Autism Recipes for Your Thanksgiving Celebration
Holidays can sometimes feel like a challenge to navigate when you have a child with autism. With a food-focused holiday like Thanksgiving, it can be tricky to find foods that fit into a nourishing diet. That’s why we’ve collected 20+ autism recipe ideas that are free from gluten, dairy, soy, and corn (many are nut-free too!). If you need some tips on navigating Thanksgiving with a child on the autism spectrum, we’ve got this blog post that is chock-full of helpful tips to get you started!
Appetizers and Snacks
Appetizers and snacks can be a great way to make sure your child has fun foods to eat on Thanksgiving. They are easy to make, and low pressure - you can set them on the table and allow your child to enjoy them whenever they are hungry. It’s also a great way to sneak in fiber and nutrient-rich foods that your child might not otherwise eat.
Ranch Hummus - Serve with your child’s favorite veggies or gluten-free crackers.
Spinach Artichoke Dip - Serve with plantain chips, veggies, or gluten-free bread.
Pigs in a Blanket - This is a great nut-free recipe that uses grass-fed cocktail sausages.
Bacon Wrapped Dates - These are the perfect combination of salty and sweet.
Fruit with Coconut Whipped Cream Dip - Coconut whipped cream makes the perfect dip for just about any fruit.
Turkey Veggie Tray - This veggie tray is so cute and festive, it may help picky eaters to get more excited about trying some veggies!
Snack Board - These are so fun, and you can include whatever foods your child loves. Put together a cutting board loaded with dips, veggies, fruits, nuts/seeds, jam, gluten-free crackers, and let your child have at it!
Main Dish
Most thanksgiving main dishes revolve around meat, which can be tough for an autistic kiddo to eat for a variety of reasons. Meat can be notoriously tough for kids to chew and swallow, and many kids just don’t love the texture. Here are some ideas to mix things up if you’re looking to try a twist on a traditional main dish!
Turkey Meatballs and Gravy - If your child likes ground meat, this could be a good option to try.
Turkey Burger - This easy recipe is perfect for the kiddo who will eat anything on a bun!
Glazed Ham - Glazed meats are moist and flavorful, and are usually tender enough for kiddos who struggle with tough meat. Just be sure to cut them in very small pieces!
Falafel - If you’re looking for a kid-friendly vegetarian option, falafel are great, especially served with your child’s favorite dip.
Side Dishes
Side dishes are an excellent way to add variety and include some of your child’s favorite foods. Here are some Thanksgiving sides that are sure to be a hit!
Mashed Potatoes - These dairy free mashed potatoes are so creamy, and always a crowd pleaser.
Gluten-free Dinner Rolls - Rolls are a favorite for so many, and here’s an easy version to try!
Green Beans with Bacon - Bacon gives this dish so much flavor, and it couldn’t be easier to throw together. You can sub any veggies your child enjoys - try cauliflower, broccoli, asparagus, or peas.
Gluten-free Stuffing (or Dressing) - This recipe is easy and full of delicious herbs.
Cranberry Sauce - For a twist on traditional cranberry sauce, this one uses some orange zest and juice, and is so fresh and bright. To make it a uniform texture, puree it with an immersion blender before cooling, or spoon it into a regular blender and blend until smooth.
Desserts
Who doesn’t love a good dessert on Thanksgiving?!? It is definitely possible to have delicious gluten and dairy-free dessert, and here are a few of my favorites!
Pumpkin Pie - Here’s a traditional take on a classic Thanksgiving dessert.
Coconut Milk Vanilla Ice Cream - This is the perfect topping for a pie fresh from the oven. You can sub up to half of the cane sugar with maple syrup if you are looking to reduce sugar intake.
Apple Crisp - Warm apples with fall spices pair well with ice cream for dessert.
Pumpkin Bread - For those kiddos who love anything bread-based, this recipe is a keeper. Just be sure to use gluten-free oat flour.
Hot Cocoa - This is great if you are too tired for a fancy dessert, but want something warm and cozy. As a bonus, kids love it!
Store-Bought Shortcuts
Sometimes you just don’t have the time or energy to make everything from scratch. Here are some great options for store-bought shortcuts.
Simple Mills Bread Mix - This can be used to make dinner rolls!
Gluten-free Pie Crust Mix
No matter what recipes you choose, Thanksgiving will be special because of the time you spend as a family. Get your child involved in the kitchen, watch a movie or parade together, get outside and play in the leaves, or play a favorite game. There are so many great ways to connect and make Thanksgiving special!
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BLOG WRITTEN BY KALEE LUNDMARK, MS, RDN
Kalee Lundmark is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and creator of The Crowded Table blog, where she shares family-friendly recipes focused on whole, nourishing foods the whole family will love.
You can find her on her website The Crowded Table
