The Feingold diet for ADD (attention deficit disorder) helps you determine if elements in your diet trigger undesirable symptoms. This diet does not recommend the elimination of junk food or sugar. In fact, the Feingold Association continually looks for mainstream supermarket items and fast food menu choices that fit the diet's criteria.
Creator
The creator of the Feingold Diet is Dr. Benjamin F. Feingold from Pittsburgh, PA. Born in 1899, he held several prestigious positions throughout his career including Chief of Pediatrics at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Los Angeles and Chief of Allergy at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, according to information provided by the Feingold Association of the United States. This naval veteran who served as a Senior Medical Officer on the USS Lenawee died on March 23, 1982.
What is it?
The Feingold Diet was originally developed to treat adult aspirin sensitivity. As described by the Feingold Association of the United States, this diet is a test that allows you to determine if specific foods and food additives trigger your particular symptoms of ADD and allergies. Certain elements are removed from the diet and observations are noted. It suggests trying the Feingold Diet as a part of treatment protocol supervised by a health professional.
Eliminated Items
To adhere to the Feingold diet, you must eliminate artificial coloring, flavoring, sweeteners and preservatives, along with salicylate from your diet. This includes BHA and BHT, as well as nitrates, monosodium glutamate and colored dyes used in soft drinks and colored toothpaste. BHA and BHT are preservatives commonly found in commercial brands of breakfast cereals. Salicylate belongs to a group of chemicals related to common aspirin.
Efficacy
According to a review of all published, completed controlled studies conducted by Jeffrey A. Mattes, MD a staff psychiatrist at the Carrier Foundation and the former medical director of the Child Development Clinic at Long Island Jewish-Hillside Medical Center, the Feingold Diet is probably not effective for ADD, save a small percentage of children. The report, published in the June 1983 issue of the "Journal of Learning Disabilities" found that although a few studies show positive results, the improvement seems to be a placebo effect caused by increased attention.
Starting the Diet
To start the Feingold Diet, you can join the Feingold Association's non-profit program. Volunteers who have had success with changing their diet according to this protocol donate time to help you when you call their toll-free number or make contact online.
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