The Feingold Diet Program For Adhd

The Feingold Diet, also known as Feingold Program or K-P diet, is a food-elimination program developed in the 1960s by Dr. Ben Feingold. It is one of the most popular diets proposed for the treatment of ADHD. Although the efficacy of the Feingold diet is still disputed by conventional doctors, extensive research studies recognize the benefits of using the diet's principles.

How It Works

The Feingold Diet is a test similar to an allergy elimination diet. In phase one, certain foods are eliminated from the diet for several weeks. These foods include artificial colors, preservatives and flavorings and some foods containing salicylates. If the child's symptoms are improved, then the test becomes the actual treatment. In the second phase, certain foods containing salicylates can be gradually re-introduced in the diet, while watching if any of the old symptoms reoccur.

Food List

The food list contains more than 1,000 acceptable brand-name foods and nonfood products that can be used while on the diet. In many cases, a company makes several foods that are acceptable and some that should be avoided according to this program. Unlike other diets, the Feingold Diet allows in moderation sugar and snack foods such as potato chips or cookies. The food list is updated on a regular basis and can be purchased as part of the Member Package from the Feingold Association.

Benefits

According to the Feingold Association, the diet can help overcome behavior problems such as hyperactivity, impulsive and compulsive actions, and emotional issues linked to ADHD. Also the Feingold Association claims that learning difficulties caused by short attention span and writing or reading problems can be also improved in children using the Feingold diet. In addition, other symptoms experienced by ADHD patients such as ear infections, asthma, migraines, bed-wetting and eczema can possibly be reduced while on the diet.

Research

The Feingold Association's website includes 80 clinical studies completed between 1975 and 2010. While the effectiveness of the Feingold diet is still debated, the link between artificial additives and hyperactivity is generally supported by the newer studies.

In the October 18, 2009, issue of the "Prescrire International" the authors stated that artificial food colorings have a role in exacerbating hyperactive behavior in children.
In the April 24, 1988, issue of the "Australian Paediatric Journal," K.S. Rowe concluded that 72.7 percent of the children following the Feingold diet for six weeks demonstrated improved behavior and 47.3 percent remained improved up to six months after the diet was changed.

Considerations

Consult a medical professional before starting the Feingold diet. The program does not replace the conventional treatment for ADHD, but it can be a valuable tool to reduce symptoms of hyperactivity and other related conditions . Everyone can benefit from its concept because it promotes a healthy and additive-free diet.