Difficulty concentrating, impulsivity and hyperactivity are potential symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which is also known as ADHD. While it is of the most prevalent mental disorders affecting youth, ADHD also affects an approximated 4.1 percent of adults age 44 or younger in a given year, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. ADHD is treatable, typically through psychotherapy, behavioral changes and medications. A healthy diet, limited in particular foods, may support other treatments forms and your overall health.
Salty Snack Foods
Salty snack foods, such as potato chips, pretzels and nachos, provide calories, high levels of sodium and few nutritional benefits. While "junk" food has gained attention as a potential cause of ADHD symptoms, the condition may actually cause poor eating habits, according to Ari Tuckman, author of "Integrative Treatment for Adult ADHD: A Practical, Easy-To-Use Guide for Clinicians." If you have difficulty managing a healthy diet and other self-care measures, you may find yourself grabbing salty snack foods out of convenience and lack of planning. Try incorporating shopping trips into your weekly or bi-monthly routine and make a list in advance that emphasizes whole natural foods, such as whole grains, in place of packaged snack foods.
Fatty Meats
Fatty meats, such as red meat, processed meats and dark meat poultry, are rich in saturated fat -- a form of fat linked with diabetes, obesity and heart disease. Eating a meat-rich diet leaves less room for omega-3 fat sources, such as cold-water fish, which may help reduce ADHD symptoms. Fatty meats are also common in fast-food restaurant items. Do your best to replace fatty meats with salmon, tuna, herring, halibut or other heart-healthy protein sources, such as legumes and low-fat dairy products. If you enjoy red meat, choose the leanest cuts.
Sugary Sweets
Though sugar is not known to cause ADHD, consuming excess may offset your blood sugar and energy levels. In addition, food additives and artificial coloring in many sugary foods, such as custards, ice cream, sweetened beverages and candy, may trigger or exacerbate hyperactivity linked with ADHD. To avoid this risk, try swapping out sugary foods and beverages in your diet for naturally-sweet alternatives, such as fresh or frozen fruits, all-fruit frozen bars, apple sauce and whole grain, fruit-sweetened baked goods.
Enriched Flour
Enriched flour adds calories and bulk, but few nutritional benefits, to foods. Your digestive system rapidly converts refined grains into sugars, according to educational consultant and author of "The Splendid Grain" Rachel Wood. Enriched breads, pasta, cereals and baked goods may interfere with healthy blood sugar and energy levels and lead to lower nutrient and fiber intake if consumed in excess. When purchasing prepared foods, check ingredient lists on food packaging and avoid those that list enriched flour as a main ingredient. Healthy options include oatmeal, brown rice, wild rice and pearled barley.
References
- "Integrative Treatment for Adult ADHD: A Practical, Easy-To-Use Guide for Clinicians"; Ari Tuckman; 2007
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder -- Other Treatments
- Mayo Clinic: ADHD Diet: Do Food Additives Cause Hyperactivity?
- Be Nourished with Rebecca Wood: Healing With Food: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- National Institute of Mental Health: The Numbers Count: Mental Disorders in America
