Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) results in the reduced ability to concentrate. Children and adults who suffer from the condition may also exhibit unnaturally high activity levels, destructive behaviors and emotional issues, including low self-esteem. In addition to traditional medications and counseling, ADHD patients may find some relief in dietary modifications.
Goal
The goal of following a behavior modification diet for ADHD is to reduce the severity of the patient’s symptoms, allowing him to function normally in his daily life. While no guarantee exists that the ADHD diet, alone, will successfully treat the condition, for individuals who experience a food sensitivity, it may improve their quality of life by removing the foods that can trigger reactions.
Eliminate Additives
A behavior diet for ADHD focuses on eliminating potentially dangerous chemical additives and preservatives from the diet. Common food additives suspected of causing a reaction in some individuals include monosodium glutamate (MSG), corn syrup, corn sugar, high fructose syrup, sodium nitrate and calcium propionate. In addition, eliminate artificial dyes, artificial flavorings, artificial sweeteners, BHT and BHA, benzoic acid when trying to rid the diet of potential triggers.
Eliminate Trigger Foods
The Feingold Diet, founded by Dr. Ben Feingold, an allergist and a pediatrician, and founder of the Feingold Diet for ADHD, advocates eliminating potential “trigger” foods from the patient’s diet. The list of banned foods includes grapes and raisins, oranges, peaches, almonds apricots, coffee, cloves, tea, tomatoes, plums and prunes, bell peppers and cucumbers.
Food Choices
It pays to keep in mind that not everyone responds the same way to every food. What may help one ADHD patient, may not affect another. The Feingold Diet encourages the patient to eat bananas, cantaloupe and watermelon, along with other fruits. Allowable vegetables include peas, potatoes, spinach, lettuce, onions celery and carrots, in addition to most other vegetables.
Monitoring
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) recommends keeping a food diary to track the patient’s behavior and comparing it to the foods he consumes. Parents may also keep a behavior score sheet that notes when the child exhibits distraction, lack of attention, forgetfulness, restlessness or fidgety behavior to help the parent pinpoint a connection between a specific food and ADHD symptoms.
