We've learned, through trial and error, that there are some food issues with an Asperger's child. It is unique to each child, but there are some common threads.
Very little carbs - this is big. They need a higher protein diet than you might imagine at first. (I think this has to do with the higher level of brain activity - this is documented in research of Asperger's.) If you can imagine a plate with a balanced meal on it, take away from the carb section and give that to the protein section. Included in this list are things like, sugars (of course!), including honey or even Agave, breads (anything with processed flour!), any grains ought to be avoided, with the occasional exception of organic oats. And yes, this includes pasta, even the 'healthy' kind. So what do they eat? Don't get me started! I'll address that one later.
Anything with dyes ought to be avoided - have you been the grocery store lately??? Just don't go! Red 40 and Yellow 5 are particularly volatile. This includes most purples, pinks, oranges, greens and browns...
Dairy is often an issue, but this is unique to each child. Take them off for 6 weeks, NO dairy, then add it back in and see what happens. Keep a log of daily diet and behavior and see if you notice anything. Ice cream is particularly bad for Jon - he's angry and picks fights the next day.
My chiropractor does a Bio-Meridian test to find out, in fine detail, what things to eat and not eat. It is very helpful. But really, much of it is trial and error - take them off of foods, rid their system of them, and then put them back, one at a time, and carefully observe. I know of no other way to be certain.
Another thing that Jon needs is to eat about every 2 hours. This may be specific to him, but it's worth mentioning. Protein, every 2 hours. An apple or orange is fine, as well, but in moderation. Veggies, raw, are best, like celery (organic only!) with nut butter. He loves spinach, so we go with that. If he's made to wait, there are some days when it gets really ugly. This may indicate a blood sugar difficulty - no wonder, since he craves sugars and often chooses them over the better foods. This is a self-government issue for him now, he's 13. I try to provide good things, and teach him the reasons for avoiding the bad stuff, but it's like he's addicted. Maybe someone who reads this will catch it and help their child before it becomes such for him/her.
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, followed by dinner or bedtime snack, whichever is last. Protein, protein, protein - NO carbs!
So, what do they eat?
Keep these on hand, at all times:
nuts (organic is best) - anything they like, but walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds are good
nut butters (organic and with no added ingredients whatsoever)
meats (you guessed it, organic, and with no nitrates/nitrites, sulphates/sulphites - have you read the packages?? These additives are everywhere.)
Fresh dark greens, organic is best.
Carrots, but in moderation
beans, bean soups, chili (watch out for the canned stuff - it's often full of sugar)
Need a quick snack when you're out? Zone bars seem best formulated, but Standard Process has the best one we've seen. We get these from the chiropractor - can't find them at the store. Go figure!
I'm sure there's more, but this is off the top of my head. Hope its helpful!
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7 comments:
Th foods you mention in your article are really excellent, however my grandson, age 7, will rarely eat anything that is not beige. He will not eat red meat, only chicken and then that is only chicken strips or nuggets. Will not drink juices anymore although he did when he was younger. He is small for his age and we are worried it is because he is not getting the vitamins he needs to grow properly. He no longer takes any kind of multi-vitamin either. He is extremely intelligent and has only a few aspergers issues. His sensory issues such as sound and touch are getting much better. Please if you have any suggestions as to how to get him to eat a more balanced diet we all would be so grateful.
Hi Sherri,
Here are a couple of things you can try. But I must preface it with the idea that if he does not buy into it, he will likely not do it. Aspies can be very stubborn, on top of being kids.
1. Avoid the chicken nuggets - they often have sugar and wheat in them. Maybe coloring, too. If he will only eat chicken strips, maybe that's not so bad, just try to go for organic. Then, I would suggest that you 'agree' with him that you get to choose his food on certain days of the week, while he can choose on the others. Then he still has his say, but you get other foods into him. Knowing what to expect and when is huge for Aspies.
2. Green veggies are really important, so if you can, again, 'agree' with him that he must choose 5 or 6 that he will eat, and then 'agree' with you that he gets each of them once a week (and he can choose what days), this may help. One of the issues is training your taste buds. As he eats the better stuff, his tastes will change. Avoid fruits or fruit juice after 3:00, because it will add too much sugar to his system and he may find it difficult to sleep. Sounds like he doesn't really like them much right now, anyway.
3. As an intelligent person, he can reason. Reason with him regarding the nutrients in these foods so that he can decide for himself to choose them. Reason also with him that studies show that if he eats the same things every day, he may develop an allergy to them...then he won't get to eat them anymore. Read to him these findings, and let him reason for himself - don't tell him.
Take it slow, and only give him one thing to consider at a time. He is still very young. The important thing is that he recognizes the importance of change (don't use that word with him - use the words 'choose' or 'choice'), and that he has options. Telling him what to do may likely make him dig in his heals - doesn't it do that to all of us, really?
I hope you find this helpful - please keep me posted on progress!
Thank you so much for giving us new food strategies to try with my adorable grandson. I will let you know how it goes.
Thank you Sherri! I'll look forward to hearing from you again.
when you say no pasta, does that include the gluten free corn and rice pasta?
Is there anything your son eats as for a treat?
Thanks!
Hi Laura,
What I have seen (and this has been confirmed in the education I receive at the health food store where I work) is that pasta, as a processed flour of any kind, goes into your system very quickly, turning to sugar quickly. Go for foods that the body must break down, as it was meant to do, and you will have much less of an insulin spike. That spike is then followed by a huge drop and the child gets moody and difficult to please. Treats...I found this nut free treat called Somersaults. It's made with wheat, and has gluten, but it doesn't seem to bother us as other products do that contain those. These taste great! Check it out! Go for treats that are higher in protein and lower in sugars, not processed grains. I hope that helps!
Hi there,
My nephew is just recently prescribed as an Asperger Child.
He is only 3yo, he can walk and speak as normal child without big difference. And he can express his affections to dad and mom, every morning he will repeat mom not going to work. But he likes to place cards or photos in line, and don't like to be interrupted. He doesn't like eating food, only eat a little. He never say me, always say his full name and sometimes he repeats.
Also a while ago, he was prescribed as myelination growth delay. But he can walk and scoot naturally.
All in all, we were quite shocked to hear this prescription, so I looked at your website and hope the diet change could work for him.
Any more advice?
Thanks.
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