For children living with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), mealtimes can be difficult due to food sensitivities, dietary restrictions, and bad behavior when trying new foods. Finding the right food for autism is imperative before your child learns unhealthy eating habits that will be hard to break later in life. A food and nutrition program can help make mealtimes a positive experience with healthy meals while trying new foods much easier.
At Camp Worth, we help teen boys and girls between the ages of 11 and 17 who have food sensitivities and aversions to trying new foods. Our behavioral therapists and medical staff will work together to identify any mealtime problems and medication requirements to create a treatment program to address all of their needs. We also help parents create a healthy autism food list to create delicious meals at home. If you would like help finding the right food for autism for your teen son or daughter, call 855.915.2545 or fill out our online form to speak with our knowledgeable staff.
Why is a Healthy Autism Food List Important for Teens Living with Autism
Children with autism are more likely to focus on one type of food over others due to various reasons. Often, it has nothing to do with taste but with their perception. They may not understand those different foods will look, feel, and taste different. If they don’t understand what’s happening, it can cause them to overreact when they see different shapes or colors of food on their plate.
Parents will often give in to their child’s demands to avoid negative behavior around mealtimes. They stick to the foods that cause the least problems without thinking about the nutritional benefits they are missing out on. Children with autism are at risk of not getting enough vitamins and minerals for their growing bodies. Some common nutritional deficiencies that children with autism face include:
- Fiber
- Vitamin D, E, B12
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Zinc
- Iron
At Camp Worth, we take the time to get to know your teen’s nutritional needs and food aversions to develop a healthy food list for autism that addresses their dietary and nutrition needs.
What is a Healthy Food List for Autism?
If your teen has specific dietary requirements, talk with their medical doctor before introducing new foods into their diet. Typically, children with autism should avoid foods that contain dairy, wheat products, sugary snacks, and processed meats.
Here is a healthy food list for autism that can benefit your teen’s health:
- Nuts and whole grains – Peanuts, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and almonds are rich in zinc, iron, vitamins B1, B2, B3, and E, healthy fats, protein, and much more.
- Leafy green vegetables – Leafy greens are great sources of vitamins and minerals with a low caloric count. It can help reduce obesity, heart disease, and mental decline. Leafy green vegetables include kale, microgreens, collard greens, spinach, and cabbage.
- Protein – Eggs, fatty fish, chicken, and lean beef are excellent protein sources. Navy, pinto, and black beans are full of protein and perfect for children on a meat restriction or vegetarian diet.
- Whole grains – Brown and white rice, barley, oatmeal, and whole-grain bread offer a complete package of health benefits and a good substitute for breaded treats filled with bad fats, sugar, and calories.
Camp Worth: Your Top Resource for Finding the Right Food for Autism
At Camp Worth, we help teen boys and girls whose diet negatively impacts their health and development. Eating nutritious foods has many physical and mental health benefits and can reduce some of the common symptoms related to autism while potentially reducing the need for some medications. Our food and nutrition program will help you create a healthy food list for autism that will keep your teen healthy and open them to a whole new choice of foods.
Call 855.915.2545 today or fill out our online form to discover all of the benefits of our food and nutrition program.
