Dietary Influences

This page is one of the later ones added to this site, and not an easy one to create. Because opinions on dietary influences where ADD and ADHD are concerned range from those who feel that there is no difference no matter the diet, and those who will make extreme statements which cannot be validated.

I am not an extremist. I have strong beliefs on the benefits of good diet, and know that many people have reported a wide range of foods as having an effect on their child. The information I provide here must be used with caution! Use it at your own risk, and consult a medical professional if you have questions about safety.

If you do choose to change your child's diet, then do it one thing at a time if you want to narrow down causes. If you are making a change from processed foods to whole foods though, do it rapidly, and get rid of everything that would sabotage your efforts - it is hard enough to do that if you do not totally commit, it won't stick.

Some people feel that their children react better on a low sugar diet.

Certain chemical additives are thought to contribute to ADD/ADHD, including, but not limited to:

• Aspartame
  
• MSG
  
• Sodium Nitrite
  
• Some types of dyes
  
• Some common preservatives
  
• Some types of artificial flavors

Refined foods, which have the nutrients stripped out, and then overdoses of a few added back in, are also thought to affect brain function.

Caffeine is also typically an irritant to children with attention disturbances. Tea generally falls into the same category.

Chocolate may irritate some children.

Multi-vitamins (because they only have the same nutrients that are already added in high doses into refined foods, but still lack the micronutrients that have been removed), can also cause a wide range of problems both in the brain, and in the body.

Your child will have the best chance of improving their situation through eating a whole food diet, with foods that are processed as little as possible. That means whole grain breads, fresh fruits and vegetables, uncured meats, avoiding Koolaid and soda pop, avoiding both sugar and artificial sweeteners when possible, etc. It is a hard way to live, but it gives us the best possible chance of improving any medical condition through diet.

If you choose to use any dietary supplement, make sure it does not cause an overdose, and make sure that it is chemical free. Test it carefully, and watch for reactions, good or bad. Then be on the lookout for long term problems - many supplements will help at first if there was an existing deficit, but long term, excess will build up, and it will no longer be needed in the same dosage, and may in fact cause a problem if dosage is not significantly reduced.

Addictive substances should be avoided - not only do they have a cumulative affect on the brain, they also build addictive patterns into your child's behavior, making them potentially more prone to drug or alcohol addiction.

Be cautious and be wise - think things through logically before you try them, and then watch carefully.