SENSORY REGULATION
& SNACKS

Are you a current or former nail biter? Or maybe you love a crunchy or chewy snack when you’re stressed. Good news: your body is using that to help you!

 

When you’re chewing, your mouth is getting deep pressure (proprioceptive) input which has a grounding effect on your nervous system and helps with emotional regulation, focus, and attention. Since your mouth is one of the most touch-sensitive parts of your body, oral input is an effective way of doing it. That doesn’t mean you should bite your nails until they bleed or only eat chips, it means that you may have oral sensory seeking tendencies. Now that we know that, you can find more helpful ways to get that same regulating input. This can be by proactively getting deep pressure input (e.g. fidgeting, weighted blankets, massages) or tailoring your snack plans to meet those sensory needs.  

Below, you'll find a guide to foods that can help with sensory regulation. Keep in mind, these are just suggestions—find what works best for you and enjoy!