Just as a healthy diet consists of a variety of foods, a sensory diet is a balanced set of sensory information that allows an individual to function optimally. A person cannot survive on broccoli alone. Similarly, a child cannot function with only one type of sensory activity. A sensory diet is a specific set of sensory activities designed to meet specific needs of the individual. Creation of a sensory diet requires assessment and trial followed by continued monitoring of strategies and their effectiveness.