BY DR. PANCHAJANYA PAUL, MD*
Autism is increasingly common, affecting about one in 31 children in the United States. Children with autism have difficulty expressing feelings, leading to frustration and behaviors like aggression, shouting, or biting, as well as issues with focus, anxiety, and sensory processing.
As a child psychiatrist, I often meet parents who bring children in for unmanageable behaviors, sometimes as young as 6 years old, who are already on multiple psychiatric medications. Two medications, Risperidone and Aripiprazole, are approved for aggression in Autism but have serious long-term side effects like weight gain, high blood pressure, and hormonal changes. To address these challenges, it’s important to consider additional ways to support children with autism.
Here are five foods I gently encourage parents to avoid to support their child’s well-being.
Sugar
Sugar can negatively affect brain function and behavior. Foods high in simple sugars—such as cookies, candy, muffins, cake, and lozenges—can cause blood glucose fluctuations, leading to crankiness and irritability in children. Processed foods often contain high fructose corn syrup, linked to health concerns like obesity and diabetes. Instead, choose whole fruits (apples, bananas, pineapples, grapes, oranges) for natural sugar and fiber that support a stable mood. For sweet treats, opt for unsweetened dried fruits such as dates, mangoes, apricots, or figs. When cooking, replace refined sugars with more natural options like honey, jaggery, or pure maple syrup, but use these in moderation as they still contain sugars.
Wheat
Many children and adults are sensitive to gluten found in wheat, barley, and related grains. Gluten is difficult to digest and may affect behavior, especially in children with autism, possibly causing irritability or hyperactivity. Common sources include muffins, bread, pasta, roti, and pizza. Choose gluten-free alternatives, which are available in many stores but often cost more.
Color Dyes
Be cautious of food color dyes. The US allows many artificial colors, including Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, and Blue 2, which some studies link to hyperactivity or behavioral symptoms in sensitive children. Read labels and avoid these dyes. Choose foods with fewer ingredients, as they are often less processed. Many kids’ foods—such as cereals, candies, soda, snacks, and cookies—contain colors that make them more appealing but may contribute to junk food addiction or behavioral issues.
Seed Oils
Most processed foods are cooked in seed oils such as peanut, canola, soybean, cottonseed, and sunflower oils, all of which are high in omega-6 fatty acids, which may affect neurological function and behavior, especially in children with autism. Instead, use fruit oils such as coconut, avocado, or olive oil for cooking. Healthy animal fat options include grass-fed butter, ghee, or tallow. When shopping, look for labels that specify extra virgin or cold-pressed oils for the highest quality. Sensory issues can make it hard for children with special needs to get enough healthy fats, leading to deficiencies in vitamins A, D, E, and K. Cooking with saturated fats like coconut oil or ghee is an easy way to support fat intake for children with autism, supporting brain and neuron health, and possibly stabilizing neurological activity.
Milk
Finally, beyond oils, milk, a dietary staple, warrants careful consideration. Whole milk is rich in protein and fat, which is healthy for children’s growth. However, the milk protein lactose can be a concern for children with special needs, as many are sensitive or intolerant to it. Commercial pasteurized cow’s milk, especially from grain-fed cows, may make digestion difficult and contribute to behavioral concerns in sensitive children. Replace dairy with other protein sources, such as eggs, fish, or meat. Alternatively, raw A2 cow’s milk from grassfed cows may be easier to digest and supports brain and behavioral health due to probiotics, omega-3s, and healthy fats. Having outlined the key foods to avoid, let’s address some common concerns about food restrictions for children with autism.
After considering foods to avoid, it’s important to remember that many people argue against restricting any foods, noting that many individuals can consume diverse diets and maintain good health. Neurotypical children benefit from a varied diet, which can reduce the impact of the five foods listed. However, autistic children often have selective diets due to sensory issues, making allergies and inflammation more likely over time. Additionally, many have a weaker or leaky gut, increasing vulnerability to food toxins that can cross into the bloodstream. If you suspect a leaky gut, feed your child bone broth to help heal the gut lining, and add fermented foods like sauerkraut or kefir for probiotics.
Looking beyond food, it is crucial to recognize that autism is a lifelong condition. There is currently no medication for the core symptoms of autism, such as speech delay, intellectual delay, sensory issues, and lack of socialization. But the behavioral problems we see in children with autism, like violence, aggression, and hyperactivity, are not permanent. Behavioral challenges can be managed through dietary changes, environmental modifications, and applied behavioral therapy. Food changes will take time to implement, as special needs children often prefer routine and may initially resist any change. Be patient, stay persistent, and introduce one change at a time. Many families notice positive shifts within weeks. Natural food items may be more expensive, but buying them in bulk from big stores or directly from farmers can help make them more economical. However, dietary changes may not be enough for some children, especially those with severe autism or additional conditions. If medication is still needed, please remember this is nothing to feel discouraged about. Any positive food changes can still help reduce irritability and may lower the medication doses required to stabilize behavior.
*Dr. Panchajanya ‘Panch’ Paul, MD, ABIHM, ABPN, FAPA, is an Emory-trained Child and Adult Psychiatrist. He is certified in Holistic medicine and has authored two books: Stress Rescue and Sleep Coaching. Please call 678-851-3512 or email info@hpsych.org to schedule an appointment with Dr.Paul.
