Many parents believe sugar is responsible for turning their children into little Tasmanian devils. Registered dietitian Karen Ansel says that is a myth that sprang from one 1970s study based on one child; subsequent studies have failed to prove a link between sugar and hyperactivity. Dietary changes might improve the behavior of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, but it's not as simple as just removing sugar.
Healthy Foods
A child's diet does not cause ADHD, but what a child with ADHD eats can have an effect on behavior, according to the website Helpguide. And a healthy diet is good for all children. Give your child fresh foods instead of processed foods and junk foods. Stock your refrigerator with fruits, vegetables, cheeses, yogurt, pudding, milk, eggs, fish and chicken. Switch to whole-grain bread, rice, cereal and pasta, and offer healthy snacks such as graham crackers, pretzels, vanilla wafers, baked potato chips and unbuttered popcorn, instead of fried potato chips and boxed cookies. But make eating healthy fun. For example, instead of buying a box of Popsicles, freeze 100 percent juice in ice cube trays, and use a plastic spoon for the handle.
Regular Mealtimes
Just as important as what your child eats is when he eats. Kids with ADHD do better when they stay on a schedule. Mealtimes should happen at the same time and at the same place each day. Kids with ADHD might forget to eat and then gobble up whatever they can find, which can worsen their behavioral problems. A child with ADHD benefits physically and mentally from eating regularly scheduled meals and snacks that are three hours apart, according to Helpguide.
Food Additives
Some food additives are worse than others in increasing hyperactive behavior, according to the Mayo Clinic website. The worst offenders are sodium benzoate, FD&C Yellow No. 6, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Yellow No. 5 and FD&C Red No. 40. The worst of the bunch is FD&C Yellow No. 5, which is present in certain drinks, candy, custard and ice cream. You can determine whether a food contains FD&C No. 5 by reading the label on the food package. In general, if a processed food is a bright color, it probably contains a color additive.
Restrictive Diet
A February 2011 study published in "The Lancet" indicated that children with ADHD might benefit from a restricted diet. This study tested children between the ages of 4 and 8, putting them on a restrictive diet of rice, vegetables, meat, pears and water. After five weeks, 78 percent of the children on the diet showed a reduction in ADHD symptoms. When certain other foods were reintroduced, symptoms returned. If you want to try a restrictive diet with your child, be consistent with it and only introduce it under the direction of your doctor or dietitian so you can be sure your child continues to get all the necessary nutrients.
References
- "The Lancet"; Effects of a Restricted Elimination Diet ... ; Lidy M Pelsser, et al.; February 2011
- Helpguide; ADD/ADHD Parenting Tips; January 2011
- Mayo Clinic; Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children; John E. Huxsahl; November 2009
- Drugs; Restrictive Diet May Reduce ADHD Symptoms; February 2011
- Kids Eat Right; Sugar: Does it Really Cause Hyperactivity?; Karen Ansel
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