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ADHD Diet
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed childhood mental conditions. Most symptoms generally occur before 7 years of age. Symptoms include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. The condition can continue into adulthood – however adults exhibit a better ability to control impulsive responses.
Causes of ADHD
ADHD has no known cause – although many feel that it is due to a chemical imbalance in the brain caused either by environmental or genetic factors. Some environmental factors include; toxin exposure during pregnancy, food additives and allergies, sugar, caffeine, and food coloring – however much of this is theory.
Sugar
There is considerable difference of opinion has to how refined sugar affects a child’s behavior. Many studies have found no evidence that refined sugar affects behavior of children. Some feel that a typical celebration (such as a child’s birthday party) is linked to high sugar intake and therefore excitable behavior can be linked to the celebration.
Allergies, Additives, and Food Coloring
The Feingold diet was proposed in the 1970s and linked behavior with diet. However, once again, a number of scientists feel that there has not been enough objective research to concluded that additives are linked with ADHD.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant and it’s effect is different for different people. Some develop more of a tolerance for caffeine than others. It is not advisable for a child to consume caffeinated drinks (such as Coke or Pepsi, or other “energy” drinks). Especially if a Caffeine Allergy is suspected.
Anecdotal Evidence
However, anecdotally, there is evidence that processed foods can be linked with hyperactive behavior. As a parent you can try to remove as many high-sugar, and colored foods as possible. Juices should be diluted, and sodas, candy, and cookies should be avoided altogether.
Omega-3 and ADHD
@Omega-3@ is an essential fatty acid (i.e. a form of polyunsaturated fat) found in certain fish, and in vegetable sources (such as flax, hemp, and walnuts). There has been a considerable body of research showing that omega-3 (or more specifically the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats) is essential for correct brain function. There is even evidence showing that a pregnant mother who is low in @omega-3@ can affect the brain develop of the baby during the 3rd trimester.
Sources of Omega-3
- 100g Salmon (provides 230mg omega-3)
- 100g Sardines (provides 220mg omega-3)
- 100g Herring (provides 160mg omega-3)
- 100g Tuna (provides 160mg omega-3). The tuna must be fresh or frozen – as canned tuna usually has the oil drained (and is often replaced with omega-6 oils).
ADHD Children and Omega-3
If your child will not eat fish, try mixing in flaxseed oil into certain foods, or look for “enriched” products (such as milks or breads) that have omega-3 added.
Can Diet Make a Difference to ADHD?
Most current scientific research indicates that only a small percentage of children will respond to a diet free of additives. However don’t let this stop you from experimenting with dietary changes.
At the very minimum an ADHD child should be eating 2 fish meals per week.
See Also
Omega-3 description – From Wikipedia.
Feingold Diet – A comprehensive outline of Dr Ben Feingold’s program.
Has anyone ever heard of Attend? It’s a herbal supplement made to help with ADD/ADHD. I haven’t had my daughter (7 yrs old) tested yet but she shows some of the signs.
I am the mother of two. I tried the elimatation (Feingold has a good program.) I found that this helped along with the fact that my son needed glasses.The schools test children but it was not enough to pinpoint the problem. Find a therapeutic Optometrist. As parent/caretaker you must try to find every thing you can to help the child. Maybe the change in what is eaten and meds help some. All I know is that I found what worked for my children without haviung to take meds and it has help me identified why I also had some of the systoms. Become a label reader and/or get back into the kitchen for some great cooking. Find other Organizations/Support Groups for support.
im 16 and have been diagnosed with adhd at 2{i no i shouldnt have been dignosed at that age but it has withheld that i am adhd} and from exsperiance wheat can make an adhd kid act more “hyper”. i went on an elimination diet when i was 9 and didnt have anything of a certin thing for a week then at the end of the week had some and my mom observed my behaver{shes a lvn} uhmm im not sure about the caffien kus ive had major kidney problems and cant have much of it so i wouldnt no what to say there.. but im doing more reserch into this to see if it helps kus i have very bad impuls control… anyway what i was sayign was that u can go to ur alergie dr and talk to them about the elimination diet to see what makes it “act up” and what doesnt.
well im a single mom of a 7 year old and he has adhd. the diet has done wonders for us i do not belive a child should be put on meds at such a young age in life.
I have experience of adhd,i agree that diet is a big part for “any growing child” particualarly children who are hyper active or sensitive to additives, with proper management and keeping the child stimulated,correct meds and dosage,as well as being consistent in daily routines,life can be fine,2 years is far to young to diagnose a child the child’s brain is only developing,ever hear of terrible twos.
You people shouldn’t be so fast to accept an ADHD diagnosis! Especially that ridiculous mother whom has had her son diagnosed supposedly by the age of 2yrs old?????? What doctor was this Dr.Stupid? He is too young to know for certain that it is ADHD and not something else.
im a single mum of 2 kids under the age of 3yrs old my eldest son is 2yrs 6months old hes just been diagnosed with adhd. im new to this id like to know where i can find out more about eating the right foods .
Well my nephew has severe ADHD, and yes i agree with HM
it’s a wiring in the brain problem, however some foods do enhance some of the behavioural problems
the worst for us are such things as citrus juice orange squash is a nightmare, coffee large amounts of high sugar content foods and anything brightly coloured
This is the stupidest thing I have ever heard…and you fools fall for it??
ADD and ADHD are caused by mis-wiring in the brain. Not sugar, not food. I will grant that food or additives or sugars may in fact enhance certain behaviors…these are NOT the cause of this disorder.
Oh, I live with ADD and ADHD people and they have done a LOT of research about this….I’m 100% confident of what I’m saying!
If you don’t like it….don’t reply.
i have add.i dont want medication.im 22.
what exactly i should’t eat
i have ADHD and it’s hard to live your life with but you if you keep trying you will get the hang of it yes people will make fun of you becouse you can’t stay words but you will get use to it.
I have a 23 year old son who is ADHD. His diet is simple. Nothing processed, no white bread, pasta, rice or anything else made with white flour and no carrots or potatoes. Absolutely NO apples in any form.(there is a chemical in the apple that nuteralizes any medication and makes control extrerely difficult for those not on medication.)
And suppliments of Calcium, Magnesium and Ginko aids with concentration.
Any changes in his diet have an effect on him with in 6 hours.
I have ADD and I know that with ADD and ADHD there is little that you can do. I had to be put on a med. in order to consintrate. I finaly learned to control myself and took myself off the medication. I have been off for 3 years and no diet helped. If it were not the fact that I hated the medication, wanting to go into the military, and no beeing able to eat I would probebly still be on it. My parents helped my through school and work on slowy wening my of the medication. I was also woried that once I was older I would not beable to get a job if my emplorer knew that I was on a medication. So if you think it is a diet that can help. You and your family can help and the right doctor. So if you have eny doughts contact your family doctor and ack him/her what can be done because I was never on a diet to help me. I a want to go on a diet so I can loose weight. A diet is for those that want to loose weight, diebedes, and serten disorders. NOT for ADD/ADHD.
very important drink Kangen water daily, it has helped my child, big improvement and I will not serve food with additives or preservatives very sensitive. I have to buy all my food now from health food stores and did lots of research.
We have a 7yo ADHD child, doing an elimination diet did wonders, found out that milk, eggs and 282 are triggers. Its not always the preservatives, some kids are just really sensitive to some things. It isn’t the lactose in the milk either, we think its the caseine. Hope this helps someone else.
this is very general… if you have clicked on this page then you obviously are dealing or know someone who is dealing with a child with this problem.. i suffered as a child from it as does my son.. if you need info you need to buy E- is for additives it is a fantastic ref book…
this did not give enough specific information on which additives or other food ingrediants affect these children
This was worthless.