As discussed previously in our post about
picky eaters, mealtime is a huge battle for those on the spectrum. This leaves parents/teachers frustrated and individuals with autism even less apt to try new foods. There are many hurdles so incorporating new ideas and trying a variety of things is important.
Make it an Activity
Having the individual participate in making food is a way to make it more fun and the child can be part of the activity rather than on the 'sidelines'. Snacks and mealtime can be more of a fun learning time.
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Simplify directions - Simple step-by-step instructions using objects/food items, picture or short words depending on the level of understanding.
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Pre-measure - If numbers, fractions, etc are stressful, eliminate that from the cooking task. Measure out items and label bowls so that it will not include any stresses.
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Use Interests - Lots of fun food recipes are available online, beyond what is included below. Make it specific to your child's interest in trains, animals or cars. Use cookie cutters to make letters, dinosaurs, etc. Ice cube trays to mold jello into fun shapes or other foods. Create 'faces' on food with raisins, pepper strips, marshmallows, etc.
Visually Appealing Recipes
The Internet is a source of great recipes. Visually appealing food can make it more interesting to kids and hopefully catch their interest enough to give a try. Here are a few a the fun recipes we have found:
Cheesy Chums (http://www.familyfun.go.com/)
Ingredients
- mini cheese round (such as Babybel)
- small pieces of red bell pepper, scallions, carrot, and olives
- Use a sharp knife (an adult's job) to trim the wax covering from a mini cheese round, then add facial features with small pieces of red bell pepper, scallions, carrot, and olives*. Serve with a short stack of whole wheat crackers.
Tips: We used cocktail straws and drinking straws to punch round eyes from olive halves.
- Ingredients
- 2 bell peppers
- Dip or hummus
- For the octopus's body, remove the pepper's stem end and scoop out the white ribs and seeds. For the arms, slice a second pepper into strips.
- Place some dip or hummus (we used French onion dip) in a shallow bowl, and arrange the octopus as shown. Use a bit of dip and sliced black olives to give your creature eyes.
- Serve with extra veggies, such as carrot sticks, fresh green beans, lightly steamed broccoli spears, sliced cucumber, and jicama sticks.
Breakfast Smiles
Breakfast for lunch or dinner is also an option.
Use eggs, fruit (of your choice) and meat (bacon, sausage, ham)
6 Flour Tortillas
2 cups shredded Cheddar
Cheese 1 cup diced, cooked ham or 6 slices of ham lunch meat
1/4 cup sliced green onions (optional)
Remove tortillas from refrigerator. Let stand at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Preheat oven to 375° F.
Place shredded cheese, ham and green onions, if desired, onto bottom half of tortillas. Fold tortillas in half over filling.
Place folded tortillas on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake 8-10 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and the cheese is melted. To serve, cut in half for triangles or use cookie cutters for fun shapes.
4 cups broccoli florets
8 oz Tri-Color Fusilli (about half bag)
3 TB unsalted butter
2 TB all-purpose flour
2 cups whole milk
pinch black pepper
pinch cayenne pepper
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
*Warm Cinnamon Pear Compote
2 ripe pears, peeled, cored, and diced
1/4 cup raisins
1/3 cup organic apple juice
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
pinch ground nutmeg
2 tsp butter (optional)
1 TB cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
black pepper
To prepare the Macaroni and Trees
Preheat the broiler. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add broccoli, return to a boil and cook, uncovered, until al dente, about 4 minutes. Remove broccoli with a slotted spoon, leaving the water in the pot. Boil the pasta in the reserved water until just tender, about 10 minutes. Drain.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook gently for about 1 minute. Whisk milk, salt, pepper and cayenne. Bring milk mixture to a simmer, reduce the heat, and cook for about 5 minutes until mixture thickens. Stir in two thirds of the cheese. When the cheese is melted, remove saucepan from heat and set aside.
In 2 quart, ovenproof dish, combine the pasta with two-thirds of the cheese sauce. Add the broccoli to the remaining cheese sauce in the saucepan. Encircle the pasta in the dish with a border of the broccoli. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top and broil for about 3 minutes, until cheese begins to bubble.
To prepare compote
Combine pears, raisins, apple juice, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter in a small saucepan. Cook, uncovered over medium heat, about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add vinegar and black pepper and continue to cook about 5 more minutes until juice is reduced and pears begin to fall apart. Cool 5 minutes. Serve on the side with Macaroni and Trees.
Serves 4
