Children truly might be a reflection of what they eat because their behavior, both positive and negative, is linked to their dietary choices. The Bamford-Lahey Children's Foundation states that even in 1922 a link between certain foods and behavior was evident in children. Although a natural part of growing up, some of that fatigue, anger outburst and hyperactivity might be related to the child's diet.
Preservatives
Preservatives are used in foods to prevent early spoilage and increase shelf-life, but these chemicals provide no nutritional value and might lead to behavioral issues in children, according to the Children's Disability Information. The Feingold Program lists the top three synthetic chemicals as BHA, BHT and TBHQ. Made from crude oil, or petroleum, these toxins might be the underpinning of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD.
Coloring
Walk down any grocer's aisle and pay attention to the products marketed for children: sparkling red toothpaste, colored cereals, orange-flavored medicines and purple vitamins. All of these products have one commonality, which is the inclusion of food dyes or colorings. The Feingold Program suggests that food dyes are consumed in large amounts daily by the average American child and might be causing allergic food reactions leading to irritability, distractibility and learning disorders.
Sugar
Simple sugars have taken the heat for hyperactivity in children, but they might not be directly responsible. Sugars are hidden in foods under the names sucrose, lactose, fructose, glucose and corn syrup. While science has not established a firm link between consuming too much sugar and learning disorders, many products containing these refined sugars also contain food colorings and additives that have been proven to cause behavior disruption in children.
Dairy Protein
Protein is a necessary substance -- the building block of all tissues in the body -- but Children's Disabilities Information suggests that certain proteins might adversely affect children's memory and learning abilities. Dairy proteins, found in milk, yogurt and cheese, can induce an autoimmune response in some children's intestinal tract and disrupt the digestion of these proteins. This is more typical in children with autism and celiac disease, and the exclusion of some grain proteins, like gluten, and dairy proteins might improve a child's learning and retention skills.
References
- Children's Disabilities Information: Diet and Its Possible Role in Developmental Disorders
- Feingold Association of the United States: Many Learning and Behavior Problems Begin in Your Grocery Cart
- Children's Disabilities Information: Developmental Disorders and Sugar
- Children's Disabilities Information: Developmental Disorders and Dairy Products, Grains, Gluten and Other Proteins
