Autistic Diet – Best Foods for Autism
Nutrition is an essential aspect of anyone’s life. An increasing amount of research is showing that there’s an overwhelming link between what you put into your body and not just your physical health, but also your mental health, your mental acuity, your behavior and more.
That’s why it’s so important to eat a healthy, balanced diet as much as possible.
Parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) know that this might be easier said than done. Some children with autism might have issues related to feeding or digestion, which can cause them to be deficit in some nutrients.
At the same time, it’s important to focus as much as possible on providing children with autism a healthy and balanced diet.
Below, we discuss some of the best foods for autism that can help people with it manage their symptoms better and function at their peak performance.
Table Of Contents
What’s the Connection Between Autism and Diet?
Much research has revealed the significant impact that nutrition has on people who have autism. Food can’t treat autism, but following a certain diet — or at least approaching nutrition from a specific way — can help to alleviate some of the symptoms they’re experiencing while also supporting their overall wellbeing.
In this regard, there should be a particular focus on nutrients and foods that have been shown to have positive effects on cognitive function and behavior. Examples of this include foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids1 such as sardines and salmon, which are often associated with improved cognition as well as behavioral symptoms.
Vitamin D2 is also the focus of many studies related to its positive impact on children with autism. This can be found in certain foods, can be taken in a supplement form and can even be obtained by extra exposure to sunlight.
Do Specific Diets Benefit Children with Autism?
Some research has suggested that children with ASD can gain benefits from following some specific diets.
This includes following a gluten-free diet, in which all or most gluten that is found in rye, barley and wheat is eliminated from the diet. Another is eliminating or significantly reducing the intake of casein, which dairy products contain. However, many other studies exist that show that a gluten-free/casein-free diet does not positively affect autism3.
Some people have found success following a slightly modified ketogenic approach to diet4, which involves high fat, moderate protein and low carbohydrate intake.
Of course, if you follow these diets, it’s important to ensure you and/or your child gets the appropriate nutrients that they might be missing from the things they are taken out. For instance, dairy products contain a lot of protein, so if they’re taken out of the diet, protein needs to be supplemented in other ways.
It’s worth noting that the research in this area is still preliminary, but benefits have been found.
What are Some of the Best Foods for Autism?
The best foods for autism are those that are rich in the essential nutrients they need that will contribute to their overall wellbeing and health.
Essentially, you want to focus on vegetables and fruits that are full of nutrients and are a variety of colors. This includes leafy greens, carrots, bell peppers, grapes, apples, citrus fruits and berries.
If your child has aversions to eating some of these fruits and vegetables, you can creative with how you serve them, such as putting them in a smoothie.
Lean and quality proteins are also key. Examples include fish such as salmon and tuna, eggs, Greek yogurt, chicken breast, beans and legumes, tofu, nuts and seeds.
Healthy oils and fats are also great, as they can contribute to cognitive function and brain health. They also can help to absorb nutrients better and make you feel as though you’re full.
Good examples include avocado, oily fish such as mackerel and salmon, chia seeds, olive oil, coconut oil, flaxseed oil and sesame oil.
What Foods Should People with Autism Avoid?
We spoke above about how avoiding casein and gluten could be beneficial to people who have autism. There are some other foods that are important to avoid in the autistic diet, too.
First, anything with preservatives and artificial additives should be avoided. This means processed foods that include artificial sweeteners, flavor enhancers and food colorings.
Beverages and foods that contain a lot of sugar are also not good, as they can result in energy imbalances, worsen hyperactivity and negative affect stability of moods.
As much as possible, these foods should be avoided. People with autism do best with homemade meals and whole foods over takeout and processed foods — regardless of how convenient they might be.
Blue Gems ABA Supports Children with Autism
What you put into your body has a huge effect on your overall health — from a physical, mental, cognitive, emotional and behavioral standpoint. That’s why optimizing the diet of children with autism is so important to ensure they’re eating the right foods with the essential nutrients they need.
At Blue Gems ABA, we support children with autism by administering applied behavioral analysis, or ABA therapy. Generally accepted as the gold standard of treatment for autism, ABA therapy is a science- and evidence-based approach to learning and behavior that helps children with ASD gain the communication, social and daily life skills with which they often struggle.
One area that our experienced BCBAs can help children with is any food aversions, which might be standing in the way of them eating a balanced diet.
To learn more, please contact us today.
617-297-7998
617-340-3371
info@bluegemsaba.com
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