Are you finding it difficult to feed a proper and nutritious diet to your autistic kid? Is he/ she so fuzzy and picky during meal times? A nutritious diet is really important for the growth and development of the kids both physically and mentally. This becomes crucial when it comes to kids with autism as they have many digestive problems and other problems. So, understanding that they need different nutrient requirements, forms the first step in building a healthy diet plan for them.
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Autistic Spectrum Disorder:
ASD or Autistic Spectrum Disorder is a broad term that is characterised by kids having difficulties with social skills, repetitive activities, speech, and nonverbal communication. Inadequate nutrition is more prevalent in kids with autism. Having a nutritious and healthy diet plan is very much crucial for growth and brain development. Autism frequently coexists with sensory sensitivities, physical conditions including gastrointestinal (GI) diseases, seizures, or sleep disorders, as well as psychological difficulties like anxiety, depression, and attention deficits.
Also, check Autism and Sensory Sensitivity
Nutrient Requirements of Autistic kids
It is very important to know the nutrient requirement of autistic kids to have a healthy diet plan. The dietary needs of kids with autism spectrum disorder are met and associated complications are decreased by consuming foods high in vitamins B6, C, D, magnesium, and other nutrients. The following is the list of nutrients and some food examples than might help to build a healthy diet plan.
Also check, Top 10 Brain development foods for children
probiotics:
Children with autism frequently experience digestive issues. Since probiotics contain beneficial bacteria that influence gut microbiota, including them in the diet can help with these issues. Regular consumption of probiotics will assist the child to pass stool easily. Some examples of probiotics include fermented foods (idli, dosa, dhokla), buttermilk etc.
Also, Check this Probiotic rich Digest veggies and Dal powder – Buy Now
magnesium and vitamin B6:
It is found that foods high in magnesium and vitamin B6 help to improve speech and language in kids with ASD. Some of the foods that are rich in vitamin B6 are fish, peanuts, soybeans, oats, and bananas. Almonds, spinach, cashews, pumpkin seeds, black beans, dark chocolate (60–69%), bread, potato, and brown rice are all promising sources of magnesium.
Also check, Weight gain diet plan for kids
zinc and vitamin C:
Mothers who are low in zinc and vitamin C have been linked to an increased risk of autism in the foetus. Furthermore, if the autistic child lacks these two nutrients in their diet then they may experience worsening symptoms. Certain foods that are rich in zinc and Vitamin C are oranges, lemons, seeds (pumpkin seeds, almonds, sunflower seeds), papayas, broccoli, eggs, and legumes.
Vitamin D and Omega- 3 fatty acid:
There is a strong link between a healthy diet plan and autism. It was suggested that a diet rich in vitamin D, PUFA (Omega- 3 fatty acid) and DHA have the potential to significantly improve the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder as per a study in the journal Trials. Some foods rich in these nutrients are walnuts, seeds (chia seeds, flaxseeds), soybeans, and fatty fishes like salmon, mackerel and cod liver oil.
Also, check 7 Brain Boosting foods for kids
A healthy diet plan for autistic children:
| Monday | |||||
| Breakfast (8:00-8:30 am) | Millet dosa and onion with mint chutney | ||||
| Mid-Meal (11:00-11:30 am) | Fruit salad, almond/soy milk | ||||
| Lunch (1:30-2:00 pm) | Roti, Rice, dal, ash gourd curry | ||||
| Evening (4:00-4:30 pm) | Orange/ lemon/pineapple juice | ||||
| Dinner (8:00-8:30 pm) | Sabudana khichdi/upma |
| | | | | Tuesday | |
| Breakfast (8:00-8:30 am) | | | | Brown bread,peanut butter, almond milk | |
| Mid-Meal (11:00-11:30 am) | | | | Tender coconut water/ fruit juice | |
| Lunch (1:30-2:00 pm) | | | | Roti, Brown rice, Spinach curry/ potato curry | |
| Evening (4:00-4:30 pm) | | | | Vegetable sandwich | |
| Dinner (8:00-8:30 pm) | | | | Dosa with chutney | |
| | | | | Wednesday | |
| Breakfast (8:00-8:30 am) | | | | Idli and tomato chutney | |
| Mid-Meal (11:00-11:30 am) | | | | Carrot juice/orange juice | |
| Lunch (1:30-2:00 pm) | | | | Roti, Rice, Rajma curry/ vegetable curry | |
| Evening (4:00-4:30 pm) | | | | Boiled peanuts/ roasted peanut /lentils | |
| Dinner (8:00-8:30 pm) | | | | Fruit salad, vegetable rice/ pulao |
| | | | | Thursday | |
| Breakfast (8:00-8:30 am) | | | | Pongal and sambar | |
| Mid-Meal (11:00-11:30 am) | | | | Nuts and seeds/ Buttermilk | |
| Lunch (1:30-2:00 pm) | | | | Roti, Rice, Tomato rasam, Dal | |
| Evening (4:00-4:30 pm) | | | | Millet Muffins | |
| Dinner (8:00-8:30 pm) | | | | Millet idli/dosa with sambar/chutney |
| | | | | Friday | |
| Breakfast (8:00-8:30 am) | | | | Idli with sambhar | |
| Mid-Meal (11:00-11:30 am) | | | | Coconut laddu / ragi laddu | |
| Lunch (1:30-2:00 pm) | | | | Roti, Mushroom gravy and rice | |
| Evening (4:00-4:30 pm) | | | | Ragi laddu/peanut bars | |
| Dinner (8:00-8:30 pm) | | | | Jowar roti/ any millet roti/buttermilk |
| | | | | Saturday | |
| Breakfast (8:00-8:30 am) | | | | Moong dal khichdi | |
| Mid-Meal (11:00-11:30 am) | | | | Fruit juice/coconut/almond /soy milk | |
| Lunch (1:30-2:00 pm) | | | | Roti, Brown rice, Spinach gravy, dal | |
| Evening (4:00-4:30 pm) | | | | Oats and banana with honey | |
| Dinner (8:00-8:30 pm) | | | | Poha |
| | | | | Sunday | |
| Breakfast (8:00-8:30 am) | | | | Besan cheela | |
| Mid-Meal (11:00-11:30 am) | | | | Vegetable salad with some broccoli | |
| Lunch (1:30-2:00 pm) | | | | Roti, Steamed rice, Vegetable curry | |
| Evening (4:00-4:30 pm) | | | | Strawberry/watermelon/banana shake | |
| Dinner (8:00-8:30 pm) | | | | Dhokla |
To know more healthy food recipes – Check here
Foods to be avoided and alternative suggestions:
1. Dairy:
Casein, is one of the major proteins found in any dairy product. Casein upon reaction with stomach acid creates an exorphin. Exorphins can cause a variety of problems, including brain fog, fuzziness, difficulty concentrating, and numbness to pain, when they bind to the opioid receptor sites.
Dairy alternatives: Plant-based or nut milk like almond milk, soy milk, cashew milk can be used.
2. Gluten:
It is a protein found in many kinds of cereal like wheat, barley, and rye. These gluten proteins when consumed can aggravate inflammation as the body starts producing antibodies against gluten that may cause an inflammatory reaction in the brain.
Gluten alternatives: Gluten-free products like millets, rice lentils and pulses can be used.
3. Sugar:
Cutting back on sugar and refined carbohydrates while increasing lean protein will greatly enhance judgement and focus while reducing impulsivity.
Sugar Alternatives: Jaggery or brown sugar can be used. Try including probiotic products in diet as it helps in digestion issues.
Also, check Healthy sugar alternatives for kids
4. Artificial Ingredients:
Preservatives, dyes and artificial colours, artificial flavourings, and artificial sweeteners should all be avoided.
Also, check Harmful side effects of Food Preservatives
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