25 Strategies for picky eaters with The Autism Dietitian

Guest: 

Brittyn Coleman is a Registered Dietitian, Autism Nutrition Expert, and the Creator of the Autism Nutrition Library. She works with parents and children with autism and gives solutions to picky eaters by looking deep to find the cause of their symptoms.

Growing up with a brother on the autism spectrum, Brittyn has firsthand experience of what picky eating looks like. Seeing how difficult it was to deal with her brother's eating habits, she decided to dedicate her practice as a dietitian to picky eaters who are on the autism spectrum to help them expand their diet, live at their optimum ability, and by extension, perform brilliantly in school. 

Overview:

The beginner's diet for picky eaters.

It would be unwise to list what an ideal diet plan should look like because of individual preferences. Some children select their food because they have Sensory Processing Disorder, others for a different reason. The first step would be identifying the various categories their current meal plan falls into and formulating new meals with similar properties. 

Brittyn's thoughts on the expansion of food preference as children get older.

An explanation for the possibility of this happening would be, Exposure. Naturally, an older child will have more exposure to various kinds of meals than a younger child, but this can only happen with some effort or a major push from the parents or an expert. Merely showing them pictures of food and allowing them to touch and smell them can build their interest. 

How do picky eaters get the right amount of nutrients in their diet? 

It is important to note that kids on the autism spectrum eat a lot of processed food because the taste is familiar, so they know what to expect. These foods, as expected, have a limited number of nutrients, but a feeding therapist can help them expand their diet. While supplements are helpful, there shouldn't be a full dependence on them. So if you use supplements, get professional help in expanding your diet.

How to deal with constipation.

A few veggies and fruits with a good amount of fiber can help lucky eaters have easy bowel movements. A few of them are Pears and Chia seeds. Beans and legumes can help also. Supplements like Magnesium are also advised.

How do you control weight gain and loss?

To help control the children's weight, a fiber-rich, nutrient-dense diet is the main focus. The problem becomes getting them to eat these foods. An autism-based dietitian or nutritionist can help with this. The primary aim is to expand their diet, help them eat healthier, and integrate healthy living into their lifestyle. 

How do you help children when they get burned out on their favorite food?

It can be stressful for the parent to get used to a child's favorite food and suddenly have to start sourcing for new ideas when they get bored, only to go back to the previous meal when they have settled into a new meal plan. To navigate this, a few changes can be made to that particular food to offer variety so the child doesn't get bored. 

Is nutrition deficiency a contributor to picky eating?

Absolutely yes, it is. 

When certain important nutrients are missing from your food, you can experience a severe change of preference for food. Introducing supplements to fill in the gap and break the circle is advised. For kids on the spectrum, it can be really hard. The best approach to help picky eaters is to collaborate with an autism nutrition expert.

Recap:

• Nutrition is hard. It is stressful for many families, but I know that small changes make a difference, and these little small changes build up over time. 

• Be patient and use the resources around you. Reach out to an expert.

• Make an effort to modify foods so your child is not burned out.

Resources:

Website: autismdietitian.com

Instagram: instagram.com/autismdietitian

Podcast: autismdietitian.com/podcast

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