Supporting kids with special dietary needs during COVID-19

If you have a child with special dietary needs, rest assured that support is available for you and your family during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Read on for practical tips and general advice from Queensland Children’s Hospital dietitians on specialised formula, allergies, sensory eating issues and other special dietary needs.

Please reach out to your local Accredited Practising Dietitian or a Queensland Children’s Hospital dietitian if you need assistance with your child’s special dietary needs.

Specialised formula

Dietitians are working closely with suppliers of specialised nutrition products to ensure all children have access to supply. Suppliers have increased their call centre staff and are continuing to monitor stock volume to ensure that the demand is met.

If a product becomes unavailable or you are having trouble with supply, your local paediatric dietitian will be able to help with supply or advise on a suitable substitute. You can contact your local paediatric dietitian through the switchboard at the hospital where they work. If you are unable to get through to your usual paediatric dietitian and the enquiry is urgent, you can contact the Department of Dietetics and Food Services at Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Allergies

Some families have had difficulties accessing foods that they needed for children with allergies. If you are having a hard time locating foods, you could try:

• Calling smaller independent stores instead of major supermarkets
• Checking the list of stockists on the food manufacturer’s website
• Asking neighbours or friends in your local area to keep an eye out
• Contacting your local dietitian to suggest other food options.

Make sure you review dietary information on allergy.org.au when considering alternatives and substitutions.

Texture modified diets and thickened fluids

Some children require texture modified diets to eat or drink safely. You might be using a combination of ready-made and homemade meals.

To date, there have been no reported issues with accessing thickeners or ready-made thickened fluids. There is no expectation that there will be an increased demand for these products during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are concerned about supply, call ahead to your pharmacy to ensure they have your particular thickener in stock before making a trip out of the house.

For practical tips for preparing smooth pureed, minced and moist and soft foods, click the ‘texture modification’ button on this Queensland Health webpage and check out this thickened fluids PDF resource for more information.

Autism and sensory eating issues

Children on the autism spectrum might have limited diet variety and very specific food choices. If you are having a hard time locating foods, you could try:

• Asking for suggestions on your local online community forum
• Calling smaller independent stores instead of major supermarkets
• Checking the list of stockists on the food manufacturer’s website
• Asking neighbours or friends in your local area to keep an eye out
• Contacting your local dietitian to suggest other food options.

Some children may need a multivitamin and mineral supplement to support them if their diet becomes more restrictive than usual. Contact your local dietitian or pharmacist for advice on which is the best supplement for your child.

This PDF resource on modifying foods provides suggestions for adapting the taste, texture and nutrition of foods for children on the autism spectrum.

Coeliac disease

If your child has been medically advised to follow a gluten-free diet, this evidence-based PDF resource on coeliac disease can help with food suggestions and strategies.

Chronic constipation

Constipation is a very common childhood problem that often requires changes to diet, routines, or advice from a doctor. You could take the opportunity of increased time being at home to slowly increase the amount of fibre in your child’s diet and create some healthy bowel habits.

Shopping tips

When you go out of the house for essential travel, make the trip count. Try to:

• Have a shopping list and plan your trip
• Ring ahead to stores to ensure that what you require is available
• Contact your pharmacy – you might be able to email them through a copy of your prescription to speed up the process, or organise to have it delivered
• Use hand sanitiser while out, and have everyone wash their hands with soap and water when you return home.

As always, remember to follow social distancing guidelines and other public health advice.

For more information

For up-to-date, evidence-based nutrition information for children, visit the Queensland Health website or the Growing Good Habits website, and for parenting information, visit the Raising Children website.

This information has been provided by the Department of Dietetics and Food Services at the Queensland Children’s Hospital to assist parents and carers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please reach out to your local Accredited Practising Dietitian or a Queensland Children’s Hospital dietitian for individualised dietary advice.