Does nutritional intake differ between children with autism spectrum disorders and children with typical development?

Bigby et al. (2009) compared what kids with autism actually eat to what typically developing kids eat.

Parents filled out a food diary for both groups.

The team then checked whose diets met national nutrition goals.

Kids with autism drank less milk and got less calcium.

They did eat more vitamin B6, vitamin E, and protein from meat or beans.

Both groups missed daily targets for several nutrients.

Evans et al. (2012) saw the same milk gap and added that autistic kids also drink more soda and eat fewer fruits or veggies.

Bicer et al. (2013) found over half of Turkish autistic kids were overweight yet still low on calcium, showing weight and nutrients do not always match.

Shi et al. (2026) pooled many trials and found vitamin D pills slightly ease autism symptoms, hinting that fixing low intake might help.

Katz et al. (2003) warned that special diets can drop amino acids; Bigby et al. (2009) shows even standard diets miss key minerals, so screening is wise either way.

You can spot diet gaps fast by asking about milk, cheese, and fruit during intake.

A simple three-day food log beats guessing.

If calcium or produce is low, share this evidence with families and offer concrete swaps like fortified almond milk or frozen berries.

Track any supplement trial with your usual data sheets to see if behavior or sleep shifts.