Hyperactivity is not just a child's disorder. Many adults also experience problems. Hyperactivity can result in sleep disorders, lack of concentration and muscle fatigue. Altering your diet can reduce some of the effects of this disorder, and can resolve some of the underlying causes.
Step 1
Add fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet. When cooking vegetables, steam or bake them. This reduces the amount of nutrients lost. When purchasing fruits and vegetables, look for products that are locally grown. Organic produce is the best choice. Getting the most nutrition from the food you eat is vital, especially if you experience metabolic disorders such as hyperactivity. Fresh fruits and vegetables have large amounts of nutrients and contain fiber that allows for proper digestion of those nutrients.
Step 2
Eliminate all (or at least most) processed foods. Processed foods contain additives and preservatives that your body may not be able to tolerate. You'll have to give up some of the convenience of quick meals, but in the long run your body will get better nutrients, with fewer chemicals added to your body. The body's metabolism is set to a certain point to allow it to function at maximum efficiency. When the body's ability to function is altered or stressed because of the difficulty in utilizing the food you consume, metabolic problems and hyperactivity issues may be the result.
Step 3
Eliminate foods that are high in phosphates. Most carbonated beverages contain high levels of phosphates. Phosphates inhibits the body's ability to absorb and utilize calcium. Though they block the absorption of some vitamins and minerals, phosphates are also known to activate metabolic pathways that allow for the growth of some types of cancers and an overabundance of some hormones.
Step 4
Eat more protein-rich foods, such as fish, tuna, chicken and salmon. Fish are high in the essential fatty acids that the body needs to function properly. Red meat is high in phosphorus and should be limited to once or twice a week. Dairy foods are high in protein but should also be eaten in moderation. Protein works as a building material for muscle tissue and as a fuel source. Building stronger muscle tissue allows for better oxygen use by the tissues. Stronger muscle tissue helps the body move easier and helps other body mechanisms, such as the cardiovascular and lymph systems, to work more efficiently. As muscles move, they assist these other systems in their movements.
Step 5
Eliminate all refined sugars. There are other options such as honey, beet sugar and stevia that can be used in place of processed sweeteners. Avoid artificial sweeteners as well. They contain chemical components that may be similar to sugar but can be very dangerous to the brain. Processed sugars break down easily and enter the bloodstream very quickly, giving the body an instant boost of energy. Complex sugars and carbohydrates are released much more slowly; they allow for more sustained levels of energy instead of short spurts.
Step 6
Use the elimination process to find out what foods in your diet are triggering bouts of hyperactivity. You can do this by removing things from your diet for two to three weeks and then reintroducing them to see if your body elicits a reaction. If it does, you know to avoid those foods in the future. Finding foods that trigger bouts of hyperactivity is a key to understanding what your body does and does not need.
Step 7
Keep a wellness/diet journal. This will also help you track what you eat and your eating habits, as well as your moods, energy levels and other changes you may want to report to your physician. This will also help you discover connections between what you are eating and how each food or group of foods affects your body and its energy levels.
References
- Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Phyllis A Balch, 2006
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