Choose simple and nutritious foods for autism

Marsha N. Woolery, Healthy Eating & Diet

Living with autism has many challenges that can affect the health and wellbeing of child and parent or caregiver. With support and teamwork between family and registered dietitian, the fear and anxiety experienced can be lowered.

The challenges for the child can affect their ability to eat and be well nourished, which may result in the child not growing or developing normally.

Here are the main problems that may be of concern:

✖ Anxiety, which may cause a loss of appetite

✖ Abnormal posture and gestures, which may result in difficulty feeding and the child indicating or pointing to an incorrect food item when choosing from a variety

✖ Inability to evaluate foods based on hot, cold or taste, and not being able to choose foods based on eye appeal. This may reduce food intake because the child is more than likely going to refuse food that was chosen and prepared. This can be frustrating to the caregiver

✖ Spending more time arranging food on a plate than eating

✖ Being messy eaters, with more food on floor and/or on the table and self than what is actually swallowed.

These challenges or problems may result in the child:

✖ Consuming an inadequate amount of food due to loss of appetite or dietary restrictions

✖ Not consuming enough nutrients because of diarrhoea, and malabsorption

✖ Being a picky eater

✖ Experiencing the food jag phase for an extended period of time - the child may choose a particular food item all the time due to compulsive obsessive behaviour

✖ Experiencing digestive problems and/or trouble absorbing foods or diarrhoea or constipation

✖ Having a fear of trying new foods or flavours (neophobia).

This month, as we commemorate World Autism Awareness, here are some suggestions that can increase food intake in the child with autism, for concerned parents, caregivers and friends:

✔ Offer a variety of foods from the six Caribbean food groups.

✔ Offer foods that have taste and textures and are liked by the child.

✔ Offer meals that are colourful and attractive. Cut foods in different shapes, for eye appeal.

✔ Offer small amounts of nutrient-dense foods. Meals should be made up of foods from three or more different food groups in small amounts, such as soup - yam (staple), pumpkin (vegetable), red peas (legumes), chicken (foods from animals and fats and oils) - served in a six-ounce bowl.

✔ Add extra powdered cow's or soy milk for additional protein for growth, development and boosting the immune system.

✔ Avoid foods that may cause sensitivity or allergic reactions, such as gluten or casein. Gluten is the protein that is found in wheat flour and its products (from bread to ketchup to tablets). Casein is one of the proteins found in milk and dairy products.

✔ Avoid foods that may cause choking, such as popcorn, nuts, whole grapes, guinep, sausages that are cut round.

✔ Offer foods that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as tuna, sardines, herring, and mackerel. These foods help with brain-cell development.

✔ Offer whole fruits and vegetables to increase vitamins, fibre and minerals. Vitamins are needed to boost the immune system, minerals are needed for healthy blood, teeth and bones. Fibre is needed to control blood-glucose levels, reduce the chances of the child having obvious bursts of energy (hyperactivity) and prevent constipation.

✔ Offer a variety of fruits and vegetables of different colours and textures at the end of six months after birth to increase the chances of the child liking the food item and prevent constipation.

✔ Water should be offered to prevent dehydration when the child is experiencing diarrhoea and to moisten faeces and prevent constipation.

✔ Avoid artificial food colours and dyes, such as red and yellow, to lower the chances of allergies or sensitivity to food.

✔ Avoid or limit processed foods, such as corned beef, bacon, canned foods, because preservatives may cause sensitivity, and allergies.

✔ Feed the child in a quiet environment to lower the chances of distractions. Be patient, pleasant and calm when feeding. This will make mealtime a pleasant occasion that both the caregiver and the child will look forward to.

✔ Beware of diets that specify the removal of food groups.

Making healthy, simple food choices for the child with autism is important for growth, development and wellness. A healthy, well-nourished child makes a healthy relaxed caregiver.

Marsha N. Woolery, RD, is a registered dietitian/nutritionist at Fairview Medical and Dental Center, Montego Bay, and adjunct lecturer at Northern Caribbean University. Email yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.