Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Hope and Help for Picky Eaters



Julie Matthews: Autism Nutritionist Expert

Hope and Help for Picky Eaters






I know what you are thinking, "My child is picky and very inflexible with eating new foods. I'm never going to be able to get him to eat anything other than wheat and dairy, and never mind anything 'healthy.'" I also understand that you are really wondering if an autism diet will help your child and their symptoms.I appreciate these concerns. I have had some very picky eaters in my nutrition practice-many children ate only bread and dairy, others subsisted on just pancakes and fries. When the body creates opiates from foods, one can become addicted to them and thus crave nothing but those foods, or when yeast overgrowth is present, a preference for only carbs and sugars can result. Children eventually narrow their food choices to include only those that make them "feel better" (in the short term). It's worth trying diet (whether it's GFCF, SCD, or another) because once the child gets passed the cravings (a few days to a few weeks), they often expand food choices dramatically and it becomes much easier to do. Most of my clients with autism eat limited amounts of vegetables-if any. However, it's also very common that once they apply diet (and the cravings diminish and appetite increases), children begin eating more vegetables (or meat)-often for the first time. In fact, this is the experience with a majority of my clients. Now, there are some children that are very self-limiting, and it takes time to change their diet. But keep at it.

NOTE: Don't remove all foods with the expectation that "if they're hungry, they'll eventually
eat." While this may be true for many children, some have real feeding challenges and may stop eating altogether, which could be very problematic. Add new foods before removing others. Be sure to seek professional guidance from a feeding specialist or qualified clinician if your child won't add any new foods.Addressing picky eating is essential for expanding the diet and implementing an autism diet, but sometimes the diet won't expand until certain foods are removed. Don't let picky eating stop you from implementing an autism diet. Find a few foods your child will eat before implementing a new diet, then after the problematic or addictive foods are removed, expand little by little.

Here are solid reasons why children can be so one-sided in their food choices:

"Addictions" to opiates (gluten/casein) can cause consumption of primarily wheat and dairy containing foods. According to this theory, gluten (wheat) and casein (dairy) when not broken down properly by digestion, create compounds that fit into opioid receptors in the brain and feed opiate (morphine-like) cravings/addictions. The child then becomes restricted to only the foods that fuel this addictive cycle, creating very limited and picky eating.

"Addictions" to chemicals (MSG, artificial additives) can cause restriction to one brand or a strong preference for processed foods. These chemicals can also be addicting like opiates. MSG is known to create "excitement" in the brain by stimulating the glutamate (excitatory) receptor, making food seem to taste much better. Artificial ingredients such as artificial colors and flavors can also affect similar cravings.

Nutrient deficiencies (such as zinc) can make all foods taste bad or bland. When zinc is deficient, a common finding in children with autism, sense of smell is reduced and food tastes boring or unappetizing. Texture can then become an even bigger factor, imagine eating mashed potatoes if you can't taste the potato flavor - a bland mouthful of mush.

Yeast, viral, and microbial overgrowth may cause focus on eating mainly high carb and sugar foods. Yeast and other microbes feast on carbohydrates and sugar. They can actually get their "host" to crave the food that feeds them by giving off chemicals that get kids to crave refined carbs and sugar. This can create self limitation to only these foods.

Sensory sensitivities can result in restriction of foods of certain textures. For children with sensory issues such as tactile and sound sensitivities, food texture can be a big hurdle. Crunchy foods can be too loud, and mushy foods can be intolerable. In these cases, it's advised to seek an occupational therapist or other professional that help you work through these sensory integration challenges. Once you've identified possible causes of your child's finicky eating habits, begin to look for creative ways to address them. Sometimes as occupational therapy or sensory integration begins to address food textures, a child begins to expand more. Until then, get creative and make foods crunchy or smooth based on their preferences. Begin to add new food options such as gluten-free pasta before removing the existing food. Be aware that brand preference, may be because of MSG or other additives that can be addicting and make that food "exciting." Add enough salt to make your versions of their favorites more flavorful--don't go overboard but don't feel you need to limit salt. Be creative with food. Begin to add vegetables where you can and slowly introduce foods slightly different than they have had before. See if you can make food a little different each day--not so much that they reject it, but just enough that they don't expect sameness--and to get in new nutrients. Add purees to pancakes, apple sauce, meatballs, or sauces. Make vegetables crunchy by making carrot chips, sweet potato fries, or vegetable latkes. Hide meat in pancakes. Try mixing or diluting a brand of food/beverage they like with a healthier version in very small amounts until the item is swapped for the new food-this works well for milks, peanut/nut butters, apple sauce and other foods that blend well.

The following are ideas to help picky eaters become introduced to new foods:
Always provide food child likes in addition to one "new" food.
Involve your children in food preparation of "new" food.
Introduce it to them on a separate plate. Don't require them to do anything other than get familiar with it. Consider incorporating the food into therapy or play time.
First have them touch it and lick it without eating it.
Inform them. Let child know whether it is sweet, salty or sour. Eat some yourself and tell them how delicious it is-enlist others at the table to do the same.
Let them chew it and spit it out.
Start with only a small taste ~ 1/2 teaspoon. Let child determine amount.
Try and Try Again! At least 15 times!
Get creative. Try new food in preferred texture - crunchy, smooth.
Avoid being emotionally "attached" - children sense anxiety. Keep mealtime calm. Visualize child eating/enjoying new food.
Avoid forcing or pushing - maintain trust.
Choose rewards or other encouragement.
Make sure whole family participates - serve everyone at the table.
Make it fun!Also, if one parent is or was a picky eater themselves, try having the spouse feed the child. I know it can be frustrating cooking food and having them refuse it, but make sure you don't project that energy of frustration. Children are very sensitive and pick up on these cues. If they don't eat it, don't give in and prepare something completely new. Instead, make sure the meal already includes something they will eat for the meal along with the new food. Or when they are hungry at snack time, try a new food. This is a good time to do so because while they may skip a snack, they will not be going without a main meal, and you won't teach them that if they hold out you will fix them something new. They will also be a little hungrier at dinner and may be more motivated to try something new.Applying healthy diet is an important step to health and healing. Try implementing diet and adding nutritious foods step by step. You can do it-and your child can too! I have seen countless children expand their diet. Once food addictions, texture, and exposure to a new food are addressed, you'll be surprised what your child may eat. Visualize that they can do it. Get creative. Try things in a texture they like. Taste it yourself and make sure it tastes good. I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised when they eat that first vegetable!

The information expressed here comes from Julie's experience as a Certified Nutrition Consultant with clients that are picky eaters and their parents' experiences. Julie is not a feeding specialist. This information in intended to help parents find creative ways to feed their children healthy food. It is not intended to act as or replace professional feeding therapy or medical needs. Parents of children with serious feeding issues should seek professional and medical guidance.

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