When it comes to proper nutrition, it can be pretty challenging to get your child to eat their fruits and veggies. And who can blame them? With so many delicious snacks and treats that are geared towards children, the last thing they want is a serving of broccoli or brussel sprouts. However, as parents, it is our responsibility to ensure that our children receive the nutrition they need for their growth and development. Children not wanting to eat their veggies is nothing new for parents, but if your child has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), the stakes tend to be even higher, especially when considering autism and nutrition.

Children with autism tend to limit their food intake or have extreme preferences, which may result in nutritional deficiencies. So the question remains, is there a direct correlation between autism and nutrition? The short answer is yes, but there is much more to it, including understanding autism and dietary issues. Let's dive in…

Autism and Nutrition

So, where does nutrition come into play? Well, as we mentioned, a child with ASD is likely to exhibit some sensory sensitivities–in this case, taste– that may lead to behaviors such as picky eating. Unfortunately, the foods they do like don't always provide the nutrients they need, which is why an autism diet list can be helpful in identifying foods to avoid with autism.

Please remember that malnutrition, on its own, does not cause autism. However, it can worsen symptoms associated with an ASD diagnosis. Here are some examples of concerns that may result from picky eating habits in your child:

• Limited foods and nutrition sources - An individual with ASD may be sensitive to taste, smell, color, and texture of foods. As a result, they may limit or completely avoid some foods and even entire food groups. Some examples of disliked foods may include strongly flavored foods, fruits & vegetables or certain textures or food consistencies such as slippery or soft foods–think avocados or pumpkin pie. Understanding a diet to help autism can guide you in managing these preferences. 
• Not eating enough - It is not uncommon for kids with autism to have trouble focusing on one task for an extended period of time so having your child sit down and eat an entire meal may be a challenge of its own. Not eating enough means that your child isn't receiving the nutrients they need. A healthy diet for autism can ensure they get the necessary nutrients. 
• Digestive issues - Children with ASD are also more likely to have gastrointestinal (GI) issues such as low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria), constipation, abdominal pain, or diarrhea. Changes in diet may include gradually increasing sources of dietary fiber, food intolerance elimination, adding fruits and vegetables, and even exercise. 

We know more about autism now than ever before, and an important observation is the relationship between autism and nutrition. A growing number of studies suggest that addressing these dietary deficiencies may improve ASD symptoms significantly for your child. In fact, these same studies sparked the idea behind Simple Spectrum Supplement, which aims to support asd and diet considerations.