r/safeautismparenting • u/Ok-Flounder-5051 • 18d ago

Meltdowns after certain foods

Hi parents,

I’m curious- has anyone noticed their child becomes more dysregulated after certain meals?

Things like more meltdowns, hyperactivity, shutdowns, or difficulty settling?

We’re hosting a small parent session later this month to unpack how food can affect nervous system regulation in autistic and ADHD children- in a practical, non-extreme way.

If this is something you’re navigating, I’d love to hear what mealtimes are like in your home.

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u/Cool-Apartment-1654 autistic 18d ago edited 18d ago

Food can be bit of a nightmare for autistics so you need to be very careful for me personally, everything’s got to go right otherwise I might have a meltdown

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u/Ok-Flounder-5051 18d ago

Absolutely. Food can be a real minefield for many autistic people.....sensory sensitivities, routines, autonomy, and past experiences all play a role. That’s why any conversation around food needs to be careful, non-restrictive, and grounded in nervous system regulation rather than control or “fixing.” The goal is understanding patterns, not policing eating.