FAQautism

A high-school friend with autism sent a message asking for some ideas for “spicy treats.” Teachers and family members have sent similar requests over the past months for tasty snacks that are not sweet. The unique tastes and dietary needs of each person with autism must be considered when selecting snacks, but let’s look at some spicy snack favorites just to get some ideas going.

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CHEX MIX. A new generation may not know about an old favorite, Chex mix. Just mix together 6 cups of different flavors of Chex cereals, then drizzle a mixture of ½ cup melted butter (or canola oil) and 5 teaspoons of Worcestershire sauce over the top. Bake at 250 degrees in a cookie sheet or baking pan for one hour. Then enjoy the crunch.

HOT CRACKERS. My family loves snacking on hot crackers. I use a whole box of whole wheat saltine crackers – putting them in a gallon ziplock bag. Then I stir together ¾ cup of canola or olive oil with 1 package of dry ranch dressing. Drizzle the ranch mixture over the crackers, then turn the bag every 10 minutes or so for an hour. You can add dashes of extra spices if you like. Some people like lemon pepper or garlic powder or cayenne pepper for extra kick.

SPICED NUTS. You can roast almonds or pecans or cashews or even mixed nuts for tasty, crunchy snacks. Start with four cups of raw nuts (not spiced or roasted.) Then mix together 4 Tbs of melted butter or olive oil, 1 Tbs Worcestershire sauce, and a tsp of garlic powder or cayenne pepper to taste. Drizzle the spicy mixture over the nuts, then bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes.

SKIP THE SUGAR. Other popular spicy treats are black or green olives, miniature pickles, pretzels, flavored corn chips, crackers and dips, dried veggie chips, stuffed celery, or miniature cherry tomatoes.

TIP FOR THE DAY. Spicy treats are a nice break from sweets, and many sneak some nutritional value into a daily diet at snack time. So, consider any dietary restrictions or food sensitivities, then ENJOY!

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

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