How to Introduce New Foods to Picky Eaters with Autism

Picture your least favorite food. Now imagine someone trying to convince you to eat it, to the point they even try to put it in your mouth. What would you do?

For children with autism, picky eating is a common trait, but it goes beyond “pickiness” and into food aversion. In their minds, every new food is like your least favorite one — it’s already unacceptable, although they’ve never tried it.

The key to introducing new foods to picky eaters with autism is to do so strategically. Here, we’ll share some popular tips that other parents and experts have used to get their selective little ones to try unknown dishes.

 

Make Sure There’s Nothing Medical Going On

Refusing to eat doesn’t always equate to being stubborn. But many children, particularly when they have autism, may not know how to verbalize medical issues like stomach aches. What they do know is that when they eat a specific food, they don’t feel well, so they shut down when offered something that reminds them of it. 

Signs of gastrointestinal distress, like stomachaches, can be behavioral, nonverbal, or visible. Talk to your child’s pediatrician if you think there’s more to their picky eating than being choosy about food.

 

Keep it Slow and Simple

Children with food sensitivities related to autism may need to sample a particular food dozens of times before deciding whether to eat it without complaining. If they’re willing to nibble it, then set it aside; that’s a win! But don’t give up on that food entirely. Keep exposing them to it, especially if it’s healthy, multiple times. The third time might not be the charm, but the thirteenth might be!

No matter what they choose to eat or not eat, stay calm and patient. Avoid forcing them to chew and swallow, as this creates a negative sensory experience around that food, even if they like it. Instead, help them describe the food, using sensory details like color, texture, shape, and taste. (This article by BehaviorSpan explains other autism-friendly sensory activities to use with your little one, too.) Then, when they’re curious enough, let them bite into it — what does it sound like?

Try mixing the new food with familiar comfort foods, or let your child smell and lick the unknown item if they aren’t willing to bite into it right away. Patience and creativity can overcome many of the pickiest mouths, but sometimes, they just don’t like the food, and that’s okay, too.

 

Learn Your Child’s Sensitivities

Texture hypersensitivity is a frequent part of autism. With food, this means that even if your child thinks something tastes good, they may not like how it feels.

As you try new items, pay attention to the likes and dislikes and what they have in common. Your child might absolutely say no to anything that feels “squishy” or “slimy.” That aversion helps you to know that cucumbers and zucchini are likely off the menu. Instead of serving them raw or alone, blend them with other foods to get rid of the texture issue. 

Some children have another sensitivity — to choices. They need to have an option to agree to eat a new food. This helps them feel a little control in an unknown situation. If this sounds like your child, try to find ways to let them have that freedom: Would you like to try a new vegetable or a new fruit? Or serve different types of foods and let them choose what they want, within your structure (you must eat at least five bites of veggies and ten of proteins, as an example).

No one likes to feel out of control, but children often do. When they can’t express that feeling, it can trigger them to act out and rebel against the new foods you’re trying to get them to eat.

Conclusion

The rule “You can’t eat dessert until you eat dinner” sounds reasonable until you’re dealing with a picky eater with autism. Then, it’s easy to consider giving in and letting them eat their favorite sweets all day long. But nutrition is crucial in a growing body and mind, especially for someone with autism, where consistency and stability are so important. 

Take it slowly when introducing new foods to your little one. Look at it as an experiment — how many attempts does it take before they decide Brussels sprouts really aren’t that bad? Is it tomatoes they don’t like, or is it all slimy-textured foods?

Learn their sensitivities and work around them instead of fighting them. The result will be more willingness to try new things from your child, and a more peaceful dinner table for everyone.