Anyone else have issues with food?

[LittlemissMama67]

my Daughter is 2, 3 and May she is autistic and we're on a waiting list to see a dietician.. she won't anything that isn't beige. This is a typical dinner for her, it's what she's having tonight. Anyone been through this and has any ideas of healthy foods that she might eat. Trying anything new is often in vein but I'm willing to try.

please don't be rude to me, I'm trying my best. I already feel like a terrible mum.

she's got 2 peppa pig potato shapes, yogurt covered starberrh drops, chive sun crisps and 2 peices of short bread, and obviously the smoothie, she will likely have a yogurt afterwards

Can you distract her with a video whilst introducing new food? The videos will bring in another level of issues, but might help with nutrition…Also covering the food with yogurt, if she eats plain yogurt ( curry with yogurt maybe)? Ideas of healthy beige food: egg whites in a boiled egg, honey roasted tofu, parsnip? Good luck

You mustn't blame yourself. It can be incredibly hard. My son is 8 and autistic and a very fussy eater too. I think eggs would be a good source of protein - you could make pancakes at home? I do these for breakfast sometimes- they are beige and at least even with just sugar on then your daughter would be eating the egg. We use xylitol; a slightly healthier sugar alternative as he likes it generously sprinkled! Would she eat banana and have home made banana smoothies? I was also told that not making eating in any way pressured, letting the child feel in control, and putting little bits of food around the house for them to graze on is a good idea - plus a tasting plate at the table, just there - again with no pressure. Hummous and breadsticks? Have lots of bits for you all when you sit down for a meal - eventually after very many tries apparently a child may accept a new food, but it takes far, far longer for neurodiverse children to accept things. If you read up around ARFID that may help too. I know how tricky it is - it's obvious you're trying really hard! Some autistic children will only eat for instance one brand of crisps and nothing else, so your daughter's diet may not be as dire as you think....

Thankyou for your replies! I have an appointment with her health visitor on the 12th and I'm 2 days into creating a food diary for her to oversee, when it's all written down she does actually eat a fair amount in a day it's just not all that healthy. I'll give egg a go

Personally I'd try and though in birds eye chicken dippers / fish fingers etc for protein or a slice of pizza with cheese on.

Afrid that's a condition look it up

We have 15 safe foods - what about carrot sticks / cucumber or baked beans ... that goes round and that is it.

Plus sliced apple / banana / pears - that's my boys favourite ? Will yours eat it

Don't worry as long as they are eating that's all that matters 🥰

Eggs my boys thinks they are weird - he is yet to try one even at 9 yrs old 😂

My Ds (ASD) didn't eat AT ALL until he was around 2. I mean literally nothing. He only drank milk. There was talk of him having to be fed via a tube everyone was so concerned.
He is now 13 and his diet still isn't great but he will eat a range of foods (providing they don't touch on the plate!).

Compared to my DS, I would say your DD is doing brillantly well! I know it's hard not to worry. The specialist dieticians we saw said that you'd be amazed by how little some ASD kids seem to survive on. They were working with a child who ate 8 yogurts a day and that was it (and only of one flavour).

If/when you do see a dietician, they may want to take bloods to check your DD's iron levels. They may also prescribe a multi vitamin. My DS wouldn't take it though, even in liquid form.

My DS also still likes 'beige' food and food that's processed/shop bought. I think it's because it's always 'the same' - unlike with homemade food that may change in terms of cooking/presentation.

We were advised - don't make food a battle. Leave out 'new' foods for them to try but don't comment/force them to try it. Interestingly, my DS would try new foods at his grandmas/at nursery but not at home. His paediatrician said that sometimes does happen with kids with autism. They will try/do things in different settings.

There wasn't one 'eureka' moment with my DS. I think not making meal times stressful or putting pressure definitely helped. Although 'helpful' family suggestions were anything but - that's another story though! It can be really hard to see other DC eating a range of food and dealing with looks/comments from others.

Things will improve.

Thankyou so much