Special Dietary Needs

eating apple

Special Dietary Needs

Some young athletes with an intellectual disability may have additional dietary needs. Table 2 provides suggestions for optimizing nutrition in some common nutrition-related health issues. Consult with your doctor and a registered dietitian before making dietary changes. Working with these professionals will provide an individualized plan that will meet your young athlete’s unique nutrition needs.

Table: Strategies for Common Nutrition-Related Health Issues

Health Issue Nutrition Suggestions
Constipation
  • Increase intake of water and foods with high water content. For example, vegetables and fruit are approximately 90% water.
  • Increase intake of foods that are high in fibre such as whole grain breads, crackers, and cereals; raw, cooked or dried fruits such as prunes; vegetables, and legumes such as beans, lentils, and split peas.
  • Consider supplemental fibre products and consult your healthcare professional.
Diarrhea
  • Short-term (acute) diarrhea can cause dehydration and electrolyte loss. Consider a rehydration drink and consult your healthcare professional.
  • Long-term (chronic) diarrhea caused by medications or food intolerances can cause nutrient deficiencies. Consult your doctor and dietitian.
Underweight
  • Incorporate high-calorie snacks like milkshakes, trail mix, cheese, and granola.
  • Add sauces, fats, and spreads to foods. For example, spread peanut butter on fruit and add salad dressings to veggies, margarine or oil to rice or pasta.
  • Consider supplemental nutrition products and consult your healthcare professional.
Overweight
  • Consult with your doctor and dietitian about healthy weight management. Young athletes should not be placed on calorierestricted diets while they are still growing.
  • The whole family should follow Canada’s Food Guide, limit screen time and incorporate more daily physical activity.
Feeding Problems
  • Certain behaviours such as avoiding certain foods due to colour, texture, or taste can result in decreased variety and increased risk of nutrient deficiencies. Consulting your doctor and dietitian and/or a behavior analyst is recommended.
  • Consider creating an interactive relationship with food by:
    • letting the young athlete help with food preparation. - talking about different foods: where they come from and their colours and textures.
    • having a tasting “party” to try new foods.
    • letting the young athlete shop for foods at the grocery store. - helping the young athlete plant a vegetable garden.
  • Chewing and swallowing difficulties may limit the type and texture of foods that are safe for the young athlete to eat. This may compromise overall nutrition and hydration status. Consulting with your doctor and dietitian and/or a swallowing specialist is recommended.