According to New York State Office of Mental Health, nearly one child in every U.S. classroom suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Almost two million U.S. children have the disorder, which may follow them into their teen and adult years. Side effects include difficulty performing tasks, concentrating and staying focused. Though medications and therapy are often implemented, diet may play a role in treating ADHD. Still, some researchers and studies have not firmly supported the link between diet and ADHD.
Feingold Diet
A well known dietary approach to ADHD is the Feingold diet. Developed by Dr. Benjamin Feingold in the 1970s, this diet eliminates salicylates and food additives to avoid ADHD. Salicylates are chemicals commonly found in medications such as aspirin, but also in foods such as strawberries and tomatoes. The diet also recommends children with ADHD not consume foods with artificial coloring, dyes and additives. According to the University of Michigan Health System, the food coloring yellow tartrazine has been found to increase effects of ADHD in some children. The Feingold diet is complex and may be difficult to follow without proper training and supervision. The university suggests working with a registered dietician who thoroughly understands the Feingold diet or someone from a local Feingold Association. Some skeptics believe the diet does not work, but agree that eating natural and nutritional foods instead of foods high in additives is a healthier choice for children.
Calcium-rich Diet
Calcium may benefit children with ADHD symptoms. This mineral is beneficial to the nervous system, especially for impulse transmission. Besides milk, calcium is found in leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach and canned seafood. Fortified foods including calcium and vitamin D are orange juice, cereals, pasta and rice. Additional slices of cheese on a sandwich or as an after-school snack with crackers can increase your child's calcium intake.
Magnesium-rich Diet
Magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system and helps control muscle and nerve function. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, some researchers believe children with ADHD are showing symptoms of magnesium deficiency. Signs and symptoms of the deficiency include irritability, decreased attention span and mental confusion, reports UMMC. The center reports a study of 75 ADHD children with low magnesium levels who had a decrease in ADHD symptoms when increasing magnesium through supplements. Foods with high amounts of magnesium include spinach, nuts and whole grains. Hard water generally has higher amounts of magnesium than soft water, reports the Office of Dietary Supplements. Children between the ages of 4 and 8 should receive 130 mg of magnesium daily. Those between 9 and 13 should aim for 240 mg, while teenagers need 410 mg daily.
References
- New York State Office of Mental Health: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- University of Michigan Health System: Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Magnesium
- University of Virginia: Curry School of Education: Effects of Sugar and Diet on Children's Behavior
- UMMC: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
