While having autism can come along with food aversions, it doesn’t mean you can’t have nutritious and enjoyable meals.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental condition that can affect how a person communicates, learns, and experiences the world. While autism looks different for everyone, many people on the spectrum face unique challenges with food. In fact, research shows that eating differences are common, often linked to sensory sensitivities, strong food preferences, or difficulty recognizing internal cues like hunger.

These challenges can sometimes limit food choices and increase the risk of nutritional gaps. Still, with patience, understanding, and the right strategies, eating can become a more positive and balanced part of life.

Why Eating Can Be Difficult with Autism

Sensory Differences

Taste, smell, and texture are powerful influences on eating. For many autistic people, sensory processing works differently, which can make certain foods overwhelming. Studies show that heightened sensitivity to flavors or textures is one of the most common reasons behind food refusal or avoidance.

Narrow Food Preferences

It’s not unusual for autistic children and adults to prefer a small range of foods. In some cases, this can develop into avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID), where food choices are so limited that they affect health and nutrition. This is often linked to sensory issues, past negative experiences with food, or a lack of interest in eating.

Rigid Eating Patterns

Repetitive behaviors are a natural part of autism, and these can extend to food. Some people may want meals prepared the same way every time, eat at very specific times, or stick to the same few foods. While routines can bring comfort, they may also reduce variety in the diet.

Difficulty Recognizing Hunger or Thirst

Our ability to sense what’s happening inside our body is called interoception. Some autistic individuals may not easily notice when they’re hungry or thirsty, which can make eating patterns irregular or inconsistent.

Strategies to Support Better Eating

Keep a Food Journal

Writing down what you eat — along with when, where, and how it felt — can highlight patterns. Over time, it becomes easier to see which foods work well, which cause discomfort, and where variety might be missing.

Start with Similar Foods

Introducing new foods doesn’t have to mean starting from scratch. A useful approach is to choose foods that share a familiar texture or flavor. For example, someone who enjoys the crunch of potato-based snacks might be open to trying vegetable alternatives prepared in a similar style.

Make Changes Slowly

Adding new foods in small steps prevents overwhelm. Even tiny portions count, and over time, repeated exposure can make unfamiliar foods feel more acceptable.

Work with a Nutrition Professional

If food choices are very limited, or if there are concerns about deficiencies, it may help to consult a nutritionist or dietitian who understands autism. They can suggest realistic adjustments without pressuring drastic changes and may recommend tests to check for nutrient gaps.

Practical Tips for Eating Out

• Choose restaurants with flexible menus.
• Ask about substitutions that fit sensory preferences.
• Stick to familiar options and gradually branch out.

Conclusion

Autism can make eating more complex, but it doesn’t mean healthy or enjoyable meals are out of reach. By recognizing sensory needs, respecting food preferences, and taking gradual steps toward variety, it’s possible to build a diet that supports both nutrition and comfort. With understanding, patience, and the right guidance, mealtimes can become less stressful and more rewarding.

References

1. World Health Organization. Autism spectrum disorders. WHO Fact Sheet. 2022.
2. Cermak, S. A., Curtin, C., & Bandini, L. G. (2010). Food selectivity and sensory sensitivity in children with autism spectrum disorders. Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 110(2), 238–246.
3. Kuschner, E. S., et al. (2015). A preliminary study of self-reported food selectivity in adolescents and young adults with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders, 15-16, 53–59.
4. Norris, M. L., et al. (2016). Prevalence and description of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder in a pediatric tertiary care eating disorder program: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 49(6), 546–554.
5. Craig, A. D. (2015). How do you feel? An interoceptive moment with your neurobiological self. Princeton University Press.
6. Sharp, W. G., et al. (2013). Feeding problems and nutrient intake in children with autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis and comprehensive review of the literature. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 43(9), 2159–2173.