Ever wonder how foods affect our behaviors as moms with kids with ASD?

As moms of kids with Asperger’s and neuro-divergence’ it's essential to understand how certain foods can potentially impact both our children's behavior and even more so how food impacts our own well-being.

Here's a general overview of what research says about how foods may affect our kids’ behaviors:

Sensory Sensitivities: Just like our kiddos, we grown-ups can also feel overwhelmed by strong flavors, weird textures, or pungent smells in foods. Imagine trying to enjoy a meal while feeling like you're in a sensory overload! By modeling a balanced approach to food, we can create a more pleasant eating environment for the whole family. There may still be tantrums, but at least they won’t be yours.

Food Allergies and Intolerances: If our children have food sensitivities, it's vital f to pay attention to what's on the menu. Ingredients like gluten, dairy, and artificial additives can not only upset our little ones' tummies but might also cause discomfort for us if we're sensitive too. Good news is: there are plenty of alternatives out there these days.

Nutritional Deficiencies: Prioritizing your own nutrition ensures you have the energy and clarity of mind to support your children effectively. A balanced diet helps keep mood swings, fatigue, and cognitive issues at bay—for both us and our little ones. Your body knows what it needs. Listen to it.

Blood Sugar Rollercoaster: Ever felt like your energy levels were on a wild ride after a sugary snack? Those blood sugar spikes and crashes don't just affect our kids' behavior; they can leave you feeling drained and stressed out too!

By setting an example with healthy eating habits, you can help regulate your own energy levels and create a calmer atmosphere at home. Did you know: Ten red grapes have 16 grams of sugar, and one oz (a bite of a candy bar) has 12 Grams of sugar?

Gut-Brain Connection: There's a special link between gut health and brain function. If things aren't quite right in the tummy, it can mess with mood, energy, and behavior.

This is the area that affected my daughter on a constant basis. It is often referred to as “Leaky Gut.” It caused her pain and misery and all she wanted to do was sleep.

It’s important to observe how different foods and dietary patterns impact your children's behavior and well-being. However it is critically more important to have a personal understanding of how it all connects to yourself first.

In my journey, I've discovered the importance of tuning into my own relationship with food before understanding its impact on my children. It was only by becoming aware of how certain foods made me feel that I could truly empathize with how they affected my kids.

Greasy foods often left my stomach aching, while the consumption of fast food made me feel sluggish and overwhelmed. Additionally, sugary treats would exacerbate the underlying inflammation and pain in my body, particularly arthritis. It was as if sugar acted as a trigger, causing my pain to flare up unexpectedly. These personal experiences have helped me recognize the profound connection between diet and well-being, guiding me to make healthier choices for both myself and my children.

For my daughter, every meal became a potential source of discomfort as we discovered that many foods were causing her stomach pain. It was a journey of elimination and reintroduction, carefully adding back one food at a time to find what worked best for her or triggered her.

Meanwhile, my son's voracious appetite often left us scrambling to keep up with his cravings for large quantities of food. We found that keeping the pantry stocked with smaller, healthier options made a significant difference in managing his appetite.

As my kids have grown into adulthood, both have continued to develop a deeper understanding of their relationship with food. However, this newfound connection didn't happen by chance. It required patience, empathy, and a lot of trial and error to help them navigate their dietary preferences and needs.

Here are 4 tips that helped change my relationship with food.
1. Keeping a food journal,
2. Experimenting with elimination diets under the guidance of a healthcare professional, and
3. Prioritizing nutrient-dense, whole foods can help promote optimal health for myself as well as support positive behaviors in my children.
4. Stocking the fridge and cabinets with “whole foods” as much as possible. As my Sis, the Registered Dietitian, says, you have to eat foods that are Bio-efficient so your body knows what to do.

Trust me, I have learned that when my body hurts — to think about what I ate to cause it.

Just remember practicing self-care, managing stress levels, and seeking support from healthcare providers, nutritionists, and other parents can empower us to make informed decisions and navigate the complex relationship between food and behavior for ourselves and for our families.

You may already have a wonderful connection with food. So I invite you to continue to share your wisdom on our FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/momswithkidswithaspergers/
Remember Mom, when you take care of yourself, you create a ripple effect in every area of your life AND your family's life
.
I guide Moms over personal hurdles and obstacles to create more calm, decrease burnout and experience more loving and joyful family life.

Learn more here: https://www.cecilybest.com/

​