Even well-behaved children become hyper occasionally, but some children regularly have trouble focusing or sitting still. A 2007 study at the University of Southampton, which researched the effect of food preservatives and artificial dyes on children with behavior ranging from normal to hyperactive, found that certain food additives may increase hyperactive behavior in young children.
Natural Foods
In light of research linking food additives to hyperactivity, changing your child's diet to include more natural foods and fewer so-called "convenience" foods may help to calm his mood. On SheKnows.com, Dr. Ann Kulze, MD recommends feeding kids plenty of fresh cut vegetables, such as carrot sticks, bell pepper strips, broccoli, cauliflower and celery. Incorporating low-fat yogurts, nuts and seeds, dried fruit and whole grain crackers into meals is also a healthy way to keep your child's diet balanced.
Relaxing Snacks
Replace your child's sugary snacks with healthy alternatives shown to reduce stress and have a calming effect. Almonds, avocados, oranges and skim milk provide vitamins and nutrients that may relax muscle tension, lower stress and bolster the immune system, reports WSYR TV. Give your kids stone ground tortilla chips and homemade guacamole for a salty snack. If your child has a sweet tooth, create a layered parfait using low-fat yogurt and fresh berries. Oatmeal, whole grain toast and other carbohydrates can also help calm your child by releasing serotonin in the brain. Treat your child occasionally with a small amount of dark chocolate, which also produces serotonin.
Foods to Avoid
When deciding to buy prepackaged or processed food items, read the ingredients label. The Mayo Clinic reports that additives that may cause increased hyperactivity in children include FD&C Yellow No. 5 and No. 6, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Red No. 40 and sodium benzoate. However, the Food and Drug Administration does not require food manufacturers to include certain dyes and preservatives in the ingredient labels. As a precaution, avoid brightly-colored foods, such as kids' cereals, candy and soda, which generally contain dyes and preservatives that may or may not be listed on the product label. Also pay attention to changes in your child's behavior. If you think an increase in hyperactivity may be linked to something he ate, try removing it from his diet to see if his behavior improves. However, if you think you might need to put your child on a restrictive diet, talk to a doctor or dietician first to ensure your child will get all the vitamins and nutrients he needs.
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