Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, affects between 3 and 5 percent of school-age children, most of them boys. The disorder can last into adulthood and presents symptoms such as extreme inattentiveness, impulsivity and restlessness. Medication and therapy are often prescribed, and a high-protein diet may help as well.
Carbohydrates and ADHD
Kids need some carbohydrates in their diet to give them energy. However, eating too many simple carbohydrates like candy, white bread, and foods and beverages sweetened with sugar can cause your child's blood sugar to spike and then plummet. This fluctuation can cause him to be moody, irritable, restless and fidgety. Simple carbohydrates are burned off quickly as energy, leaving your child hungry soon after he's eaten. Hunger can also cause kids to be irritable, inattentive and restless. When this occurs in a child who already has trouble with moods and energy thanks to ADHD, it can cause his symptoms to appear worse than usual.
What Protein Does
Protein slows down how long it takes food to get from the stomach to the small intestine, so you feel full longer. Adding more protein to your child's diet can help reduce some of the hunger-induced mood swings a child with ADHD might have. Protein also helps slow down how quickly your body processes carbohydrates so your child can avoid a spike in blood sugar.
Adding More Protein
All children need to eat a balanced diet to ensure they get all the nutrients their bodies need. If you think a diet higher in protein might help your child with ADHD, talk to his doctor. If he thinks a high protein diet might help, adding protein to your child's plate is easy. Offer foods such as meat, poultry, peanut butter, cheese and eggs with meals. Replace high-carbohydrate snacks such as cookies and crackers with cheese cubes or a peanut butter sandwich made on whole-wheat bread. Eating protein throughout the day will help keep your child's blood sugar stable.
Beyond the Diet
In addition to offering more protein, try behavioral strategies to help control your child's ADHD. Create a schedule for her daily activities and stick to it as much as possible. Allow her plenty of opportunities to be active and burn off energy. Be sure that your rules and consequences are fair and consistent. When she's doing homework or chores, minimize distractions such as television so that she can focus on her tasks. Reward positive behavior and offer praise when she completes a task. Alter her environment where possible; for example, allow her to stand to do her homework rather than forcing her to try and sit still. With a healthy diet and good behavioral strategies, your child will be better equipped to manage her ADHD.
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