Diet in Autism Spectrum Disorder

Parents of autistic children are increasingly claiming that gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) diets have been beneficial for their child. The theory goes that both gluten (found in wheat, barley and rye) and casein (found in milk and dairy products) hinder the child’s ability to use folate, a vital nutrient for brain development that autistic children are often found deficient in anyway. Also, gluten contains high amounts of a protein called zonulin that modulates permeability of the digestive tract. Too much gluten, and hence zonulin, it is claimed, contribute to a condition called “leaky gut”. Increased permeability in the digestive tract leads to food reactions of the children, and they become sensitive to the food they eat.

These parents report choosing millets and rice instead of wheat, barley and rye; and soy products instead of dairy products.

(Read more: Gluten-free foods)

However, there still isn’t sufficient empirical medical evidence to support the claim. A 2015 survey of the medical evidence available on the subject was published in the journal Nutrition and Dietary Supplements. It found that “strong empirical support for the GFCF diet in ASD is currently lacking”. But it did suggest that more work on the subject is merited to settle the debate.

Some clinicians warn against adopting restrictive diets in the absence of reliable evidence. A GFCF diet cuts out grains, dairy and other foods containing gluten and casein. These foods are good for the developmental needs of children. Cutting them or others out could lead to nutritional deficiencies.

If you choose to opt for GFCF or any other restrictive diet for your child, discuss this with your doctor first. They will guide you through the benefits and risks of these.

Foods rich in vitamin B6, C, D, magnesium, and others help fulfil the nutritional requirements in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and reduce related complications. Here they are:

Vitamin B6 and Magnesium-rich foods

Vitamin B6 and magnesium-rich foods were first reported to improve speech and language in children diagnosed with ASD. To try this out, you can give your child fish, peanuts, soybeans, wheat germ, oats, and bananas for vitamin B6. For magnesium, almonds, spinach, cashews, pumpkin seeds, black beans, dark chocolate (60-69%), peanut butter, bread, avocado, potato, and brown rice are helpful. 

Foods with Vitamin C And Zinc

An increased risk of autism in the foetus has been reported in mothers who are deficient in zinc and vitamin C. Furthermore, if an autistic child is deficient in these two nutrients, it can worsen their condition. So, adding foods rich in zinc and vitamin C to your child’s diet may help. Rich sources of vitamin C include pineapples, oranges, grapes, lemon, papayas, and broccoli. Zinc-rich foods include legumes, seeds, and eggs.

Give Omega-3 Fatty Acids and vitamin D

According to a study published in the journal Trials, “there is strong mechanistic evidence to suggest that vitamin D and omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFAs), specifically docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), have the potential to significantly improve the symptoms of autism spectrum disorder.” Foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids are considered to be very good brain foods. Try to give walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseeds, soya beans, cod liver oil, salmon to your child to fulfil the requirements of these nutrients.

Probiotic-rich foods

Gastrointestinal problems are commonly observed in autistic children. Including probiotics in the diet can help with these problems as they contain healthy bacteria, which have a positive impact on gut microbiota. Having probiotics regularly will help with the child’s stools. Examples of such foods are curd, fermented foods, idli, and dhokla.

Autistic children are selective about food, which can cause vitamin and nutrient deficiency. Low intake of calcium and protein is very common in autistic children. It causes bone problems and improper mental development. Making your child eat vegetables and fruits is anyway a tough task for parents. If you are not able to give sufficient nutrients through diet to the child, discuss nutritional supplements with your nutritionist.

Multiple eating and nutrition challenges are common in children with ASD. Moreover, the features of the disease make it challenging to identify and address these problems. Here are some of the typical dietary challenges and how to manage them:

Food sensitivities, dislikes and limited choices

A child with ASD may be sensitive to a variety of foods, which may lead to them missing out on essential nutrition. In extreme cases, entire food groups could go missing from their diet. Such sensitivity may be to the texture, smell, or taste of the foods. So, try to add such foods in hidden form in their favourite dishes to fulfil their nutritional requirements.

Keep a close eye on sugar intake

Autistic children tend to exhibit symptoms of ADHD. If that’s the case for your child, you may want to watch their sugar intake. Excessive sugar in the diet can lead to hyperactivity and adversely affect the child. Cut back on unhealthy drinks and food preservatives to prevent a blood sugar spike in your child.

Constipation due to diet

While not universal, constipation is a common occurrence in children with ASD. This may happen due to their restricted food choices, insufficient water intake, or even due to feeling anxiety in toilets. However, constipation is fairly easy to address by increasing fibre-rich foods in their diet, and ensuring adequate intake of fluids. It’s also important to encourage your child to increase their physical activity.

(Read more: How to get rid of constipation)

Decreased appetite due to medication

In addition to the problems with food choices discussed above, some medicines used with autism may also lower or disturb a child’s appetite. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies. If your doctor has recommended medicines for your child, please discuss with them if these medicines are likely to have any adverse dietary effects.

(Read more: How to increase appetite in kids)

This is a sample diet plan for someone with autism spectrum disorder. Of course, your child may not like some or many of the foods suggested here. In such a case, you should discuss alternative food options with your nutritionist. Your input into the diet plan will be vital as nobody would understand your child’s food preferences as well as you do.

• Early morning: water (1 glass) + almonds (5-6) + walnuts (3-4)
• Breakfast: paneer sandwich (2) + cocoa almond milk (1 glass)
• Mid meal: papaya (1 bowl ) / orange juice (1 glass)
• Lunch: pea pulao (1 bowl) + rajma (1 bowl) + any seasonal vegetable (1 bowl)
• Evening tea: kala chana chaat (1 bowl)
• Dinner: vegetable soup (1 bowl) + millet chapati (2) + vegetable kofta (1 bowl)
• Bedtime: soy milk (1 glass)