Do Diet Restrictions Really Help Children With ADHD?

Do Diet Restrictions Really Help Children With ADHD?

Not all doctors, nutritionists, and parents agree when it comes to the topic of dietary restrictions as a
treatment for ADHD . According to the National Institute of Mental Health, a major study on what is
called the Feingold-type diet showed that certain dietary restrictions helped improve the symptoms of
ADHD, but never to the degree that the condition is cured. (Weathers, 2011) However, parents often
believe that it is worth the extra effort to see what effect dietary restrictions may have on their child.

The Feingold-type diet consists of eliminating common allergens such as wheat, eggs, dairy, tree nuts,
other nuts, nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes) and corn. These foods are removed from the child's diet
entirely and then gradually re-introduced. A careful record is kept to help determine which foods make
symptoms worse. This approach is practical and will reveal the dietary restrictions that may help for any
given child.

However, there are numerous other nutritional considerations that have
never been formally taken into account except by select few physicians who
have taken a public stance to inform parents of children with ADHD that the
real issue is what the children are NOT eating. The reality is that the standard
American diet (SAD) is grossly deficient in essential nutrients. There are many
foods that children should be eating, but these foods are not part of their
diets. If a food allergy is discovered and confirmed by a physician, only then
should foods be eliminated.

To begin making a real difference in your child's eating habits, do one simple thing: eliminate packaged,
processed foods, fast food and artificial colors. It is understood that this is a difficult task for parents
because kids can be very picky. Don't give up, experts have indicated that it can take multiple attempts,
as much as 10-12 times, to introduce a new food into your child's diet.

Next, add whole foods into your child's diet and include dietary supplements that can help. A
multivitamin is fine, but many on the market contain too little of each nutrient (100% of the RDA/RDI/kg
is based on standards set half a century ago). Find an all natural chewable multivitamin without artificial
colors or flavors. DHA, an important fatty acid commonly found in fish, is another important
supplement. It helps form healthy brain cells.

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Dr. Phil McGraw, commonly known as "Doctor Phil", takes one of the most reasonable approaches to an
ADD/ADHD diet by encouraging the use of whole foods in the diet after food allergies have been ruled
out. He and Dr. Lawlis, creator of the Hero's Diet Plan both agree with nutritionists
around the world that the most important issue to be addressed is the elimination of
packaged, processed, colored, dried or bottled food. These are the "junk foods" to be
eliminated from the diet of a child with ADHD and from the diet of the entire family to
set an example. It is simple... if it doesn't look like a vegetable, grain, fruit, legume,
fresh healthy meats (no nuggets of any kind), or root then get rid of it. It may or may
not be a cure, but a healthier life style will certainly help the whole family maintain the
energy and drive needed to manage the symptoms of ADHD.

Weathers, M. (2011). ADHD and Diet Reviewed. Retrieved February 22, 2012, from adhdhelp.org:
http://www.adhdhelp.org

About Author : Cathryn is a working mother of three. A self-professed health and fitness nut, Cathryn
loves to research and write about health and wellness related topics. For further inquiries on ADHD Diet
Tips you can visit http://www.cathrynharperpress.com/

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