According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects the biologically active substances in the brain. This hinders a child's ability to plan or organize, control his impulses, solve problems or understand what others are doing. According to the experts at Natural ADHD Cure, there may be a correlation between your child's diet and his disorder. Reducing or eliminating certain chemicals from his diet may prove to be all the treatment he needs.
Food Additives
Orange chips, cake with blue frosting and multi-colored crackers are all the rage with most kids. However, these foods all have one thing in common, and that is food dyes. According to the experts at Natural ADHD Cure, there is a direct link between food additive dyes and negative behavioral and neurological reactions in children. Reducing or eliminating them may make a noticeable difference in your child's behavior.
Sugar
This may be one of the largest pitfalls for an ADHD child. It doesn't matter if the sugar is wrapped around a whole-wheat cereal or takes the more obvious form of a chocolate bar; it's still sugar. This increases your child's hyperactivity by decreasing the amount of vitamins and minerals in her body while preventing her blood sugar levels from becoming stable. Prepackaged meals, foods made with refined sugar such as white bread and cookies and the all-too convenient breakfast cereal bars are all home to this ADHD foe.
Hydrogenated Fats
According to AskDr.Sears.com, foods containing hydrogenated fats hinder brain function in more ways than one. When they enter your child's nervous system through his cells, they interfere with the nerve function that helps control the symptoms of ADHD. They also turn unsaturated fats into saturated fats, which could ultimately clog your child's blood vessels, blocking blood flow to his brain. To eliminate hydrogenated fats, simply read food labels; if you see the words "hydrogenated," or "partially hydrogenated," do not give it to your child.
Caffeine
According to Marcia Zimmerman, author of "The ADD Solution: A 30 Day Drug Free Plan," caffeine may rob your child of the minerals she needs, resulting in an imbalance of her body's normal pH. Aside from the obvious items, such as caffeinated beverages, any food containing chocolate should be reduced or eliminated.
