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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.
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Reading all these posts is very heart wrenching, i have many cousins who are ADHD among other things, I have no real personal experience of dealing with ADHD children myself but in many discussions with my aunties re their children it always amazed me how little the role of diet came into the equation.
I am not a human doctor but a vet and the FIRST thing we analyze when confronted with an animal with behavioural changes is diet – be it deficiencies in some trace mineral, access to toxins/contaminates or imbalances of nutrients.
I definately think medicine has a place in properly diagnosed mental disturbances and parents who have tried it all im sure hold themselves in much guilt over having to resort to medication when they shouldn’t, but how much of a normal childs so called ‘acting out’ could be modified by making sure their diet is complete and contains all the required trace minerals and is void of artificial colors/flavors, and excess sugars etc. ??
I always wondered this and it would be good if there were some serious long term studies that could shed some more light on it.
Sorry yall 3 Year old
My # year old is about to make me nuts. He doesnt listen to anything I say and its like nothing clicks with him. He is still not potty trained but poops in his pants and comes tot ell me he needs a new diaper and says please dont whip me………why is he pooping in his diaper then? He throws temper fits and I am at my whits end with him. What do I do?
I have 4 kids and 3 have ADHD and the other has ADD. Two are on Ritalin from the age of 5 and 6yrs old and the oldest is 13 now. I am trying not to put my 6 yr old on Ritalin. Even though I know how much it can help during school hours, it is a nightmare when the tablets stop working. It is very hard to know what is the right thing to do. I know that I myself have ADHD. When I was 12 I was diagnosed as Dyslexic and that was all. I found school very hard and the worst thing for me was I had a high IQ (like most people with ADHD) but couldn’t express myself in the written word nor the spoken. My self essem hit rock bottem. So for me any help I can give my kids (if it be Ritalin) I will do it. My first child was diagnosed at 3yrs!!! Madness. I took him to OT and Speach theropy, every sport under the sun, neurologists,omega 3 oils no sugar diets. You name it I did it. In the end I gave him Ritalin at the age of 6. 6 months later changed the dosage.and again 6 months after that. It has taken us 5 yrs to get to the right dosage and he has just this year moved to a “smaller class”. My 3rd child was alot more “H” than my son and from kidergarten went to a special needs kindergarten. We were told at 5 to put her on Ritalin. My 4th child I hope to try a more natural approach. More options on the market today.
Sorry for going on it was good to get it off my chest. Just love them even when its hard for us coz if it’s hard for us it’s alot worse for them.
I knew there was something different about my daughter when she was just a few weeks old but it was a long time before i went to see anyone about it. I hadnt heard about ADHD at the time. In fact it was a co worker of my mum who recognised her symptoms as she has a son and a daughter with it. With her advise and some research in the library things started to change. Doctors and other health professionals were unhelpful, apparently girls are much less likely to suffer. Well when it takes 3 adults to take one 3 year old to the park there is something not quite right, we just couldnt keep up with her. I did change the obvious things such as sweets and additives but she would also go off the wall with fresh strawberries and oranges. I could give her original ribena but none of the other flavours this is due to the original being purer, i’m now very good at reading labels. She takes omega 3 fish oils which really helps, when she lays off them it is obvious. My daughter is 10 now and it really does get better, talking to other parents, reading up on as much as poss and trial & error has been the backbone of my sanity.
Has anyone looked at the possible risk of ” aspartame, and other Sweeteners” when dealing with ADHD and other complaints !!!
Hi, I’m 15 years old about to turn 16 I have hadA.D.H.D since I was 3 years old I have been taking medicane since i was in 2nd grade I hated t sooo muchhhh lol but it actually helps me I have been slowly getting off of it every other day, every two day, and once a week just try no soda and not alot of candy or sweet NO SUGAR helps alot!
I would like to thank Jasmine (April 4th, 19 years) for coming forward.
My daughter, also named Jasmine, is 6 and was diagnosed with ADHD half way through her first year of school. I always thought it in the back of my mind and after reading a not-so-helpful book I have been worried for her ever since. I didn’t know if she’d grow up happy and have a job etc. I believe my husband has ADHD and he turned out fine, he’s very clever in fact but growing up he was always in trouble and considered a ‘naughty boy’ I don’t want that for my daughter. She’s funny, very cute, loves to read and is very loving but I know she struggles and doesn’t understand why she “gets in to trouble all the time”. I don’t know any other girls who have ADHD and none that are young.
My 3 year old son was just recently diagnosed with ADHD and was prescribed ritalin which i expressed my concerns about to the doctor, i still havent got the meds becos i wanted to get alternatives, i think im going to try this diet and i had already noticed soft drinks and juices make him hyper. Can i give his soy milk instead?
Hi my child was diagnosed with A.D.H.D 2 years ago ,in ireland and we have been through tough times.There is’nt any help family would’nt be must supportive.We have little girl aged 3 and boy aged 20 months.We have small house and garden .I have studied special needs A.D.H.D people are ignorant to the fact it is a special need and think with a good slap he will be cured just a bold child.My child had very difficult birth,23hrs in labour ,then used forceps,suction .I blame doctors my homeopath put me in touch with woman that does Bio-energy ,who put me in touch with man Tom Griffin that does plexusbio-energy who after one treatment he I feel after is getting better long road there yet but not putting him on meds just so he will be quiet in school ,relax kids is also very informative.All schools feel child should sit every day not move for 8 hrs ,might be possible on meds as you so doped.In my opinion changes your child’s personality .I have seen witnessed children on Straterra they might be quiet in school ,but after it leaves system they are same again all trial & error been a parent to child with a need!There are not enough groups to help parent’s with need’s met.
Wow, great to read everyones comments. My son is 51/2 and I thought he had add when he was around 31/2 but he has only just been given a diagnosis. I have the prescription for Ritalin but am holding off until I do all the other things first. I changes his school as I didn’t think the environment was positive and even if we had the teachers trained in special needs I didn’t think you can buy attitude. His new school is not all singing all dancing, but I truly believe it is what goes on in the classroom that counts. The school also has a special needs department and he attends this centre twice a week to work on academic stuff but some behavioural management techniques.
The classroom management is key it seems, as is the behavioural management both at home and at school and I am hoping to get a special needs teachers in a couple of hours a week to work on being super nanny ANC help with my parenting style as it is very easy to feel ineffective in your approach. We are also looking at diet, nothing major just no cows milk lactose dairy, supplement tablets, no caffeine, and crap foods, just doing the sensible stuff. OLlie also seems educational psychologist once a week to help with all this.
I feel very lucky that we have got a diagnosis early before his self esteem is effected and hopefully we can work on helping him find some coping mechanisms. I always feel vey anxious when I read about possible future disorders, oppositional disorder, misconduct disorder, anti social disorder and possible future drug issues. It is all very depressing and quite worrying.
Just watched a discovery health programme about a family struggling with their 6 year old daughter who has early childhood schonphonia…And you think we have it tough..there is always some else out there who has it worse than us!
I have a little boy that will be 10 years old next month. He was diagnosed with ADHD in 2nd grade. His teacher brought it to my attention and I went through the process of getting him tested. He was put on medication, but I always felt unsure about it. I didn’t like the thought of my child’s personality and thinking being altered by a medication at such a young age. After a few months I noticed many changes. He was quiet and sometimes depressed. I also started to notice a “tic” which is associated with Turret Syndrome. He had never had symptoms before so this was very scary. I took him back to the doctor and he was put on a different medication (non-stimulant). This was going on for about a year and finally I got the phone call that changed my whole outlook on things. His 3rd grade teacher called me and said “I know he is on medication for ADHD, but I just feel like he is not participating and taking in everything like he should.” She described him as being in a cloud, I described him as being in a zombie state. She asked how I felt about taking him off to see how he reacted. I was all for it! We both knew it would be a process and there wouldn’t be instant results. I would call his teacher everyother day to get an updated on his behavior and participation. While that was going on I did my research and realized that a healthier could also help change things. After about a month of him being off of the medication and eating healthier. He became more active, more social and the best part about it was all of his grades had gone up. He was actually improving while off of the medication. I am not against children being medicated. Some of them may need it, but others just need natural changes and people that are willing to work with the disorder. 64% of children diagnosed are actually just suffering from food allergies. That statistic is shocking to me! I think that as parents we should do our research and try to go the natural route as much as possible. It will save time, money and most importantly keep our children healthier.
if anything, please read this article about the relation between ADHD and food allergys http://www.adhdenvoeding.nl/cms/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Pelsser-The-Lancet-2011-Publication-INCA-study.pdf
Hi,this is my first time ever reading anything like this & not feeling left out or alone..I have 2 beautiful boys 15&10 & they were both diagnosed with ADHD & ADD.It’s been a very tricky few years that we’ve finally came to an agreement where we as in parents,child,school,athletics & lets not forget counseling that our oldest is doing very well in school & daily social life.yes..he is a teen & I expect some misbehaving (gum under chair,called brother a brat)small things, but he has done such a turn around that even family or friends we hadn’t seen in months even years have noticed what a BIG change he has done.He takes stratera 100mg 1x a day have him on a diet & into (sports just this year).He had tried ritalin & 2 years ago switched to stratera (at a low dose)it took awhile & yes we had the calls from school & parents about his behavior & attitude &&&&&&…you know, everything. I would sometimes cry & think was it me & my parenting skills, or my mom saying (when you have kids they’re going to be 10 times worse).It was hard but we all got through that together as a family & sometimes not all kids do well with meds. like my youngest which was weened off & trying diets & excercise & counseling & working close with our Dr.(let’s not forget TLC)!!!It might work for some kids and not others, but the reason for my comment is to let parents or even family & friends know that it’s o.k,it’s o.k when you have someone you love or know with ADHD,ADD to feel confused at times because it’ll just make you more stronger & learn more everyday about that person to help keep them on the right path to a success story like mine.IT JUST TAKES TIME.
this was very heplful thank you
I have a 10 year old son who was diagnosed with ADHD when he was in 2nd grade. I am looking at switching over to clean eating and saw this website. Some of the comments on here make me sad. Why do parents feel like they have let their children down if they have to use medication as part of their child’s treatment. If your child was diabetic would you feel like a failure that you had to give him or her insulin? I believe there is no one thing that helps a child with ADHD be successful. Right now we have my son on medication. We also see a therapist every week to help him learn coping mechanisms. He also helps us to learn ways to help our son get through “meltdowns”. Overall the best thing you can do for your child is to love them, focus on the positive and help to retrain how they think about themselves and helping them to learn how to remove themselves from overstimulating situations. When a situation is too much for my son to handle he goes to his room to build with Legos until he can come back with a clear head. Focusing on the positive and building up their self esteem (many kids with ADHD eventually suffer from depression and anxiety) . JACKIE may I suggest using an egg timer and a schedule to help your son to do the common every day tasks. Time management and is a struggle for kids with ADHD and so is remembering everything they are supposed to do. You may need to be more involved with getting your child ready and walk through the steps of whatever you want him to accomplish, but everyone will be happier in the end.
I’ve just come across this site because i think my 7yr old son has ADHD. I haven’t got him seen to because im not sure if i could cope with giving him medication to control it for the rest of his life. He’s having problems at school, he’s flighty, he never sits in one place, Always jumping rather than walking, never listens to anything thats said to him and is always doing something that ends up in him being hurt!!
While i was reading some of your comments about the Diet i was thinking that i’d never be able to get him to eat anything like that because fish & really anything healthy he wouldnt be a fan off!!
Can some one please get back to me with Diet solution to see if i could help instead of medication. Thanks
Hey,
I have ADD and I’m 19,
I only got diagnosed in the middle if high school when I started dropping behind at school, now I’m at uni doing nursing and next year I might do medicine.
Don’t think that just because a child is ADD that they are not capable of a lot.
Many people with ADD are very creative and smart.
I can tell you that honestly the best thing that helped me was medication but when you’re talking about children so young, I understand the conflict.
The natural things that have helped me a lot are:
1. YOGA (for all ages. do it. seriously.)
you will notice an improvement, this requires focus and willpower.
2. always point out the good, unique things that your child has to offer and congratulate them on accomplishments,
this is very important.
3.fish. avocado. green tea (maybe not for children as it has more caffeine than coffee, i find this super helpful)
also, don’t assume just because a child is acting out, they have ADD. doctors over-diagnose it for sure. That is too common a conclusion and after meeting other adults with ADD I have realized a pattern: creative, “different”, smart (uniquely), leaders. I also don’t sleep much at all, like 4-5 hours. which is fine for me.
they may not listen, but thats because they have their own ideas, and when they get to express those ideas, they will be worth hearing. also sometimes i don’t listen to others because i am focussing intensely. a rare moment…
My daughter is 6 and has an appointment at the doctors next week to be tested for ADHD. I have always felt she has had this condition but things have got worse lately which has led me to getting her tested next week. I have found all this info extremely helpful so thanks to everyone.
my child was first diagnosed when he was 5 yrs of age
i expressed my concerns very early on and i was told it was nothing to worry about “he is just being a boy”
my son is nearly 15 now and after many assessments and regulat counselling appointments withe medical experts my son not only struggles with his education ,now in high school but mentally his levels are that of a primary school child, as well as ADHD he has been diagnosed with PDD-NOS, he suffers extreme anxiety and can be aggressive ,he requires assistance to ensure his daily needs are met properly ,he just does not understand.it has been a long and hard road ,does it get easier ???
My son hasn’t officially been diagnosed with ADHD. We are in the process of doing that but wanted to explore natural alternatives before he gets tested. First step was pulling him out of school where he was ostracized for acting out. It was crushing his spirit! Next we found his adenoids were enlarged which can greatly effect sleep and cause ADHD like symptom. It has been almost a month and his sleeping is much improved. While we wait for psych testing we will do this diet for sure!
My son was just diagnosed with ADHD, and he is 5 1/2. We just started him on a low dose of Adderol this Saturday. It was so hard on me to give him medicine, I could help but leave the room and cry. He was getting into alot of trouble at school and was having some major behavioral problems. My husband and I looked into couseling, which we are still going to foresee, however we took him to see a pediatrician who specializing in ADD/ADHD. We had to fill out a questionaire, his teacher filled one out, and we had blood work done and an AKG to rule out anything else. We also tried to switch up his diet but he will not eating anything healthy! We try so hard that we are at are wits end! It makes things even harder that we have 2 other boys, and one is an infant. I am so sad that we had to put him on medication. I feel like i failed him. My girlfriend sent me this web address. It is nice to know that i am not alone.
Natasha, reading your comments brings it all back, maybe we are of similar era, ie I’m in my 40′s. Amazing we have made it through really. Depression in mid teens. All I remember was throwing myself into sport. Gymnastic’s, swimming,tennis, running, badmington. no stop then I didn’t have to face lunchtimes. I made friends from sport. My son has just been confirmed having adhd, and my 3rd looks as if she has it. It’s a relief to know, but the sadness of what their battles are going to be. Does anyone have suggestion for good brain exercises for focus?
i have a 10 year old son with adhd he doesnt listen at all.
Hi I have a child with adhd and i want to thank everybody for there tips and information. My son and his mother are seperated now she is married to somebody els, i dont see my child much because his mother says stat i give him to much sweets and i didn’t know it can have an avect on his behaviour. Once again i want to thank everybody for there coments. For as long as i do the things her way i can see my child more.
Hi Jackie, I have a son that is 9 and I have been dealing with his ADHD since he was small, but I Didn’t realize it til he was fluctuating academically.I think it is so much harder on us as parents because we get frusterated and feel guilt at the same time, but it is a challenge and I would advise you to make a set of rules of the house, make a list and have him check it before he sleeps, start with what is most annoying to you and use that chart as tasks to complete for the week, then go on to something else that is bothering you the most and so on, when the task requirements are fufilled, he will get a reward, maybe a day out or his favorite dvd, and when not fufilled, he will get a sad face circled on the chart, but don’t get angry, just Say ” hope you can get it done the next time honey” we all have our days, but be patient and try to work on one thing at a time, choose the things he likes the most to entice him, and good luck and hang in there, I completely understand and I still struggle , but some days are easier than others. all my support,
Vivian
hi there my son was 3 when i was told he had ADHD now he is 11 and has changed alot but i still have problems with getting him to do ever day things like clean teeth and wash clean up and the live skills he will need to have a good clean life. so if any one can help please drop me a line i love him more than anything in the world but he is pushing the limets now days
I was diagnosed with ADHD at _Six Months Old._ I have been on different meds, and currently Strattera is working fairly well for me. I am very surprised that phosphates are not mentioned in this diet. I check carefully before buying something, and eliminating phosphates helps more than you would think. Plus, I had problems with my kidneys, pain / bleeding included, and it has completely disappeared! Please try this if you struggle with AD(H)D, it has really helped me a lot!
OMG reading this has become an eye opening experiance for me. My 8 year old daughter has ASpergers and ADHD and my 2 year old is just like Natashas 2 year old and now reading how Natasha was growing up was like describing me! maybe I will show my daughters consultant this
Maybe the information wasn’t the best and a bit general, but I’ve found the comments on the on-line forum worth there weight in gold.
I’m a mother of 2, and came across this website when looking for answers to my own 2 year old’s behaviour. She is hyper even for a 2 year old, has trouble sleeping and eating. She seems to get distracted so easily that she finds it hard to eat and tosses and turns at night that she survives on a few hours of sleep.
My mother recently told me she suspected I had ADHD as a child. Reading the symptoms I tend to agree to an extent. So thought I would share my thoughts on medicine versus diet and behaviour. I’ve had no experience with medicine and it seems to work for some people but not all. There is also the question of if you would want to be depended on a drug to control your focus. The alternatives are diet and learnt behaviour. As a young adult I had a diet change and cut out most sugars. Mostly survived on rice and veg and a little meat. For me it didn’t really help. What did help was learnt behaviour. Lists! with rewards even a tick when you finished a task. Counselling ( its very lonely to be a ADHD kid- noone wants to know you) and counselling lets you get all that hurt out in a positive way as well as learning why no-one wants to know you and how to change it. Even if its just drawing a picture.
I spent many hours in primary school sitting in a classroom writing lines because of spelling mistakes. I also spent a lot of time in the library as my behaviour isolated me from other kids – I threw tantrums, ran out of class a lot. My teachers would make me stand up in class and ask me questions I couldn’t answere as I had been daydreaming. I would be laughed at in class. It hurts. i found the worst ages for me was 9-11 and 16-18 (depression).
between the ages of 11-15. things did change. at 12 i was top of most my classes due to the lists helping me to focus, i had friends. by 16, i had backslid on the lists.
anxiety makes it worse. words come out wrong and this leads to more stress. i found doing listening exercises helped with this.
i hope my 2 year old is normal, and her behaviour will pass. i hope to find an easy solution. so i feel for the lady whose 2 year old has been diagnosed.