World Autism Month: eating for autism
Harmelia-based dietitian Michelle McDermott shared more about autism nutrition and food-related tips to the disorder.
World Autism Awareness Day in April yearly shines a light on autism, with the aim of developing world knowledge of autism and stress the importance of early diagnosis and intervention.
In Germiston, Harmelia-based dietitian Michelle McDermott shared more about autism nutrition and food-related tips. Michelle has practised diet science for 12 years and works with patients both in and out of the hospital.
“I grew up in the East Rand and attended Edenvale High School.”
After studying dietetics at the University of Pretoria, she settled back in Edenvale.
“In addition to being a dietitian, I am a qualified chef and I am working on my masters in therapeutic nutrition through the University of Stellenbosch. “When I’m not in the practice I’m a mom to a busy two-year-old. You can find us either in the garden or on a hike,” said the dietitian.
She said she chose to study dietetics because of her love for food.
“I bring the science of nutrition and the art of food together with practical application for my patients.”
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Michelle explained ASD is a complex developmental and neurological condition that typically appears during the first three years of life.
“Brain function, particularly in the areas of social interaction and communication skills, are affected.”
She said symptoms include delayed communication, difficulty in social situations, repetitive behaviour and limitation in activities of interest.
“The way ASD affects an individual can vary from person to person and the type and severity of the symptoms can vary.”
Due to the behavioural symptoms, eating habits and food choices can be affected, leading to the following concerns, according to Michelle:
• Limited food selection or strong dislikes and aversions to foods
• Sensitivity to food colour, tastes, textures or temperature. This can create mass anxiety at mealtimes and very picky eaters.
• Difficulty to focus at mealtimes and therefore rushing meals and not eating enough
• Limited intake of food and fluid and food aversions can cause abdominal issues, often constipation.
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• Medication and nutrient interactions, including loss of appetite, can compromise intake and growth.
“Certain medications also have drug-nutrient interactions that may need to be addressed through supplementation to avoid deficiencies,” said the dietitian.
Nutrition and ASD, what to aim for
• Improve digestion and reduce abdominal symptoms through adequate intake of fibre from fruits, vegetables, chickpeas, legumes and whole grains.
• Probiotics have shown some benefit.
• Optimal fluid intake will also reduce abdominal symptoms.
• Balance blood glucose levels by offering small regular snacks and limiting refined sugary carbohydrates, including carbonated drinks, sweets, sugary snacks and refined starches ( white bread, pastries, biscuits, refined noodles or cereals).
• Increase omega three rich foods, including flaxseed, salmon, trout, pilchards, sardines and soybean oil. Omega three acts as a natural anti-inflammatory.
• Increase overall vitamin and mineral intake through food-based sources, such as fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, nuts, and limit processed foods.
• Consider elimination diets only when needed, for example, in confirmed allergies.
• Correct nutritional deficiencies with food sources and supplementation where necessary and based on symptoms and blood testing. High-dose supplementation of any single vitamin, mineral or natural compound is not recommended.
Meal plan
“As with all treatments for ASD, a meal plan needs to be individualised and specifically calculated to meet all nutritional needs and encourage and support optimal intake rather than creating more anxiety regarding food,” said Michelle.
Points to consider supporting optimal nutrition in a child with ASD include:
• Encourage involvement in food choices, selection, preparation, cooking and introduce new foods in a calm environment. If your child doesn’t eat it, it is okay, keep trying.
• Make mealtimes a routine with a set schedule, serving meals in the same way, at the same table or area and in a calm environment. This reduced anxiety and stress when eating and can encourage intake.
• Work with what you have. You should encourage nutritional variety and optimal food choices from the food groups your child will eat.
“The goals of a meal plan for a child with ASD would include optimal growth and weight management, avoiding vitamin and mineral deficiencies and toxicities and to encourage enjoyment of food and reducing anxiety with food.”
Michelle added there are claims that some patients with ASD who follow a gluten-free and casein-free (GFCF) elimination diet may experience beneficial effects and a reduction of symptoms, especially abdominal symptoms.
Gluten – a type of protein found in wheat, rye, barley and casein – is a protein found in milk and dairy products. However, Michelle said there are very limited scientific studies to fully support the GFCF approach.
“Any restrictive diets require careful planning to make sure the child’s needs are met.” She said in the management of ASD, it is recommended to work with a dietitian as part of the multidisciplinary team. “A nutritional assessment, counselling and proper education before making any drastic changes to your child’s meal plan are recommended as there can be side-effects and potential nutrient shortfalls due to the eliminations. “The main ingredient needed in the meal plan of a patient with ASD is patience.”
For more information, contact Michelle at michelle@dietscience.co.za or visit the website.
Contact the newsroom by emailing: Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.
