Issues with food and drink are extremely common with autism but what do you do when your autistic child craving sugar?

In the below article we explore the craving and provide a few suggestions as to how you can handle it.

Autism and wanting sugar

For those of us navigating the path with an autistic child, the journey can bring its own set of twists and turns.

One aspect that may resonate with many parents is the craving for sugar that some autistic children experience.

What may be behind the cravings?

Many autistic children have heightened or altered taste perceptions.

This can wind up making certain textures and flavors more appealing.

Sweetness, being a familiar and comforting taste, can become a source of solace for some autistic children.

It offers an oral sensory experience that brings a sense of calm and familiarity.

Getting a little bit geeky now, according to studies sugar can also stimulate the production of serotonin.

This is a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation.

Why is this relevant to a child with autism?

Autistic kids may have differences in serotonin levels, and the consumption of sugary foods can temporarily boost serotonin, providing a momentary mood lift.

So in short sugar can make them happy (not limited to those with ASD!).

What about thresholds for rewards?

Another possible explanation for the link between sugar cravings and autism is that people with autism may have a different sensitivity to sugar than people without autism.

For example, people with autism may have a lower threshold for the rewarding effects of sugar.

This could lead them to crave sugar more often.

Additionally, people with autism may have a harder time regulating their blood sugar levels, which could lead to sugar crashes and increased cravings.

General diet limitations

Diet limitations in general in autistic children are common.

Some children will just eat a particular colour food, others have preferred textures.

This rigid preferences often stem from sensory sensitivities also leading to aversions to certain foods, textures, and smells.

These fixed preferences end up making diverse food options challenging.

So with the craving for sugar it is possible that sweet foods have just fallen in a child’s limited range of rigid preferences.

Or is it normal for kids to crave sugar?

One parent commented on a recent article stating that it is easy to place too much responsibility on autism.

Taking that feedback into consideration it’s worth exploring if we are doing so here.

It is of course worth noting that nearly all children have a strong preference for sweet foods.

But we would maintain, from experience that an autistic child craving salt is a stronger pull than neuro-typical.

It is likely due to the above mentioned rigid preferences, fondness of routine and sensory factors but just in general the desire seems greater.

A study, published in the journal “Frontiers in Psychology”, found that adults with autism were more likely to have a sweet tooth than adults without autism.

This does suggest there is some science behind the cravings.

What can parents do about the sugar cravings?

Starting with the usual caveat in that every child is different and what works for one won’t work for all, here are some things to try.

Establish when and where

Begin by observing when your child tends to crave sugar.

Is it during moments of stress, change, or sensory overload?

Identifying triggers can help you address the root cause of the craving and find alternative ways to soothe your child.

Explore alternatives

If the craving is tied to sensory preferences, consider introducing healthier alternatives that offer a similar sensory experience.

Experiment with fruits, like berries or sliced apples, which provide sweetness while offering nutritional benefits.

Something which worked in our household was giving our son frozen berries (available from supermarkets).

The mixture of the temperature and sweetness was very appealing to him and swung him away from chocolate and alike.

Establish routines

As we have said on many occasions, autistic children often thrive in environments with predictability and routine.

Establishing consistent meal and snack times can help create a sense of security.

This can potentially reduce the reliance on sugary foods for comfort.

So as a practical example you could attempt to limit sugary treats to just after main meals.

If you persevere with this tactic it may result in your child just accepting that this is the correct time for sugar.

Reduce gradually

Over time you can slowly reduce the amount of sugar your child ingests, possibly without them noticing.

Consider buying smaller packets of candy and chocolate, opting for bitesize or ‘fun’ options.

This way you can still provide your child with a sugary treat but it won’t come with the same calorific impact.

Try to keep them full

Certain nutrients can help to keep them feeling full and satisfied, which can reduce cravings.

Protein for example can be found in foods such as meat, poultry, fish, beans, and nuts.

Fiber can help and will be found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Naturally it is unlikely your child will just switch to these types of food but a process of trial and error may pay dividends.

Summary – Autistic child craving sugar?

The first thing to realise is that an autistic child craving sugar is very common.

In fact it is a problem for many people, not just children with autism.

In fact, studies have shown that children with autism are more likely to have sugar cravings than children without autism.

So an important point would be to not be too harsh on yourself as a parent or your child.

Yes you can try to wean them off their cravings for sugar but accept it will take time.

Consider offering alternatives or smaller portions but understand that the cravings may well be linked to your child’s condition.

Good luck everyone.

Any tips or ideas?

We would love to hear from you if you have got any techniques or ideas for our readers to try.

Be sure to leave a comment if any of the above has helped or if you have any ideas we can add to this article.

Also be sure to search for any other articles you might find helpful.

Try for example searching below for topics like ‘meltdown’ or ‘communication’.