It’s funny how a simple snack can tell a much bigger story — especially when you’re paying attention to the moments that matter. Over the last few months, Nolan’s relationship with food has shifted in ways that have surprised us, challenged us, and ultimately filled us with more hope than we expected.
A little history
We started this blog back in 2016. It was a birthday gift for my wife that we have added to over the years. I purchased the domain, created the website, and added some of our favorite recipes we had made together since being married. For us, getting the family into the kitchen and teaching our daughter at the time how to make a meal was really important to us. Now, we have a son that has down syndrome and hydrocephalus, so part of this blog has grown to include foods that he is able to eat as well.
This has been a learning experience from us all
He had a feeding tube early on and we have transitioned out of that to a more normal food selection. We are looking at different foods that he is able to enjoy, but will also help him to gain the weight that is needed and required for his development. These are things that we take into consideration when we create a recipe, and cook most anything in the kitchen. It’s a family affair for all of us! You can read more about it here if you’d like. It’s been challenging and rewarding at the same time. It will still be our mission and our creativity that will help to teach him how to find his way around the kitchen, it will just be a more joyful process than before.
When we first started introducing new foods, it was slow and steady. Some days he loved what was on his plate, other days he barely touched it. That’s not uncommon for kiddos with Down syndrome — many have selective eating habits, sensory sensitivities, or oral-motor challenges (our biggest obstacle) that make certain textures, flavors, or even temperatures tough to enjoy right away. It’s estimated that it can take 20 or more exposures to a new food before a child with sensory food preferences will accept it — so patience truly becomes its own kind of love.
Over these past few months, something changed. Nolan began to explore food — not just tolerate it. He started tasting new colors and textures, reaching for pieces of fruit on his own. We’ve watched him go from peanut butter to trying soft veggies and colorful snacks with real curiosity. That shift doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from comfort, repetition, patience, and us guiding him to the food that he needs to develop.
From a Nutritional Perspective
Children with Down syndrome benefit from the same healthy balance most kids do: a mix of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, dairy, and water. But there are a few things worth mentioning that have helped guide us. Many children with Down syndrome have a slower metabolism and different body composition — meaning they burn calories a bit more slowly than other kids — so maintaining a balanced, nutrient-dense diet is key to healthy growth and energy. For Nolan, he still drinks lots of whole milk from a bottle, with a mixture of Pediasure, and added thickener.
Some families find that focusing on foods high in fiber, lean proteins, and healthy fats (like eggs, beans, avocados, and fish) supports digestion and steady energy. Others swap out excess sugary drinks and ultra-processed snacks — not because sweets are “bad,” but because limiting them frees up space on the plate for more nourishing options that support long-term health. Every child is different, and what works for one won’t always work for another — but figuring this out together has become part of our family rhythm. Many of the food and recipes that we create are easy for him to digest and maintain, and there are also many things that he eats that we do not share.
Now, he can have Nolan’s Bean Dip, that we ate repeatedly after bring him home from the hospital. He can eat Fruit Dip that his big sister made with our help. He can also taste Good Gosh Casserole that his great-grandmother use to make. This has been an overwhelming process, but we couldn’t imagine not including him in our food journey.
