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When my daughter Jaimie was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) almost four years ago, we tried different therapies and treatments to find what worked best for her. Drug therapy on a toddler wasn’t something we considered–instead, we turned to holistic, natural therapies. The most important of these was a “brain-friendly” diet.

Feeding the Brain

Because SPD is a neurological disorder, it’s important to make sure children who have it get a lot of healthy brain food, including “good” fats such as omega-3s. All children need healthy brain foods, of course, but they’re essential for children with SPD for three important reasons:

1. The brain is 60% fat.
If we don’t give the brain healthy fats, it’ll get them any way it can, and that’s when we turn to the naughty saturated fats. Children with neurological disorders such as autism and SPD are especially susceptible to the temptations of junk food because their brains crave fats, but they don’t always choose the best ones.

2. Many children with SPD have a tendency to avoid foods due to their increased sensitivity to smell and texture.
This can lead to missing the crucial vitamins, minerals, and fats their tiny brains need to cope with their symptoms. Learning how to sneak those brain foods into their fussy diets is another challenge!

3. Nutritionists who specialize in SPD have discussed how making simple but important changes to diet can dramatically reduce sensory symptoms.

Keeping all that in mind, here—in no particular order—are the most important foods one should try to include in the diet of a child with SPD:

1. Oily fish such as wild salmon, mackerel, and tuna. These fish are all packed with DHA (docosahexanoic acid—try to say that five times!), which is one of the best forms of omega-3s.

2. Nuts, especially almonds, are a great source of fats, vitamins (B and E), and minerals (magnesium), which makes them excellent for the brain’s gray matter. In layman’s terms, gray matter is an essential component of the central nervous system, which helps in the routing of sensory and motor messages throughout the body. The main target of SPD is the nervous system, particularly the autonomic system. So get those children nutty about nuts (if there’s no allergy, of course).

3. Berries like blueberries and strawberries contain antioxidants and help with coordination, memory, and cognition. Sneak those luscious berries in a smoothie with some flaxseed oil for a tasty, brain-powered snack!

4. Veggies containing antioxidants, such as bell peppers and broccoli, are also beneficial. Yes, even children without sensory sensitivities protest broccoli, but try it with cheese or healthy dips!

5. Yogurt contains tyrosine, which is known to give you a little pick-up and increase mental awareness. Greek yogurt is best if you want to avoid the extra sugar found in the flavored sorts. You can always add a child’s favorite fruit for more flavor.

6. Beans are an excellent source of B vitamins and fiber. When mashed up, they can be a great addition to sauces, dips, and soups.

7. Flax seeds and flaxseed oil are fantastic sources of omega-3s. The seeds take some getting used to, but the oil can be mixed in with muffins, cookies, smoothies, and other treats.

8. “Smart” oils like walnut, flaxseed, olive, and avocado are all excellent sources of omega-3s. Cook with them and make salad dressings or dips with them. They all have a strong taste, however, and a child with a more sensitive palate may need to get used to them.

9. Eggs contain a nutrient called choline. Choline is needed to create acetylcholine, which is good for memory. Jaimie doesn’t like the texture of eggs, but we add omega-3 rich eggs to her muffins, pancakes, and other baked treats.

10. Tempeh is a fermented soybean cake similar to tofu. It sounds gross, and you’ll definitely have to disguise it in other things, but it is such an awesome source of protein and B12. The great thing is that it absorbs the flavor of whatever you cook it with, so try adding it to stews, soups, or stir-frys.

Overcoming the Challenge

The biggest challenge in our house has been coaxing Jaimie to try new things. Her palate is so sensitive that she’s thrown up right at the table simply because something didn’t feel right on her tongue. For the longest time, her diet consisted of plain pasta, green apples, and bagels. More recently, we’ve gotten her to try muffins, homemade pasta sauce, chicken, and even pizza—all of which we’ve tweaked in one way or another.

Patience is the key. Baby steps, high-fives, and lots of encouragement will inch things along. I consider any meal where Jaimie tries even just a lick of something new a huge success. And don’t forget about the best bonus–you’ll eat healthier, too! What could be better than that?

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