Autistic Culture
The Autistic Culture Podcast
Dino Nuggets are Autistic (Episode 21)
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Dino Nuggets are Autistic (Episode 21)

The Autistic food episode! We dig into same foods, safe foods, sensory-seeking, and sensory-avoidant foods.
Podcast hosts Matt and Angela discuss: Dino Nuggets are Autistic. Autism podcast | Hands up if you love chicken nuggets! We're talking same foods, safe foods, sensory-seeking, and sensory-avoidant foods.  Grab your buttered noodles and dig in to the world of Autistic food with us!
M: But that's not the texture of chocolate. A: It's just wrong. Mm hmm. It's not okay with me.

In this episode of The Autistic Culture Podcast:

On this virtual culture trip, Matt and Angela take on Autistic food culture, specifically the relationship that autistic people have with food. They describe how food is important in any culture and give examples such as Cannolis for Italians, croissants for the French, and Chicken Tikka for the British.

Matt: My autism comes from my mother's family and looking back on it I found a picture of my family at Easter gathered around the traditional Throckmorton McNugget platter…and they literally went out and got lots and lots and lots of boxes of McNuggets, put them on a platter, arranged with sauces around it.

Angela: Wow.

Matt: That was normal for my family. Yeah, yeah, and of course through the autism lens you say, ‘Yeaaaaah.’

The podcast hosts explain that Autistic individuals develop personal relationships with food and often have safe foods and same foods. Safe foods bring joy, comfort, and peace when they are eaten, while same foods are foods that are so reliably satisfying to the autistic person that they eat them every day.

Parents are sometimes frustrated by autistic children’s approach to food, but as Autistic adults—we get it! The podcast hosts explain that same-fooding is different from picky eating. Same foods often need to be prepared in a specific way, eaten in a ritualistic manner, or may only be a specific brand. The pathology of forcing autistics to eat certain foods or judging their choices is criticized. Letting people eat what they want leads to better physical and mental health outcomes.

And like, it's not that we don't need to eat, but there are at least for me, if given the choice between eating something that I have an aversion to, and not eating, I will often pick not eating. Like it's not even like I was saying about that Deer Park water, like it's just not even an option. I mean, I guess if I was like, parched in the desert, maybe I'd have a sip, but like, not even really. —Angela

Not all autistic people have the same dietary preferences, and that the relationship that autistic people have with food can be influenced by sensory aversions, intensity of flavors, and texture. While many autistics gravitate towards bland, calming foods, some autistic people have sensory seeking pallets and add strong flavors and spices to their food.

The benefits of Autistic food culture are highlighted like efficiency, comfort, and the ability to focus on special interests instead of elaborate meal rituals. The hosts conclude that Autistic food culture should be celebrated for its comfort and community, not pathologized. Finding those who understand your food needs is key to feeling accepted.

What are some of your same foods? Tell us in the comments!

Super Taster Tests

Safefood: The Medicinal Properties of Chicken Nuggets

What Do Autistic People Cook?

Autistic Empath

Why do autistic people tend to samefood? Is it different than picky eating?

Episode 23: Dimensions of Autistic Culture

Episode 33: Warhol is Autistic

Ready for a paradigm shift that empowers Autistics? Help spread the news!

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Learn more about Matt at Matt Lowry, LPP

Matt’s social media: Autistic Connections Facebook Group

Learn more about Angela at AngelaLauria.com and Difference Press

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Discussion about this podcast

Autistic Culture
The Autistic Culture Podcast
Welcome to the Autistic Culture Podcast. Each episode we dive deep into Autistic contributions to society and culture by introducing you to some of the world’s most famous and successful Autistics in history!
Whether you are Autistic or just love someone who is, your hosts, Dr. Angela Lauria, the Linguistic Autistic and Licensed Psychological Practitioner, Matt Lowry, welcome you to take this time to be fully immersed in the language, values, traditions, norms, and identity of Autistica!
To learn more about Angela, Matt, and the Autistic Culture Podcast visit AutisticCulturePodcast.com