Food inspiration for an "eats nothing" child

Slightly different perspective but as you see him infrequently, might it be better to just go along with the quirky food choices? Any kind of pressure to try things is going to make him feel anxious, especially if he is on the autistic spectrum. Realistically, in the short time you have him, you are not going to make much impact on the overall nutritional content of his diet.

I tried to suggest some things earlier but it would not post.

I was suggesting getting him involved in preparing and cooking food that he might like and and tried to post some pictures of food which looked like a picture, eg sausage, beans and mash looking like a face etc, or sweetcorn and other veg arranged as a picture and let him pick it up with his fingers.
Does he like tomato sauce - a big sugary but you could use it as a dip with crudités

No cajoling, no encouraging, just let him eat what he wants, no 'just try a bit' as it can turn into a power struggle.

No eating between meals either.

It could be difficult but don't let him sense your anxiety.

How about cheese straws, as he likes breadsticks, or maybe other cheesy biscuits like Mini Cheddars? You can also get packs with a few breadsticks and a cheesy dip.
Garlic bread could be 'adapted' by using a garlic cream cheese instead of butter or maybe he would like a pea fritter.

Chickpea flour (gram flour) is much higher in protein than wheat flour and can be made into batter to coat veg and fried, or just fried as crispy bits. Sounds like he needs more protein in diet, but also more calories. What about those nuts with crunchy coating?

Have you involved him in choosing and cooking food?

Any root veg can be cooked as a chip. carrot, parsnip, celeriac turnip.

When, during teacher training many years ago, I was first told about autism, it concerned a girl who would only eat 'pink pudding'.

I believe many autistic children (and others) have problems with food textures and it's far better that they eat something even if it isn't the healthiest or most nutritious food. My GD is reluctant to try new things and we've found it better to give her the opportunity to taste them but not to push it. She suddenly developed a liking for sausage toad-in-the-hole after I gave it to her. I knew she liked sausages and said she didn't have to eat the batter, but she did!

So I agree that it's best not to force things but to offer a choice that includes foods that your GS likes as well as new ones to try.

If he eats 'french fries' will he try sweet potato chips? Sweet potato is a totally different vegetable.

Thanks grameretto, I should have added my grandson is in his twenties, loves food and no longer worries about ‘mixtures’, he eats a varied diet very happily

My eldest DS was like your DGS Iam64. He wouldn't eat mixtures as he called them, from an early age. He grew up fine.

breakfast cereal, ( sugar free) with fresh fruit ?
crunchy Peanut butter on toast?

Mine are such good eaters although some of them are a bit quirky. DGS aged 12 never has ice cream. He hates it but loves a cornet and chocolate flake!

I do remember a child when I was young who lived on nothing but chips (and tomato ketchup) for a year. He became a maths teacher.

Hurdy Gurdy, as someone who has a now adult grandson, who was diagnosed as ASD aged about 8, I empathise. For what it's worth, I'd say offer what you're all eating, ask if there is anything he'd like to try but otherwise, I'd give him exactly what he wants to eat.
This is partly because he is making his choices well known and pressing him to deviate is likely to cause stress, the other reason is you don't see him regularly so it's likely to be easier all round if he's relaxed and happy. a limited diet doesn't matter that much. My grandson couldn't have any food that touched each other, he couldn't eat things like cottage pie but would eat chips, chicken nuggets and peas, providing these ingredients never touched each other.
Enjoy his visits x

You can get crisps which are made out of vegetables rather than just potatoes.

How about raw carrots or baby sweetcorn? Nuts?

p.s. he does have vitamin drops in his drinks