While fresh, whole, nutritious and organic foods are a healthy option for everyone, they are even more vital as part of a diet for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Kids with ADHD are extremely sensitive to any substance that goes into their bodies, and certain foods can be loaded with excess sugars, preservatives and other additives that can worsen their condition.
Meal Basics
Children with ADHD benefit from meals high in natural, vitamin-rich foods and low in processed and sugary substances. Certified organic foods lack the chemical pesticides, fertilizers and other substances that can affect a sensitive child's system. Meals prepared with healthy cooking methods that limit fat and oils, such as grilling, broiling, steaming and baking, keep additives low. Including fruits, vegetables and whole grains increases the vitamin, mineral and healthy carbohydrate contents. Omega-3 fatty acids, found in foods like fish and flaxseed, are another healthy addition to your child's diet, according to ADHD Child Parenting and the Mayo Clinic website.
Meal Ideas
A meal of chicken fingers or mini-pizzas might be more appealing to a kid than poached salmon and broccoli, but you can create healthy versions of your kids' favorite foods. Rather than frying strips of chicken coated with breadcrumbs to make chicken fingers, for example, coat the chicken with a high-fiber cereal and egg substitute then bake it in the oven. A mini-pizza turns into a mini-healthy meal with a crust made from a whole wheat Pita topped with ground turkey, vegetables and low-fat mozzarella cheese. Low-fat and diet cookbooks offer a variety of healthy recipes. Substituting healthier ingredients for less healthy ones also works to make healthier versions of your kids' favorite meals.
Additives
Paying attention to food additives, many of which producers list on the nutritional labels, is a must for keeping additives at bay. While Mayo Clinic.com notes no scientific evidence proves additives cause ADHD, they can exacerbate hyperactivity. Culprits include certain preservatives and food colorings, particularly yellows and red. A specific list of potentially detrimental additives includes sodium benzoate; sunset yellow, or FD&C Yellow No. 6; tartrazine, or Yellow No. 5; quinoline yellow, or Yellow No. 10; and allura red, Red No. 40. Not all food colorings appear on the labels, but it's a safe bet that most brightly-colored, processed foods contain them.
Considerations
Other healthy ADHD meal tips from ADHD Child Parenting include ensuring your child drinks plenty of water and steers clear of sodas, iced tea, carbonated beverages and fruit juices. Avoid junk food and desserts, both of which contain high glucose contents that can increase blood sugar level and hyperactivity. ADHD Child Parenting also advises cutting out between-meal snacks.
Member Comments