2. Anxiety and Stress Around Food Timing
•Autistic individuals often rely on routine, and ARFID can make meal planning even more rigid.
•Fasting disrupts usual eating patterns, which could cause stress, anxiety, or even meltdowns. 🧵👇
•Autistic individuals often rely on routine, and ARFID can make meal planning even more rigid.
•Fasting disrupts usual eating patterns, which could cause stress, anxiety, or even meltdowns. 🧵👇
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•After fasting, the body may react more strongly to certain foods, especially if someone already has sensitivities.
•Some “safe foods” may not provide enough energy or hydration after a long fasting period. 🧵👇
•If fasting leads to negative physical sensations (like nausea, lightheadedness, or discomfort after eating), it could reinforce food avoidance behaviors.
•Some individuals may struggle to reintroduce food after fasting, leading to further restriction. 🧵👇
•Plan Safe Foods: Ensure that meals before and after fasting include foods that are both tolerable and nutritionally balanced.
•Stay Hydrated: If sensory issues make drinking water difficult, try different temperatures or flavoured water to stay hydrated 🧵👇
•Avoid social eating: If this increases anxiety around eating then consider missing iftars with wider family or at the musjid. 🧵👇
https://www.arfidawarenessuk.org/ has resources and advice that can help.
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