5 Things You Need to Know About the Feingold Diet

1. All About Children's Health

Created in the 1970s, the Feingold diet, or Feingold Program, helps children (and adults) deal with behavior and learning problems, especially those linked to attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Dr. Feingold, the program's founder, believed there was a strong link between the chemicals found in foods and the environment and children's behavior. Followers of the diet must adhere to a menu of approved foods. The whole program, including the approved shopping lists, is available for purchase through the Feingold.org website.

2. No More Artificial Dyes or Flavorings

Food additives containing artificial dyes and flavors have been around since the Industrial Revolution. So why are they now causing so much trouble? According to the Feingold diet, children eat refined foods loaded with chemicals on a much more regular basis than previously. Everything from candy to toothpaste contains chemicals that can interfere with learning and good behavior. Families following the Feingold Program must eliminate as many chemicals from their diets as possible. One of the biggest offenders, according to the Feingold Program, is salicylate, a group of chemicals found in synthetic and natural foods.

3. No Results Are User Error

According to the Feingold website, changes may happen in as early as 3 days, but most likely, it will take several weeks to see results. If problems persist, the program suggests that other causes might be at work, like allergies or sensitivities in children. The Feingold Program believes that toxins in the air can contribute to misbehavior and learning problems just as much as a child's diet. It claims that parents must address all these issues before they can expect tangible results. Most lack of success on the Feingold Program is attributed to user mistakes, not the program itself.

4. Excuse for Misbehavior, or Target for Big Business?

Critics of the Feingold Program claim that it is nothing more than an excuse for children to avoid taking responsibility for their actions. Of course, there is big business in prescription drugs like Ritalin, as well as in processed foods. Moreover, according to the Feingold Program, these businesses are the real naysayers, not scientists, medical experts or nutritionists.

5. Bottom Line: There Are No Scientific Links

While the basic advice of the Feingold diet--cutting out additives in foods--is something everyone could use, there is little scientific evidence to support that it works. Studies show that only 1 percent of children benefit from elimination diets like the Feingold Program. The best bet parents can take is to discuss dietary changes with their pediatrician before they shell out hard-earned cash for a program with dubious results.