to. 

7. Minding Hydration

Water is the most important thing that you can put in your body on a daily basis. Ensuring your children stay properly hydrated is imperative to their overall health. It also helps to keep things moving down there. Do your best to encourage regular water intake throughout the day. Don’t buy into the idea that drinks with added sugars and artificial ingredients also contain water. Stick to the straight goods. 

8. Being Vigilant About Food Allergies And Intolerances

There are lactose intolerant children out there that have never had a birthday cake. Food allergies and intolerances are a harsh reality on the average child. To make matters worse, they have been shown to actually worsen symptoms when that child has autism. Common culprits include gluten, dairy, soy, and certain food additives. At Monarch House we can help with Identifying and removing trigger foods through an elimination diet. We can also put you in touch with professionals that can help with allergy testing and nutritional advice. Overall, this can lead to significant improvements in your child’s behaviour and well-being.

9. Involving Your Child In Meal Preparation

Get your kid chopping vegetables for the spaghetti sauce. Or take them grocery shopping with you and let them hunt down the ingredients for the next meal. You can make children more interested in trying new foods by involving them in the meal planning and preparation. Try a few simple tasks out at home to see what they gravitate towards. They might actually enjoy washing vegetables, stirring ingredients, or setting the table for the family. Being active participants can increase their engagement and willingness to try a variety of meals.

With patience, observation, careful planning, a little experimental trial and error, and some luck, it is possible to strike a healthy balance between nutritious food and food that your child likes to eat. Every neurodivergent child is unique, and their specific dietary needs and responses to different foods can vary widely. So you’ll need to be flexible (and persistent). Reach out to us at Monarch House for help. Developing a personalized nutrition plan that supports your child’s health and development involves collaborating with healthcare providers, including dietitians, pediatricians, and therapists. Being mindful of these ten considerations, parents and caregivers can help ensure their children with autism will receive the best possible diet and nutrition for their bodies to grow.