Diets for helping children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder) include both nutritional changes and supplements. Research on the effectiveness of diet changes in helping alleviate the symptoms of ADHD is unclear. However, many parents and doctors report great success with these diets. Medications are also considered part of the ADHD diet. This can be traditional prescription medications and vitamin and mineral supplements as well as natural and homeopathic remedies.
Feeding the Brain
The author of "Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten," Dr. David Perlmutter, offers suggestions to support children with ADHD. Eating organic food decreases exposure to pesticides and other toxins. Fish with high-mercury content can have negative impact concentration and thinking skills. Avoid gluten products such as wheat, rye, and barley. Supplement children's diets with omega-3 fatty acids and multi-vitamins to support optimum brain functioning. Dr. Perlmutter also recommends specific nutrients that "protect the brain and enhance brain function" such as N-acetyl-cysteine, phosphatidylserine, alpha lipoic acid, coenzyme Q-10, and ginkgo biloba.
The Feingold Diet
In the 1960s, Dr. Feingold proposed that food additives may impact hyperactivity in children. His diet focuses on eliminating artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, artificial sweeteners and preservatives. Additionally, foods with naturally occurring salycilates are also excluded in Dr. Feingold's program. Salycilate is related to aspirin and believed to aggravate ADHD symptoms as well. There is a good deal of debate as to whether these additives are harmful or not. However, the American Association of Pediatrics currently recommends the elimination of preservatives and artificial coloring from the diet of children with ADHD. The Feingold program emphasizes that while food additives have been around for more that one hundred years, the amount of additives ingested by children today is exponentially higher than those in the early to mid 1900s.
Back to Basics
Doug Cowan, Psy.D., recommends a "back to basics" diet that encourages families to return to wholesome, homemade meals. The back to basics diet combines eliminating potentially harmful foods, reintroducing them after two weeks and monitoring their impact, and increasing foods that feed the brain. The foods to eliminate include dairy products, yellow foods, fruit juices, junk food, artificial sweeteners and colors, processed meats, and the reduction of sugar, chocolate and fried foods. Foods to increase are protein, fruits and vegetables, omega-3 oils and mineral supplements.
Create Your Own ADHD Diet
Rather than utilizing a preset program, families can create their own diet in conjunction with their doctor. This involves clear communication with the doctor treating the person with ADHD and keeping a diary of foods eaten and the behaviors noted afterward. Creating your own ADHD diet may include both the increasing of healthier foods and the decreasing of foods perceived as harmful.
