Feeding autistic children
According to published statistics, 1 out of every 150 people in Iran struggles with autism and its problems. A statistic that reaches its peak in other countries such as the United States, where 1 out of every 68 people is autistic. Different sensitivities and physical condition make feeding autistic children a big concern
This category of children generally does not make connections with many food groups, and digestive symptoms, oral movement problems, nutrient deficiencies, and drug interactions cause the physical condition of autistics to be affected. For this reason, very small issues such as diet become a very big issue.
Why do autistics generally have an unbalanced diet?
People who are on the spectrum of autism suffer from certain characteristics and conditions that affect their diet. These conditions can include the following:
They generally dislike many foods because their sensory sensitivities do not allow them to like that food.
They are generally associated with chronic gastrointestinal problems such as constipation, which reduce the absorption of key nutrients in a diet.
Different allergies limit the range of foods consumed by autistics.
Low muscle tone (hypotonia) makes it difficult for them to chew and swallow food. delicious and homemade diet cake
Used drugs increase or decrease appetite and metabolism.
As a result of these unfavorable and sometimes difficult conditions, many parents limit the feeding of autistic children to foods that they like and that are easier for them to eat; But this action only worsens the situation and causes people to develop bad eating habits.
This is why parents should be in constant contact with pediatricians and nutritionists of autistic children to expand the food plan over time and in a very principled way and prepare a list of optimal foods for the child.
The importance of nutrition in autistic children
Webmd says that a lot of research has been done on the importance of nutrition for autistic children, and some notable gaps have been discovered. For example, low activity levels in autistic children cause them to have an unhealthy weight, and an imbalance in the gut microbiome can increase the severity of disease symptoms.
Another study showed that the bodies of autistics lack vitamins such as iron, zinc, calcium, fiber, folic acid, and vitamins A, C, D, E, K, B6, and B12, and for this reason, these people need nutrients and vitamins. , is more than the general public.
In a general conclusion, we can say that autism has many challenges and the less important aspects of our lives become important and vital for autistic children. As a result, it is very important to pay attention to the nutrition of autistic children.
What is the best diet for autism?
Although we cannot prescribe a specific diet for autism and say that this diet is suitable for a wide range of children, there are certain supplements and foods that can have a positive effect on your children’s lifestyle:
Balanced diet: A diet that focuses on lean proteins, healthy fats, and fibrous foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to ensure gut health and brain development.
Gluten and casein-free diet: This diet is very common in the autism community and is recommended by many doctors. This food plan effectively removes wheat and dairy products from the daily foods, because the main belief is that many autistic children have digestive problems and it is very difficult for intestinal enzymes to break down wheat and dairy products.
Supplements: Multivitamins, probiotics, and fatty acid supplements play an essential role in filling nutritional gaps and can improve nutritional deficiencies in the nutrition of autistic children.
What foods are included in the good and bad list?
As we said before, by eating one food, your child will not be safe from all problems; In other words, feeding autistic children is a very complex challenge that cannot be solved completely. However, you can improve and increase your child’s vitamin and nutrient levels by adding the following foods to their diet:
High-quality proteins such as chicken and eggs, beef and wild-caught salmon
All kinds of fresh fruits or frozen fruits and vegetables
Whole grains such as oats, brown rice and quinoa
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, including nuts, seeds, and fish
Beans and legumes
On the other hand, food sensitivities and the imbalance of intestinal bacteria cause dietary restrictions for autistics. As a result, we suggest not to use these foods in the feeding of autistic children:
Refined and processed foods of any kind.
Artificial ingredients such as colors, sweeteners and preservatives
Gluten (protein found in wheat and barley)
Casein (protein found in milk)
Corn or soybeans
materials grown using pesticides; We suggest you use organic ingredients instead of these products.
Finally, you should pay attention to one main point that when making new foods or adding a food item to your child’s diet, keep an important factor called allergy in mind; If you don’t want to reach a conclusion by trial and error, talk to a nutritionist about possible allergies in children.
What snacks can we include in our child’s meal plan?
Children need to eat every 2-3 hours, so having balanced meals and snacks is especially important. For this reason, along with the main meals, you should think of small and light snacks that will fill the children and be useful at the same time. Here are some snacks that can play a positive role in the nutrition of autistic children:
Protein bar
Pretzels with peanut butter