Parents ask me…
Straight answers to the questions I hear most from parents of autistic children and picky eaters.
My child eats only five foods. Where do I start?Don't be strict, because pressure makes mealtimes messier and harder. Keep your child's safe foods, and bring in one new food slowly: first it just sits on the plate, then you eat it in front of them, then they play with it, lick it and taste it.Read the answer →Is high-protein food good for a hyperactive child?Protein on its own isn't the answer, and neither is cutting out carbohydrates. What matters is how the plate is put together: rice with rajma, some vegetables and a little ghee gives steadier energy than a bowl of plain rice.Read the answer →What if my child won't eat green vegetables?The goal isn't green vegetables as such, it's the vitamins and minerals they bring. Blend vegetables into foods your child already eats, like dal, and keep a little of the vegetable on the plate where they can see it.Read the answer →Does a gluten-free, casein-free diet help autism?A gluten-free, casein-free (GFCF) diet does not cure autism; that idea is a myth. If a child has gut problems, I may take gluten and casein out for a short time while we work on the gut, and then bring those foods back.Read the answer →Why does my child refuse the same food in a new packet?Usually it isn't the food itself, because the taste and texture haven't changed. It's about sameness: many children, especially autistic children, feel safest when things look exactly as they expect, and a new packet looks like a new food.Read the answer →Does milk cause hyperactivity?Milk itself doesn't cause hyperactivity. The trouble starts when milk takes the place of food: 3 to 4 glasses a day can leave a child with no room for meals, short of nutrients, and still hungry.Read the answer →Should I stop sugar and outside food completely? Can my child eat ice cream?Not completely. Cut down on sugary and outside food so you don't rely on them. Sugar from fruit is fine, and so is a little sugar in milk, kheer or everyday home cooking. Keep shop-bought ice cream for rare treats; homemade ice cream twice a week is fine.Read the answer →