Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition diagnosed most often in children, according to Every Diet. This condition is characterized by inability to pay attention, hyperactivity and impulsiveness. In addition to medical treatments and/or behavioral changes, your child's diet can play a factor in achieving better control over ADHD symptoms.
Foods to Avoid
You know that caffeine can stimulate your system, making you feel more alert. In a person with ADHD, caffeine can overstimulate the body, causing your child to be even more hyperactive, according to Every Diet. In addition to avoiding caffeine, you also should avoid giving sugar to you child. While studies are mixed on its effects, it may lead to overly excitable behavior. Food additives also may affect your child's behavior. Read nutrition labels carefully for additives such as sodium benzoate, FD&C Yellow No. 6, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Yellow No. 5 and FD&C Red No. 40, according to Mayo Clinic. Because these may be labeled with other terms, keep in mind that brightly colored foods often have these types of additives.
Considerations
When it comes to purchasing foods, particularly produce, organic may be best, according to Dr. David Perlmutter, author, physician and consultant on Health Castle. Organic foods do not contain pesticides, additives or toxins that could affect your ADHD child. Other additives to avoid include fish that are high in mercury, which may affect your child's ability to concentrate. For this reason, avoid serving your child shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish, all of which have been linked with high mercury levels.
Brain Foods
ADHD has been shown to affect neurotransmitters in your child's brain. For this reason, a proper diet should include foods that have been linked with enhancing brain function. Some examples include omega-3 foods, such as low-mercury fish, walnuts and flaxseeds, according to Health Castle. A supplement containing omega-3s, N-acetyl-cysteine, phosphatidylserine, alpha lipoic acid, coenzyme Q-10 or ginkgo biloba also may help to improve brain function, according to Dr. Perlmutter.
Recommended Foods
A healthy diet filled with natural foods benefits your child's overall health and can reduce ADHD symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. Your child's diet should include a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit sugar and refined and processed foods--in general, prepare foods and snacks that come from their natural sources as much as possible. Protein also is an important source for those with ADHD because it triggers neurotransmitters that can improve concentration, according to "ADDitude" magazine. Beginning your child's day with a protein-rich breakfast of foods like milk, eggs, lean meat or an ounce of cheese can help.
Elimination Diet
Each ADHD child's food sensitivities can differ, according to "ADDitude." One way to determine if your child is affected by certain foods is to initiate an elimination diet. This involves removing foods from the diet known to cause symptoms, then slowly re-introducing the foods. If you re-introduce a food and your child begins to exhibit symptoms, this can indicate a child should avoid the food. Examples of foods that may cause a reaction include lamb, chicken, potatoes, rice, bananas, apples, cucumbers, celery, cabbage, cauliflower, salt and pepper. If you do not see any changes in your child's behavior during this time, his diet may not be a factor.
