What Are Some Healthy Foods for a Hyperactive Child?

There are different schools of thought on what causes hyperactivity in children, but studies have shown that the old thinking about sugar being the enemy is actually a myth. Food additives, preservatives such as benzoate, coloring and artificial sweeteners, however, are now almost universally accepted as being something that can cause, or at least trigger, hyperactivity, by making the nervous system overactive. They're only found in processed foods, so natural, wholesome foods offer your child energy and nutrition without the hyperactive side effect. In addition, foods that are rich in calcium and magnesium, like vegetables, nuts, seeds and dairy can be calming to our bodies.

Vegetables

Feed your child fresh cut vegetables, such as celery sticks, strips of sweet bell pepper, cauliflower and broccoli florets, or baby carrots, with a healthy dip such as low-fat ranch dressing, hummus, salsa or guacamole. Frozen vegetables are also fine, but canned ones often contain additives.

Fruit

Offer your child fresh, frozen, or pure dried fruit. If choosing canned fruit, select those packed in 100 percent juice rather than syrup. Good dried fruit to keep on hand includes dried apricots, cranberries, pineapples, prunes, raisins, apple rings, and 100 percent fruit roll-ups.

Keep tasty fresh fruit snacks ready to eat in the fridge, such as wedges of apples or pears, chunks of bananas, seedless grapes, apricots, peaches, pieces of melon, oranges, berries and plums.

Dip cut fruit in yogurt or peanut butter, or create a fruit and yogurt parfait by layering fruit, low-fat yogurt and granola in a tall glass. Make fruit smoothies by blending frozen bananas or berries with some ice, and milk or yogurt.

Dairy Foods

Serve plain low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese mixed with fresh fruit or a spoonful of frozen concentrated fruit juice. For a special treat, try light ice cream or sorbet topped with berries.

Natural cheese is another good choice, including string cheese, and pre-cut cubes or slices of cheese. Avoid processed cheese slices or processed cheese spread.

Nuts and Seeds

Peanuts, almonds, walnuts and cashews make good snacks. If choosing peanut butter, go for a natural one where the only ingredient is peanuts, rather than sugar and other additives. Roasted soy nuts, sunflower seeds and roasted pumpkin seeds are other tasty options.

Grains

Oatmeal, whole grain cereals, and granola bars are all good choices, since they offer energy in a wholesome package. When choosing cereals, look for "whole" as the first word in the list of ingredients, and at least three grams of fiber per serving. For extra fiber, add wheat germ to cereals, fruit smoothies and parfaits.

Whole grain crackers make satisfying snacks, as well as air-popped popcorn and stone ground tortilla chips; check the label to make sure that "corn" is one of the only ingredients.

Protein

Besides the protein found in nuts, seeds, and dairy products, you can get healthy protein from lean meat and hard-boiled eggs fortified with omega-3. Avoid processed meat, such as pre-made burgers, chicken nuggets, bologna, hot dogs and fish sticks; instead go for grilled fish and chicken breasts, pure ground beef, lean steaks, and pork chops.

Sweets

Hyperactive children don't need to completely avoid sweets, as it was once thought. However, you should still make smart choices.

Dark chocolate actually makes a healthy treat, as it's low in sugar and contains antioxidants. Look for the highest cocoa content available. It does have caffeine in it though; it's best to limit caffeine in a hyperactive child to 45 mg a day or less, which is about the amount in a serving of cola. A serving of dark chocolate has about half that.

Instead of store-bought processed cookies, make homemade cookies out of wholesome ingredients like oatmeal and raisins. Avoid donuts, cakes, pastries and candy with preservatives and food dye in them, as well as beverages with sugar and additives, such as fruit drinks, sports drinks and soda pop.