Dietary Suggestions for Sensory/Autism Kids

My first suggestion is speaking with a nutritionist. They should be full of nutritious ideas and very helpful with your difficult meal planning. I would imagine due to her current low interest in food, you need to offer calorie dense foods like bacon, steak, lactose free cream on the pasta.

Have you tried much ethnic food? I think Korean ribs called Galbi (or Kalbi) or their Bulgogi's, which essentially are meats marinated in terriyaki flavors, a little different though, would be tasty for her.

Also Indian curries over rice would be an option. They would be spicy and colorful and tasty.

Does she want spicy food all the time or just as an exploration exercise?

I had a family over recently who's daughter has autism and she loved a red cabbage salad made with the raspberry salad dressing from the refrigerator section. I had to make a second bowl b/c she ate most of it.
It is just finely sliced red cabbage tossed with the dressing. My kids love it too.

Also, she loved my fish cakes.

1 package imitation crab meat, shredded
1 egg, beaten
1 T flour
2 green onions, finely sliced

Mix altogether and drop by spoonfuls on preheated, slightly greased pan. Flip like a pancake. Loaded with healthy protein and warm.

What about Chicken Mole? It has many of the ingredients you listed above? Try this slow cooker one:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Slow-Cooker-Chicken-Mole-2/D...

GL!

It sounds like she is most comfortable if the meal involves carbs and it also sounds like she prefers soft textures. Have you tried sloppy joes, shredded barbecue chicken or pork on soft bun or biscuit, city chicken legs, chicken quesadilla's, soup burgers (mix a can of vegetable soup with browned ground round and serve on toast points), beef and cabbage pie, prime rib is very soft (my autistic grand daughter likes prime rib and she has limited foods). Maybe it would help if you made it look like a pizza putting almost any of the above on a pizza crust. Also, trying to follow her staple of pb and nutella - you could make stuffed french toast by dipping the sandwich in egg (with a pinch of sugar and cinnamon) and frying. How about mashed sweet potatoes? My grand daughter likes sweet things, too, so she'll eat sweet potato pie and carrot souffle. If she likes stuffing, maybe you could make stuffed zucchini's. If she likes peas, maybe she would like HM pea soup? It really sounds like you are doing pretty good - it's a good list although I'm sure it is frustrating and worrisome for you. Just keep offering alternatives along with her favorites and maybe she will slowly expand.

Oh, and you could try crepes. Fill with nutella and raspberries or bananas and if she likes you can even expand from sweet to savory and fill with hot dog bits and cheese, then other small pieces of meat and cheese. Premade crepes are available at a lot of stores now.

Have you tried making your own pizza at home with her? Kids love helping with dinner, so make the dough (so you know what is it it) and throw on some toppings (whatever she can have; certain types of cheese, olives, bell peppers, onions).

Can she eat meat? If so, tried a broth based creamed chicken. I have an awesome recipe for a creamed chicken if you want to try it. I put it in my chicken pot pies, which also is fairly easy to make and really good it that sounds like that can work. You can make lasagna pretty easily, too. All of these things she can help you make, which might get her to want to eat it if she is involved.

Good luck!!

EDIT- I just came across an amazing calzone recipe that is super easy to make with no milk and meat is optional. The filling can be anything from tomatos to spinach, artichoke hearts to olives.

Also, does she like salmon patties? Or maybe some lemon/ garlic talapia?

For awhile, my grandson, who has sensory issues, ate almost anything with ketchup. From you list I think that your daughter has a wide range of acceptable food. I wouldn't worry about her not being willing to eat everything.

Your daughter is eating more different foods than most kids that age. Why not relax? She's eating just fine!

Can she have lasagna (traditional or veggie) or baked ziti? Not sure if she can tolerate riccota. Does she like eggs in any form... omelets? Pancakes?
How about egg noodles?
Have you tried going to allrecipes.com and putting some ingredient you know she likes in the search?

Have you checked out the picky eaters section of the sensory processing website? Thought I'd include it, just in case.

http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.com/picky-eaters.html

Hope it helps!
Hang in there- you're a great mom! =o)

My son is on the spectrum and a very picky eater without having any food sensitivities. He's 10 - the list of what he is willing to eat is very small. We have been looking for an ABA based feeding program, but insurance will not cover the cost. All I can say is hang in there and keep trying. When I finally got burned out on the constant food refusal and unable to think of new acceptable foods for him to try, he did regress into refusing unique foods completely. So you are not alone - it is a tough road! Make sure to offer a variety of food textures when you can so the diet does not turn into crunchy foods only or all mushy foods - that's part of the sensory piece. HTH

I would continue to seek new ideas, maybe you and your daughter could look at receipts together and continue to try new ideas. I would supplement her diet with a meal replacement and supplements. The best products are to try the Meal Shake that comes in Bavarian Cocoa and Vanilla, plus a mutli-vitamin and mineral. Try the following products to see if that helps they are the best on the market with the science behind it to back it.

Visit website: http://www.choice-wellness.myshaklee.com

Meal Shake, Mighty Smarts, Incredivites and OptiFora (probiotics) is what I would suggest. Maybe EQ Gest if she is dificient in digestive enzymes.

Hope this helps

I just got the Immuno 1 bloodprint test done to test for food sensitivities that can aggravate certain conditions--one of them being Autism. I honestly don't know very much about it, and I don't think they are claiming to be able to cure something like that, but just wanted to let you know about it. Have you heard of Toxic Food Syndrome? The blood test tells you which foods may be toxic to your body and if you eliminate those foods, it can really help. This in no way answers your question (sorry!), but you sound like a concerned mom who would be interested in something like this, so I just wanted to let you know :) It's really interesting--my chiropractor told me about it. It has cured my husbands frequent migraines. Good luck, and if you have any questions let me know.