Autism and Food Aversion: Creative Solutions for Autism and Food Refusal
If you're a parent or caregiver of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), you're likely familiar with the daily challenges that come with mealtimes. What seems like a simple part of the day for many families can become a source of stress, worry, and even frustration when food aversion or outright refusal is involved.
In this blog post, we’ll dive into the relationship between autism and food aversion/refusal, explore the underlying sensory and medical factors, and offer practical tools and strategies to help your child expand their diet and build a healthier, more enjoyable relationship with food.
What is the relationship between Autism and Food Aversion and Refusal?
For parents of kids with ASD, food aversion and food refusal is a common challenge. In a 2022 study done in Brazil, 75% of the autistic children in the study had fear or resistance related to trying new foods. [1] Another study showed that children with autism were five times more likely to have feeding challenges than their non-ASD peers. [2] These food aversions can not only make mealtimes feel like a struggle, but they can affect nutrition and overall behavior as well.
Sensory Processing Challenges in Autism
Sensory sensitivities can greatly affect eating behaviors, and sensory aversions are especially common in autism. Children who have sensory aversions/sensitivities related to food are typically sensitive to the taste, texture, smell, temperature, or appearance of foods, and this leads some kids to refuse new foods entirely.
In working with parents of children with autism, we see food aversions being a common concern. In a recent study looking at children with ASD, those with sensory sensitivities were more likely to refuse foods, especially vegetables and new foods. [3]
Sensory aversions can be a symptom of sensory processing disorder (SPD), which is where the brain gets “mixed up” and has trouble making sense of all the sensory input it is receiving. This can make kids overly sensitive to new things, or undersensitive, where they seek out more sensory input.
Sometimes SPD can be labeled as “picky eating”, but it's important to note that it is NOT just picky eating. The child isn’t purposely choosing to avoid foods. Their brain is wired differently, and is struggling to process all the sensory information it is being given, which makes adding more sensory input (in the form of new foods) really difficult.
Autism and Food Aversion
So, how can you tell if your child has a food aversion? Here are some signs:
Refusal to eat certain food groups or textures
Has a limited number of preferred foods
Gets upset when a preferred food is changed in some way
Doesn’t like to try new foods
Gags when trying new foods
What are causes of food aversion in autism?
Food aversions can be partly behavioral, but also can be related to underlying medical conditions, especially ones related to the gut, like dysbiosis and constipation. Food aversions can also be a part of SPD, which is a neurological disorder. It’s important to work with a healthcare provider that can help you find the underlying cause, so you can determine the best approach to help your child overcome their food aversions.
What are common autism food aversions?
While food preferences can vary widely, the foods we see kids avoiding most often are vegetables and meats. This could be because of the texture (some veggies and meat can be chewy or mushy), flavor, or appearance. Some kiddos with autism also have low muscle tone, which can make it difficult to eat tougher cuts of meat.
Autism and Food Refusal
Food refusal in autism can look very similar to food aversions. There is often a fear of trying new foods, and children with food refusal will consistently refuse certain foods and textures. They may even be upset by a new food being on their plate or near their plate at mealtimes. Children with food refusal frequently have a very limited number of preferred foods, and even foods they eat one day may be refused the next day.
Here are some possible causes of food refusal in children with autism:
Sensory sensitivities
Behavioral challenges, such as rigidity around food and mealtimes
Medical causes, especially GI issues
Past negative experience with food
Pressure/stress around food or mealtimes
Nutritional Challenges in Kids with Food Aversion and Refusal
In a recent study, picky eaters were found to have significantly lower intake of:
Protein
Folate
Magnesium
Potassium
Zinc
B vitamins
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Picky eaters also were found to not meet the recommended intake for fiber or calcium, and in general consumed less meat, vegetables, and fruit compared to non-picky eaters. [4]
Since children with food aversions and refusals often have even more restricted diets than picky eaters, it is likely their intake of the above mentioned nutrients are even lower, making nutrition even more important.
In a study looking at nutrition intervention in ASD, they found that when the child followed a healthy gluten-free, casein-free, soy-free diet and supplemented with certain nutrients, they saw a significant improvement in autism symptoms and developmental age. [5] This suggests that diet can make an impact for kids with autism and feeding challenges. Finding a dietitian who specializes in autism can be a great first step in improving your child’s diet, especially if they struggle with food aversion and food refusal.
Factors Contributing to Food Aversions and Refusal
You may be wondering why your child is resistant to trying certain foods, or refusing foods altogether. Here are 5 factors that may be influencing a child’s ability to accept new foods:
Sensory issues - Some children with autism are extra sensitive to sensory information, and they may feel overwhelmed by new textures and flavors. These kiddos require a specialized approach to feeding that helps minimize overwhelm and makes trying new foods manageable for them.
Gastrointestinal concerns - Children with autism are at a greater risk for having GI issues, including gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea, which affects their desire to eat. [6]
Low muscle tone - Having low muscle tone in the face, mouth, and jaw can make eating tiring and impact which textures a child is able to easily eat.
Behavioral factors - Anxiety around trying new foods, as well as rigidity in food preferences and desire for sameness all can lead to a limited number of preferred foods.
Environmental influences - Family mealtime dynamics, lack of a routine around meals, external pressures from family or caregivers, and mealtime distractions can all affect a child’s willingness to try new foods.
Strategies for Improving Nutritional Intake
Once you’ve discovered your child has food aversion, food refusal or sensory sensitivities, you may be wondering where to start. Here are some strategies that may help:
Food chaining focuses on building on foods your child already likes, and using them as a bridge to trying a new food. We have an entire blog on food chaining that includes lots of practical ideas and examples.
Behavioral interventions like having clear and consistent mealtime routines can be helpful, especially for kids that prefer structure. Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy could also be used to help modify behaviors related to mealtimes.
Reaching out to a dietitian, feeding specialist, or other provider that specializes in food aversion can provide additional support and help expand your child’s diet. The Nourishing Autism Collective is a great place for additional support and a community of like-minded moms.
Supplements can be a necessary addition until your child is able to consistently eat a wide variety of foods. For more information on what supplements might be the most helpful, here is our complete guide on Supplements for Picky Eaters.
Practical Tips and Tools for Parents and Caregivers
While you’re working to expand your child’s diet, there are some other things you could try to help mealtime be a more positive experience.
Set a consistent mealtime schedule, and if your child is able to read, post it where they can see it. After a while, they’ll know exactly when to expect meals and snacks.
Minimize distractions during meals. Turn off extra noise from screens or music, turn down the lights, put down the curtains if you live on a busy street. The idea is to limit excess stimulation so your child is able to calmly focus on mealtime.
Involve your child in making meals and snacks. Let them help wash fruits and vegetables, give them a kid safe knife and have them help slice fruits, allow them to mix and stir, anything they can developmentally do is fair game. When kids help with foods, even if they won’t eat them, they’re still being familiarized with that food, and will be more likely to try it in the future.
Try arranging food in a fun and engaging way. You could put broccoli “trees” in their mashed potatoes, make heart shaped pancakes, or use bell pepper strips to make a colorful rainbow.
Decide ahead of time how you will handle food refusals. Try to avoid pressuring your child or making a big deal out of your child eating (or not eating). Ideally, you will be neutral at mealtimes, and make mealtime a fun and positive experience. Remember mealtimes are not just about food, they are a great place to connect and bond as a family as well.
Navigating food aversion and refusal in children with autism can feel overwhelming, but you’re not alone. With a combination of patience, consistency, and the right strategies—from food chaining to professional support—you can make meaningful progress. Remember, every small win counts. Celebrate progress, no matter how tiny it seems, and know that positive changes in eating habits can lead to big improvements in your child’s health, development, and quality of life. You’ve got this!
👋 Need help with your child’s nutrition and Selective eating?
Join the Nourishing Autism Collective for expert guidance, a supportive community, and sensory-friendly strategies that actually work.
MEET BRITTYN, THE AUTISM DIETITIAN
Brittyn Coleman is a Registered Dietitian and autism specialist. She helps parents of kids on the spectrum expand their number of accepted foods and maximize their nutrition to help them feel their best & thrive!
You can find her on Instagram at @autismdietitian or on Facebook!
References
[1] de Almeida PC, Zandonadi RP, Nakano EY, Vasconcelos IAL, Botelho RBA. Food Neophobia in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Nationwide Study in Brazil. Children (Basel). 2022 Dec 6;9(12):1907. doi: 10.3390/children9121907. PMID: 36553350; PMCID: PMC9776952.
[2] Sharp W.G., Berry R.C., McCracken C., Nuhu N.N., Marvel E., Saulnier C.A., Klin A., Jones W., Jaquess D.L. Feeding problems and nutrient intake in children with autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis and comprehensive review of the literature. J. Autism Dev. Disord. 2013;43:2159–2173. doi: 10.1007/s10803-013-1771-5.
[3] Chistol LT, Bandini LG, Must A, Phillips S, Cermak SA, Curtin C. Sensory Sensitivity and Food Selectivity in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2018 Feb;48(2):583-591. doi: 10.1007/s10803-017-3340-9. PMID: 29116421; PMCID: PMC6215327.
[4] Gan K, Tithecott C, Neilson L, Seabrook JA, Dworatzek P. Picky Eating Is Associated with Lower Nutrient Intakes from Children's Home-Packed School Lunches. Nutrients. 2021 May 21;13(6):1759. doi: 10.3390/nu13061759. PMID: 34064118; PMCID: PMC8224271.
[5] Adams JB, Audhya T, Geis E, Gehn E, Fimbres V, Pollard EL, Mitchell J, Ingram J, Hellmers R, Laake D, Matthews JS, Li K, Naviaux JC, Naviaux RK, Adams RL, Coleman DM, Quig DW. Comprehensive Nutritional and Dietary Intervention for Autism Spectrum Disorder-A Randomized, Controlled 12-Month Trial. Nutrients. 2018 Mar 17;10(3):369. doi: 10.3390/nu10030369. PMID: 29562612; PMCID: PMC5872787.
[6] Madra M, Ringel R, Margolis KG. Gastrointestinal Issues and Autism Spectrum Disorder. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2020 Jul;29(3):501-513. doi: 10.1016/j.chc.2020.02.005. Epub 2020 Apr 2. PMID: 32471598; PMCID: PMC8608248.
Updated August 2025
