When children become hyperactive, it can be difficult to integrate the children into everyday life without negative behavioral results. However, the Feingold Association suggests that an alteration in diet can greatly improve hyperactivity in children. By slightly altering your child's diet, you can help your child feel more in control of herself, and she can feel confident in any situation.
Processed Foods
The Harvard Medical School suggests that processed foods are often high in artificial ingredients, including high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated fats. These foods can sometimes cause sensitive children to react and become hyperactive. Avoid foods that are packaged and processed, such as snack cakes, processed cereals, chips, packaged cookies, crackers and packaged pre-made breads. Replace these processed items with home-baked alternatives. When you make homemade cookies, breads and cakes they are created with whole ingredients, like butter and flour, instead of artificial ingredients.
Allergenic Foods
Hyperactivity can sometimes mask an underlying allergic reaction to certain foods. This can make it difficult to properly diagnose a child who is displaying signs of hyperactivity. Eliminating known food allergens can help you better detect if your child actually has an allergy. Some of the most common allergenic foods include eggs, wheat, chocolate and shellfish.
Additives
Certain food additives can sometimes cause hyperactivity in children, according to Harvard Medical School. These food additives include nitrates and nitrites, artificial food coloring, artificial food preservatives and artificial flavorings. Avoid foods that contain artificial ingredients and preservatives, including colored candies, gummy treats and ice cream.
Considerations
Many people decide to eat only organic foods that are grown without the use of pesticides or herbicides. Some people who have sensitive personalities can demonstrate an improvement in behavior when switching to an all-organic diet. Although the connection between non-organic produce and meats and hyperactivity is not documented, you might consider organic foods to see if they improve your child's behavior.
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