A “Sensory Diet” incorporates activities throughout the day which provide “food” for the brain and help to create a healthy neurological sensory processing system. A sensory diet rich in movement and touch experiences can facilitate improved cognition, organization of behavior, and more accurate interpretation of sensory information.
A Nutritional Food Diet” is a fundamental part of a good sensory diet. Health food choices can promote increased attention skills, alertness, and regulation of behavior throughout the day. It is important to limit empty calorie choices and provide balanced and nutritious foods for your child’s lunch and snacks. A variety of food tastes and textures should also be considered for improved sensory processing and oral motor skills:
Strengthen Suck and Blow to promote postural control and speech production. Some food selection examples include:
Applesauce
Fresh citrus wedges
Juice smoothies
Healthy food dips
Jello
Peanut butter
Increase Jaw Control and facilitate munch and chew patterns for improved alertness, attention, regulation and balanced stability/mobility in jaw, neck, shoulder, and pelvis.
Raw veggies
Cheerios
Pretzles
Bubble gum (sugar free)
Dried fruits
Crackers
Sandwiches
Granola
Pickles
Cheese
Raisins
Additional healthy choices include a balance between protein and carbohydrates.
Some health protein choices are:
Chicken breast (white meat)
Turkey breast (white meat)
Veal
Lean beef
Ham, Lamb, Pork
Fish and seafood
Eggs
Nuts
Lentils (kidney beans)
Cheese (not American)
Some health carbohydrates include:
Vegetables (broccoli, spinach, tomatoes, yellow squash, green beans, cabbage, etc.)
Fruits (apples, berries, cantaloupe, cherries, grapefruit, kiwi, orange, peach, pear, pineapple, watermelon, etc.)
Grains (slow cooking non-flavored oatmeal, long grain rice, and brown breads)
***** DRINK LOTS OF WATER (fruit juices contain a lot of sugar). *****
Please contact the OT department with any questions you may have.