Courgette and Chicken Fritters: A Gut Friendly Lunchbox snack for Neurodivergent Children
Many parents of neurodivergent children tell me the same thing. Their child holds it together all day at school, then falls apart the moment they walk through the door. Part of that is the effort of masking, and of a nervous system processing sensory input all day long. Part of it can be a long day running on very little fuel.
A lunchbox will not change the school day. But a lunch your child will actually eat, with something in it to keep them going, can take a little pressure off the afternoon.
Why lunchbox snacks matters for a neuro-gifted child
Many neurodivergent children are selective eaters, and lunchboxes often come home untouched or with only the crisps gone. That can mean a long stretch on very little, and hunger is hard for some children to notice in their own body until it has already become distress and they start acting out.
These fritters combine protein from chicken and egg with a vegetable, in a small, predictable shape that can be eaten with fingers. Protein and fat help energy release more steadily, and chicken provides amino acids, including tryptophan, that the body uses to make serotonin and other neurotransmitters.
Courgette and chicken fritters
Makes 10 small fritters. Paleo style and dairy free.
Ingredients
300 g chicken mince
1 small courgette, grated and squeezed dry
1 egg
2 tbsp ground flax or almond flour
Mild herbs
Olive oil, for cooking
Method
Mix everything together in a bowl.
Shape into thin patties.
Cook in a pan over a medium heat, or bake at 200°C, until browned and the chicken is cooked all the way through.
Serve cold in a lunchbox with cucumber and a carbohydrate your child already accepts.
For sensitive eaters
Make a few plain chicken patties without the courgette. Grate the courgette very finely, but tell your child it is there. Keep any dip in a separate pot so it is a choice, not a surprise.
Safety notes
Use ground flax instead of almond flour for nut allergies. Check for egg allergy. Cook chicken thoroughly and keep lunchboxes cool. Adapt the size for your child's age and chewing.
Where to go next
This recipe follows on from why your neurodivergent child may struggle more in autumn. For more recipes that support the gut and steady energy, download my free Nourish recipe book.
If after school meltdowns are a daily pattern, there may be more going on underneath. My online course for parents of neurodivergent children looks at the biology beneath behaviour. It would be wonderful to see you there. We will discuss the effects of the gut-brain connection, nutrition and nervous system solution.
Comments