What is Same Food? Why Familiar Foods Matter

Being Autistic is an all-encompassing experience and way of being. This means that we bring our ways of thinking, needs and abilities to all activities that we engage in. This then of course includes food sourcing, preparation and eating. 

We therefore have unique behaviours and shared experiences with food that are part of Autistic culture. This includes deep, personal relationships with food, sensory needs, routines, how we prepare food and even down to the systems we have to eat food.

When people talk about same food, they’re often referring to someone’s favourite food, a food they have a strong emotional or sensory connection to. This is typically a food that they find predictable and comforting. As a result, they’re likely to eat it frequently. These foods are often staples in a person’s diet, providing a sense of stability and enjoyment, especially for those with sensory sensitivities or a need for routine in their eating habits.

And it’s true: comfort foods can offer us safety. To eat and be nourished, feeling safe and regulated is essential.

Image from Canva, by Garrett Aitken from Getty Images

You might also be interested in my co-authored book about an Autistic young person and their same food ‘Gabby’s Glimmers’ and my other food blogs such as ‘Context Eating: Why We Prefer Specific Foods in Specific Situations‘, ‘Why We Need Low Pressure Food Opportunities‘ and ‘How to Get Them to Eat: Rethinking Some Traditional Parenting Strategies‘

Same Food as Self-Care

To explore this concept further, Scott Neilson of Autistically Scott and I ran a workshop at the Autscape conference in 2023 called Same Food as Self Care. It was an interactive session inviting participants to reflect on how their same foods have supported them across time.

One of our prompts was:
“What words come to mind when you think of your same food?”

Here are some of the responses participants shared:

• “Safe”
• “Routine, safe”
• “Safe, happy, calming”
• “Comforting and safe”
• “Tasty, safe and happy”
• “Comfort food”
• “Calm, joy, cosy, hugged, relaxed and warm”
• “Safe, convenient, healthy, nurturing and nourishing”
• “Safe, happy, comfort, peaceful – but then sometimes after a binge, it can be guilt and shame
• “Safety, comfort and routine”
• “Security, stability, routine and calming”

One participant offered this reflection:

These responses reveal just how meaningful same foods can be. They’re not simply about preference or habit. For many Autistic people, they represent safety, regulation, joy, memory and connection.

Following Autscape, we’ve continued to run Same Food as Self Care as an online webinar via Autistic-led organisations such as Scottish Women’s Autism Network (SWAN) and Autistic Revolution. We invite you to keep an eye out for the next time we run this workshop and extend you a warm welcome.

Thank you for learning about the community,

Laura Hellfeld

RN, MSN, PHN, CNL

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Disclaimer: The information shared in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for personalised support and care tailored to your specific needs.

Resources & Signposting

• Gabby’s Glimmers: An Affirming Story of an Autistic Child and their Favourite Food
• Context Eating: Why We Prefer Specific Foods in Specific Situations, Blog
• More on Context Eating: Understanding Food Preferences Without Pushing for Change, Blog
• Why We Need Low Pressure Food Opportunities, Blog
• How to Get Them to Eat: Rethinking Some Traditional Parenting Strategies, Blog
• Same Food as Self Care Autscape 2023 presentation
• Scottish Women’s Autism Network (SWAN)
• Autistic Revolution