Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects how an individual communicates, processes information, experiences the world and interacts socially. It is characterised by restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests and activities. Due to the considerable variation in the characteristics and severity of symptoms experienced, autism is described as a ‘spectrum’. Consequently, support needs vary widely, with some individuals requiring substantial daily assistance, while others can live independently with minimal support

  1. Leisman G, Melillo R. Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Do We Know and Where Do We Go? Brain Sciences. 2025;15(9):1010. doi:10.3390/brainsci15091010
  2. Liu F, Li J, Wu F, Zheng H, Peng Q, Zhou H. Altered Composition and Function of Intestinal Microbiota in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review. Translational Psychiatry. 2019;9(1). doi:10.1038/s41398-019-0389-6
  3. Öztürk E, Aslan Çi̇n NN, Cansu A, Akyol A. Opioid peptides in autism spectrum disorder and gluten-free casein-free diet as a therapeutic approach. Metabolic Brain Disease. 2026;41(1). doi:10.1007/s11011-026-01789-w
  4. Costanza Varesio, Milani L, Martina Paola Zanaboni, et al. Ketogenic Dietary Therapies in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Facts or Fads? A Scoping Review and a Proposal for a Shared Protocol. Nutrients. 2021;13(6):2057-2057. doi:10.3390/nu13062057
  5. Li Q, Liang J, Fu N, Han Y, Qin J. A Ketogenic Diet and the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 2021;9. doi:10.3389/fped.2021.650624
  6. Monteiro CA, Cannon G, Levy RB, et al. Ultra-processed foods: What They Are and How to Identify Them. Public Health Nutrition. 2019;22(5):936-941. doi:10.1017/S1368980018003762
  7. Esposito M, Mirizzi P, Fadda R et al. Food Selectivity in Children with Autism: Guidelines for Assessment and Clinical Interventions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023;20(6):5092. doi:10.3390/ijerph20065092
  8. Monteiro MA, Santos AAA Dos, Gomes LMM, Rito RVVF. Autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review about nutritional interventions. Revista Paulista De Pediatria: Orgao Oficial Da Sociedade De Pediatria De Sao Paulo. 2020;38:e2018262. doi:10.1590/1984-0462/2020/38/2018262
  9. Schreck K, Williams K. Food preferences and factors influencing food selectivity for children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Developmental Disabilities. 2006;27(4):353-363. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2005.03.005
  10. Kostenko RTD, Almeida NFA de, Meneses JFS. Dietary and nutritional interventions in the treatment of childhood neuropsychiatric disorders: evidence and myths. Jornal de Pediatria. 2026;102:101465. doi:10.1016/j.jped.2025.101465

About the Author: Salma Khattak, ANutr

Salma is a Clinical Nutritionist and a freelance writer for nutrition and dietetics. Her main area of interest is the management of emotional eating and weight for women.

Leave A Comment

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that affects how an individual communicates, processes information, experiences the world and interacts socially. It is characterised by restricted or repetitive patterns of behaviour, interests and activities. Due to the considerable variation in the characteristics and severity of symptoms experienced, autism is described as a ‘spectrum’. Consequently, support needs vary widely, with some individuals requiring substantial daily assistance, while others can live independently with minimal support

  1. Leisman G, Melillo R. Autism Spectrum Disorder: What Do We Know and Where Do We Go? Brain Sciences. 2025;15(9):1010. doi:10.3390/brainsci15091010
  2. Liu F, Li J, Wu F, Zheng H, Peng Q, Zhou H. Altered Composition and Function of Intestinal Microbiota in Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Systematic Review. Translational Psychiatry. 2019;9(1). doi:10.1038/s41398-019-0389-6
  3. Öztürk E, Aslan Çi̇n NN, Cansu A, Akyol A. Opioid peptides in autism spectrum disorder and gluten-free casein-free diet as a therapeutic approach. Metabolic Brain Disease. 2026;41(1). doi:10.1007/s11011-026-01789-w
  4. Costanza Varesio, Milani L, Martina Paola Zanaboni, et al. Ketogenic Dietary Therapies in Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Facts or Fads? A Scoping Review and a Proposal for a Shared Protocol. Nutrients. 2021;13(6):2057-2057. doi:10.3390/nu13062057
  5. Li Q, Liang J, Fu N, Han Y, Qin J. A Ketogenic Diet and the Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Frontiers in Pediatrics. 2021;9. doi:10.3389/fped.2021.650624
  6. Monteiro CA, Cannon G, Levy RB, et al. Ultra-processed foods: What They Are and How to Identify Them. Public Health Nutrition. 2019;22(5):936-941. doi:10.1017/S1368980018003762
  7. Esposito M, Mirizzi P, Fadda R et al. Food Selectivity in Children with Autism: Guidelines for Assessment and Clinical Interventions. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023;20(6):5092. doi:10.3390/ijerph20065092
  8. Monteiro MA, Santos AAA Dos, Gomes LMM, Rito RVVF. Autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review about nutritional interventions. Revista Paulista De Pediatria: Orgao Oficial Da Sociedade De Pediatria De Sao Paulo. 2020;38:e2018262. doi:10.1590/1984-0462/2020/38/2018262
  9. Schreck K, Williams K. Food preferences and factors influencing food selectivity for children with autism spectrum disorders. Research in Developmental Disabilities. 2006;27(4):353-363. doi:10.1016/j.ridd.2005.03.005
  10. Kostenko RTD, Almeida NFA de, Meneses JFS. Dietary and nutritional interventions in the treatment of childhood neuropsychiatric disorders: evidence and myths. Jornal de Pediatria. 2026;102:101465. doi:10.1016/j.jped.2025.101465

About the Author: Salma Khattak, ANutr

Salma is a Clinical Nutritionist and a freelance writer for nutrition and dietetics. Her main area of interest is the management of emotional eating and weight for women.

Leave A Comment

You may also like