| When discussing the subject of foods to avoid if you | | | | that consuming foods over the course of a day or |
| have an ADHD child there are three basic areas of | | | | even half a day may promote hyperactivity. |
| concern: food additive, refined sugars, and food | | | | Food Allergies (Sensitivities) - Food allergies and ADHD |
| allergies. | | | | is a controversial subject among experts. While artificial |
| Food Additives: The originator of the idea that food | | | | colorings and preservatives seem to be the most |
| additives play a role in hyperactivity in children is Dr. | | | | common substances that cause hyperactivity, no |
| Benjamin Feingold. His ground breaking book Why | | | | children tested were sensitive to these alone. This |
| Your Child is Hyperactive (1975) provided the basis for | | | | situation suggests that, since food allergies or |
| linking food additives to hyperactivity. His claim was | | | | sensitivities can cause psychological symptoms, |
| that the elimination of foods containing artificial colors, | | | | elimination of just food additives from the diet is |
| artificial flavors, salicylates, and certain other additives | | | | inadequate. The diet must also be free of any food |
| stopped hyperactivity. | | | | allergen. Put differently, if a child has an allergy to milk, it |
| Later studies seemed to back Feingold to a limited | | | | is necessary to eliminate not only sources of food |
| degree, finding that approximately 1% of all ADHD | | | | additives from the diet, but also milk. The ten foods to |
| children would benefit from eliminating food additives. | | | | avoid if you have an ADHD child and are trying to |
| The problematic part is that there is no way to identify | | | | reduce the risk of food allergies and sensitivities are: |
| the 1% in advance. | | | | cow's milk, soy, chocolate, grapes, oranges, peanuts, |
| Refined Sugars: Recent studies back the idea that that | | | | wheat, corn, tomatoes, eggs, and apples. |
| refined sugars are very likely one of the foods to | | | | What next? Take the information above and continue |
| avoid if you have an ADHD child. Past clinical | | | | to research the subject foods to avoid ADHD. |
| observations and first hand reports from parents | | | | Additionally, many parents are opting for all natural |
| suggest that refined sugar promotes adverse | | | | remedies such as homeopathy. These safe and |
| behavioral reactions in children. The number one | | | | effective formulas have been shown to be helpful in |
| behavioral improvement reported by parents is in the | | | | addressing the common symptoms of ADHD such as |
| area of hyperactivity. Additionally, research suggests | | | | hyperactivity, impulsiveness, erratic behavior, and |
| that some children appear to become more active | | | | twitching. ADHD alternative treatment methods such |
| after a high carbohydrate breakfast combined with | | | | as homeopathy will deliver powerful, lasting results |
| consumption of refined sugars. This may also suggest | | | | especially when combined with diet modification. |