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Diet for an ADHD Child

ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is the most prevalent childhood disorder. Children with ADHD have difficulty controlling their activity and behavior. They often feel different than their peers. Medication and behavior therapy are used to help control ADHD symptoms. Many doctors and parents use dietary changes in conjunction with standard treatments to help alleviate ADHD symptoms.

  1. ADHD

    • ADHD affects approximately 18 percent of the childhood population. It is characterized by the inability to concentrate, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Some ADHD children exhibit symptoms associated with conduct disorder and/or oppositional defiant disorder (See Reference 2).

    Artificial Additives

    • Food and ADHD have been linked together for many years. To date, there are no scientific studies that support the use of radical diets for children with the disorder. Radical diets are those that ban all forms of processed foods as well as a number of fruits and vegetables. (See Reference 1)

      There is evidence to support claims that artificial additives and colors increase hyperactivity in children. As reported in the June 2009 issue of the Harvard Mental Health Letter, researchers in England found some evidence that additives increase hyperactive behavior in children. Study participants were 153 preschool children (3 years old) and 144 elementary children (8 to 9 years old). The participants were not diagnosed with ADHD. The researchers found that adding artificial colors increased the hyperactivity levels in all of the children. Another study conducted by researchers at Columbia and Harvard universities found removing food coloring from the diet of ADHD children is one-third to one-half as effective as the prescription medication Ritalin. The researchers in all the studies caution that not all ADHD children are equally sensitive to additives. (See Reference 1)

      Figuring out if your ADHD child is sensitive to additives and artificial colors takes time and patience. Begin by removing the primary sources of the suspected offenders from the child's diet. Junk food, candy, fruit drinks, soda, and colored cereals all contain artificial colors and additives. Keep a journal in which you list the foods banned and your child's behavior. If the child's behavior improves after several weeks, he may be susceptible to artificial ingredients. Researchers caution there is also a possibility that sugar is the main offending culprit and not the additives. (See Reference 1)

    A Healthy Diet

    • Authors of the Harvard Mental Health Letter recommend a balanced diet containing fruits and vegetables, unsaturated fats, protein, and whole grains. Limit foods that contain high amounts of sugar, artificial colors and additives, and simple carbohydrates. Avoid or limit the consumption of fast food. Following these guidelines may or may not improve the symptoms of ADHD. They will however, improve the overall health and well being of the child. (See Reference 1)

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