Diet for ADHD Child

The incidence of ADHD symptoms and diet for ADHD children varies from country to country depending on the criteria used for diagnosis (S.A. uses DSM V). ADHD is believed to affect 10 % of the world population and is found in every ethnic and socio-economic group.

From this post, you will be able to know: What diet is good for ADHD? and What foods should be avoided with ADHD?

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Before starting an effective diet plan for an ADHD child, a few essential points need to apply:

A FEW EFFECTIVE POINTERS:

• We avoid forcing the plan on the child – we try and get their cooperation.
• The whole family should be involved. Don’t expect the child to cooperate if he has to watch the rest of the family eat foods he is not allowed to.
• First, you should identify the symptoms and causes of ADHD child.
• You need to know the management of ADHD children.
• Read labels or join a Support Group organization that investigates artificial ingredients, like Feingold U.S.A.
• Breakfast is vital: 1 protein plus a complex carbohydrate = 3 hours of the child’s best concentration. A lesser breakfast might only help for one hour!
• ADD/H children need regular snacks every 2-3 hours to help maintain concentration, e.g., Peanut butter/tuna sandwich, homemade plain white popcorn, plain biltong, nuts, or cheese.
• 5-6 pm is usually the most challenging hour in South Africa. A snack usually calms the child! Make sure it is small enough not to spoil dinner!
• SUGAR: These children are usually better off if they don’t eat sugar, but this is difficult to implement (we know sugar does not cause ADHD, but it could make confident children more difficult). We, therefore, limit the amount of sugar intake. Never give a sweet or sugary biscuit on an empty tummy.
• For dieting ADHD children, if the child suffers from allergies, consult an allergy specialist, as this can influence behavior and concentration. After diagnosing a child with  ADHD, you should take simple but effective steps.

WILL DIETARY INTERVENTION MAKE MY CHILD FEEL DEPRIVED?

Any child will feel deprived if told he cannot have any treats unless some alternative is made available. That is precisely what the ADD/Hyperactivity Support Group of Southern Africa can assist our members with.

We do food research in South Africa and are constantly investigating products. In addition, through our membership and regular newsletters, we can keep members updated.

WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE TUCK SHOP AT YOUR SCHOOL?

• As a parent, are you aware of what is being sold during break time?
• Do you know Drug-free child ADHD treatment?
• Are you aware of the influence of artificial ingredients on your child’s concentration and behavior?
• Have you approached your headmaster to implement changes in the tuck shop? Is he aware of how the teachers struggle after break time?

If you answered NO to the above questions, maybe it is time that you change your answer to YES by becoming involved in changing tuck shops at schools. We would like to see tuck shops sell healthy food and fruit juices that will benefit all children, not to mention the contribution it would have on academic performance.

 Essential fatty acids and the Elimination of Diet for ADHD Child

Allergies to cereals and cow’s milk are often shared among these children. In addition, for many years, pediatricians and pediatric allergists have reported a higher incidence of allergies among children with Hyperactivity. It has also been estimated that up to 10 % of primary school children in S.A. suffer from allergic reactions that exhibit classroom behavior and concentration problems.

Factors linked to Hyperactivity:

Various factors have been linked to diet for ADHD children. These include genetic factors (well-known), smoking during pregnancy, artificial additives in food, and environmental pollutants. Some hyper children may not be sensitive to sugar, although we know that “too much” CANNOT cause ADHD, nor can artificial ingredients CAUSE ADHD.

It merely makes the condition worse for ADHD children (many case studies are available, as well as double-masked studies). Here you need to have explicit knowledge about the sign and symptoms of ADHD children.

Influences of carbohydrates on a diet for ADHD child:

A diet for ADHD children consisting of refined carbohydrates influences the level of essential fatty acids (EFAs). Another possibility is that certain sugars (glucose) affect brain neurotransmitter and activity levels in hyperactive children (merely adding to their problem!).

You know that neurotransmitters are chemical substances released from the nerve fiber that affect the transfer of an impulse to another nerve or muscle. We know, scientifically, that neurotransmitters require EFAs for optimal functioning (chemical meds like Ritalin cannot supply them).

Substantial research evidence of Hyperactivity:

Recent studies on artificial sweeteners suggest that some hyperactive children become more aggressive when given large doses of aspartame (we avoid this with our children in S.A). The research concludes that hyperactive children have a deficiency of EFAs either due to an inability to absorb EFAs adequately from the gastrointestinal tract or because their EFA requirements are higher than that of other children.

A deficiency of EFA in animals causes a constant thirst, one of the symptoms of numerous hyperactive children, including sweaty hands and “head sweats” at night. Preliminary studies on the effects of supplementation with EFAs in Canada, the USA, the United Kingdom, and South Africa have reported degrees of improvement.

Essential fatty acids are converted into the body by the enzyme delta-6-desaturase to gamma linoleic acid, which is then further converted to other substances. The enzyme is effective for conversion but does not work efficiently in hyperactive children and adults. However, an adult can effectively manage their ADHD.

Two-thirds of hyperactive children studied were deficient in zinc, magnesium, and vitamin B6, which block the conversion process of EFAs.

Diet for ADHD child depends on vitamins B-group:

The vitamin B group is crucial for the hyperactive child, which functions mainly in the central nervous system. Vitamin B1 and thiamin are involved in maintaining the central nervous system.

Insufficiency of Vitamin B2, riboflavin, may affect the central nervous system symptoms such as:

• headache
• Irritability and
• Fatigue

Vitamins B6 and C are also concerned with the regulation of neurotransmitter synthesis.

Diet for ADHD child depends on vitamins Calcium:

Calcium works for biochemical reactions in the body and takes part in the cohort of nerve impulses from the nervous system.

Magnesium is required for the development and restores of body cells also helps the diffusion of nerve impulses to the muscles and acts mutually with calcium. Vitamin D aids the absorption and utilization of calcium and magnesium.

Diet for ADHD child depends on vitamins Zinc, chromium, and vanadium:

Zinc, chromium, and vanadium play a role in sugar balance by enhancing insulin’s action in promoting glucose uptake.

A glucose tolerance aspect has been recognized as an ordinary form of chromium that plays a vital role in the function of insulin. Supplementation and chromium work together to reduce glucose levels and progress glucose tolerance.

Since abnormal glucose tolerance levels have been seen in some hyperactive children, supplementing with chromium, vanadium, and zinc may help.

Feingold Diet for ADHD child:

Many ADD/ADHD children improve when put onto the Feingold Diet. It is impossible to predict how a child will benefit and in which areas improvement will occur, but they are often evident in improved concentration, general health, and social interaction.

Sometimes the change is dramatic, and sometimes it can hardly be noticed – this depends upon the child and his unique make-up, but it also depends upon the diet being followed one hundred percent! If the child is in a state of reaction to just one substance, this could mask any improvement that might otherwise be seen.

 Remember that a dietary infraction could affect behavior, concentration, sleep, etc., for the next 72 hours!

List of artificial foods  which need to avoid:

We avoid all artificial colorants, flavorings, and antioxidant preservatives, e.g., EDTA, BHA, TBHQ, calcium propionate, benzoic acid, benzoates, sulfur dioxide, sulfates, and sulfates MSG.

• bought cakes,
• pies,
• hamburger patties,
• fish fingers,
• packet soups and sauces,
• processed meats and polonaise,
• cordials,
• fruit squashes and fizzy drinks usually contain the above artificial ingredients.

Reactions to certain natural foods are examined once the above additives have been eliminated.

List of natural foods  which need to avoid:

We AVOID natural fruits and vegetables with high salicylate content, e.g., apples (but golden delicious are fine – low salicylate content).

• apricots,
• berries,
• grapes,
• raisins,
• oranges,
• peaches,
• plums,
• cucumber,
• tomatoes and many more.

AVOIDANCE OF THESE NATURAL FOODS IS FOR A SHORT TIME ONLY.

Once the child has shown reasonable improvement and seems to have settled down. These natural foods must be reintroduced one at a time to the regular diet.

Any reaction to a particular food (e.g., deterioration in behavior, concentration, or health) could indicate that the child is sensitive to it and that specific food should be avoided until retested later.

This includes any products containing that food as one of the ingredients. We try to ensure that the child eats as wide a range of natural foods as possible. All in all diet for ADHD children depends on their food supplements and also medicine and psychotherapy which cover the total effective results for ADHD children.

Last update on 2024-11-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API