Diet and ADHD – Can Diet Modification Improve ADHD Symptoms?
There are few subjects that stir up more controversy than that of ADHD and diet. Some experts believe that diet modifications has little impact on ADHD symptoms and that those who implement this strategy are only mudding the water in determining the proper conventional treatment or treatments; stimulant medications, behavior therapy, and psychotherapy.
These same experts want to make sure we know that ADHD is not caused by dietary missteps and question why we would want to treat the symptoms rather than the cause anyway.
But for those of us who believe in an approach to wellness slanted more towards natural health this statement is akin to saying that a person dozing off behind the wheel should pop a few pills to stay awake rather than making sure they get enough sleep.
Despite the skepticism when you get right down to it many parent of ADHD children have observed dramatic behavioral improvements when certain foods are either reduced or eliminated.
While not every parent who tries diet modification to address problematic ADHD symptoms such as inattention, lack of focus, memory problems, erratic behavior, and hyperactivity will. And since all it takes is a little time and planning there is little downside in finding out for yourself whether diet just might be the missing link in your ADHD treatment plan.
The core philosophy of managing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with diet is what is good for the brain is also good for ADHD.
At the heart of this strategy is a high protein, low carbohydrate diet to improve concentration and focus. Foods such as beans, cheese, eggs, meat, and nuts are foods often mentioned as beneficial. The benefits can be enhanced if high protein foods are consumed during the morning and afternoon helping maintain focus and concentration throughout the day.
Reducing sugar and fast burning carbohydrates are two more of the cornerstones of which a successful ADHD management diet is built and recent brain scan studies seemed to support this idea.
Eating too much sugar produces sugar highs and lows that can lead to erratic behavior, mood swings, hyperactivity, sleep problems, restlessness, and even depression. A good rule of thumb is to reduce the consumption of white rice, white flour, candy, honey, corn syrup, fruits with high sugar content, and starchy vegetables such as Irish/Idaho potatoes and yams.
What other diet modifications could help my child's ADHD symptoms?
There are no shortage of ideas as to what else might help but generally speaking soft drinks (especially colas) should be avoided, foods and beverages high in caffeine, foods and beverages with high sugar content, MSG or artificial preservatives, and artificial food colorings such as tartrazine, Red #40, and Yellow #5.
Additionally eating adequate amounts of foods high in omega 3 fatty acids such as tuna, salmon, and olive oil along with daily nutritional supplementation to offset deficiencies caused by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are also suggested.
In conclusion, I'm sure by now your head is spinning trying to digest all of the diet modifications ideas thought to improve ADHD symptoms. It is fair to say that most parents will want to take it slowly making allowances for the occasional treat and perhaps giving their ADHD child the leeway to enjoy that oh so tempting, and likely quite tasty, birthday cake. But in the end it a delicate balancing act, that if implemented correctly and consistently, should help reduce some of the most problematic ADHD symptoms resulting in a better quality of life for both you and your child.
These same experts want to make sure we know that ADHD is not caused by dietary missteps and question why we would want to treat the symptoms rather than the cause anyway.
But for those of us who believe in an approach to wellness slanted more towards natural health this statement is akin to saying that a person dozing off behind the wheel should pop a few pills to stay awake rather than making sure they get enough sleep.
Despite the skepticism when you get right down to it many parent of ADHD children have observed dramatic behavioral improvements when certain foods are either reduced or eliminated.
While not every parent who tries diet modification to address problematic ADHD symptoms such as inattention, lack of focus, memory problems, erratic behavior, and hyperactivity will. And since all it takes is a little time and planning there is little downside in finding out for yourself whether diet just might be the missing link in your ADHD treatment plan.
The core philosophy of managing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder with diet is what is good for the brain is also good for ADHD.
At the heart of this strategy is a high protein, low carbohydrate diet to improve concentration and focus. Foods such as beans, cheese, eggs, meat, and nuts are foods often mentioned as beneficial. The benefits can be enhanced if high protein foods are consumed during the morning and afternoon helping maintain focus and concentration throughout the day.
Reducing sugar and fast burning carbohydrates are two more of the cornerstones of which a successful ADHD management diet is built and recent brain scan studies seemed to support this idea.
Eating too much sugar produces sugar highs and lows that can lead to erratic behavior, mood swings, hyperactivity, sleep problems, restlessness, and even depression. A good rule of thumb is to reduce the consumption of white rice, white flour, candy, honey, corn syrup, fruits with high sugar content, and starchy vegetables such as Irish/Idaho potatoes and yams.
What other diet modifications could help my child's ADHD symptoms?
There are no shortage of ideas as to what else might help but generally speaking soft drinks (especially colas) should be avoided, foods and beverages high in caffeine, foods and beverages with high sugar content, MSG or artificial preservatives, and artificial food colorings such as tartrazine, Red #40, and Yellow #5.
Additionally eating adequate amounts of foods high in omega 3 fatty acids such as tuna, salmon, and olive oil along with daily nutritional supplementation to offset deficiencies caused by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are also suggested.
In conclusion, I'm sure by now your head is spinning trying to digest all of the diet modifications ideas thought to improve ADHD symptoms. It is fair to say that most parents will want to take it slowly making allowances for the occasional treat and perhaps giving their ADHD child the leeway to enjoy that oh so tempting, and likely quite tasty, birthday cake. But in the end it a delicate balancing act, that if implemented correctly and consistently, should help reduce some of the most problematic ADHD symptoms resulting in a better quality of life for both you and your child.