There are so many tasty foods to choose from today. Breakfast bars, fruity cereals, potato chips and ready-to-munch crackers with filling, are but a few of the many flavorful food choices. Kids typically love sugary snacks and quick treats, but the preservatives in these food items may not be as good for your child's health as they make the food taste. Not all children respond the same way to preservatives in their foods, but some kids may suffer from behavioral symptoms if they consume foods that contain chemical preservatives, according to the "Gale Encyclopedia of Diets."
Food Preparation
As our lives become busier and more demanding, food manufacturers offer more convenience food items, designed to save time in the kitchen. Preservatives are substances that extend the shelf life of the food and retard the growth of bacteria, mold or fungus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, requires food manufacturers to not only list preservatives, but to also briefly explain their use. For example, if the label lists "Ascorbic Acid," it will also state, "to Promote Color Retention," so consumers know the substance is a preservative and not an ingredient in producing the food.
Allergic Reaction
According to 20th century researcher and author, Dr. Ben Feingold, preservatives in foods, along with artificial colorings and flavorings, might trigger behavioral symptoms in children who are allergic to these substances. Feingold published, ''Why Your Child is Hyperactive,'' detailing how these substances trigger chemical changes in a child's brain, according to the "Gale Encyclopedia."
Studies
Comprehensive studies on preservatives as behavioral triggers are lacking, but a 2010 study, conducted at Perth's Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, concluded that a "Western" diet, meaning a diet high in processed, convenience foods, might cause attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, symptoms. The study followed 115 children diagnosed as having ADHD and monitored what they ate. Researcher, associate professor and leader of nutrition studies at the Institute, Wendy Oddy, concluded that kids who ate the Western-style diet were twice as likely to suffer from ADHD.
Diet Plans
The Feingold diet is still the recommended means of determining if food additives and preservatives are causing a child's behavioral problems, according to the "Gale Encyclopedia." Feingold advocated removing all types of processed food items from a child's diet and then reintroducing the banned foods, one at a time, and monitoring the child's behavior to determine the substances that caused the behavior.
Considerations
Because many parents depend upon processed foods, it may be difficult to offer their child a diet free from all preservatives. While whole, natural foods are always a good choice, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, parents should consult their child's pediatrician before attempting an elimination diet.
References
- Food and Drug Administration: Food Ingredient Lists
- "The Gale Encyclopedia of Diets: A Guide to Health and Nutrition"; Jacqueline L. Longe, 2008
- Eureka Alert: Western Diet Link to ADHD
