Why do so many autistic children prefer the same ‘unhealthy’ foods?

Just take a look at the image—it says it all. With fruit and vegetables, there’s often no consistency in texture, taste, colour or shape. For children with sensory sensitivities, that unpredictability can be really distressing. It’s easy to see why familiar, uniform foods feel safer and more manageable.

This is just one of the many valuable insights shared by Charlotte on her blog, The Spectrum Nurse. Her latest post explores why many neurodivergent children struggle with eating, and why their food choices so often make sense when you truly understand what’s going on beneath the surface.

It’s about so much more than ‘picky eating’. Charlotte explains how emotions, sensory processing, hormones, interoception (how we sense hunger), and past experiences all play a part. Her blog doesn’t just highlight the challenges—it offers gentle, practical strategies to support our children in a respectful and effective way.

Here are just a few of the supportive tips she offers:
• Consistency helps. Offering familiar foods with predictable textures and flavours can ease anxiety around meals.
• Respect sensory preferences. If your child only eats beige, crunchy, or soft foods, that’s not laziness—it’s communication.
• Make mealtimes calm and pressure-free. Avoid turning food into a battle. Trust that progress will come when your child feels safe.
• Build trust and connection. The goal isn’t to force new foods, but to support a healthy relationship with eating.

Thank you to Charlotte for sharing this compassionate and insightful piece. Her blog is a brilliant resource for parents, carers, and professionals who want to better understand autistic children’s needs around food and hunger.

Read it here


Let’s keep learning, listening, and supporting our children with kindness and curiosity.