Learn about the foods preferred by autistic children and the reasons behind their selective eating, along with a list of forbidden foods that may negatively affect their behavior and overall health.
Autistic Children and Diet: Forbidden Foods
Some may assume that an autistic child does not eat, but in reality, the child does not completely refuse food. Rather, they reject many types of food and insist on consuming specific items, rarely deviating from them.
Autistic children often find it difficult to try new foods, as they tend to follow a fixed and consistent dietary routine.
Additionally, these children face challenges eating independently due to impaired motor coordination, which places an extra burden on their families and affects their daily routines.
The good news is that autistic children can be trained to eat independently through simple steps, including:
- Teaching the child not to use both hands simultaneously while eating.
- Using only the right hand to handle food.
- Placing the left hand on their lap or on the dining table.
What Do Autistic Children Prefer to Eat?
Autistic children usually prefer specific types of food characterized by a particular texture, color, or smell, a behavior known as selective eating.
Scientists explain selective eating in children with autism as a result of their heightened sensitivity to colors, textures, smells, and temperature of foods.
Additionally, many autistic children suffer from gastrointestinal disorders, such as bloating, persistent cramps, and chronic constipation.
Commonly preferred foods include pasta, grain products, bread, and sliced chicken, while they tend to avoid foods with strong odors, intense flavors, soft or mushy textures, and certain types of spreads.
These children also often resist trying new foods outside their preferred choices and tend to eat only small amounts of fruits and vegetables.
This selective diet can lead to anemia, calcium and vitamin D deficiencies, and a lack of essential vitamins, minerals, and omega-3 fatty acids, which negatively impacts their behavior, learning ability, and skill acquisition.
Are There Forbidden Foods for Autistic Children?
Many autistic children have sensitivities to certain food components, such as gluten and casein, which can cause severe gastrointestinal inflammation and disorders.
Gluten is found in many grains, especially wheat and barley, which are commonly used in bread and baked goods like cakes and croissants.
Casein is present in dairy products, including milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter, as well as foods containing concentrated casein.
Doctors emphasize that processed foods and meats containing artificial colors and preservatives are highly harmful to autistic children. These ingredients can trigger allergies, gastrointestinal inflammation, increased hyperactivity, and, in some cases, aggressive behavior.
Autistic children also often have metabolic difficulties with sugars. Consuming large amounts of sugar and sweets can increase hyperactivity, impulsivity, and make it harder to manage their behavior.
Finally, soy and soy-based products are considered forbidden for autistic children, as they can cause severe irritation and digestive sensitivities.
This careful management of diet is crucial to supporting the health, behavior, and learning potential of children with autism.
