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What Foods Affect a Kid's Behavior?

Parents are the first to notice how their children respond to certain foods. Candy, for instance, may send a child into wild hyperactivity. In the mid-1970s, Benjamin Feingold, a California allergist, discovered that certain food additives seemed to cause reactions in his young patients, and he observed improvements when the kids were placed on special diets. Subsequent studies examined foods and additives that may cause behavioral problems in children.

  1. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

    • Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHA) is "the most commonly diagnosed behavioral problem in children in the U.S.," reports David Schardt in Nutrition Action Healthletter, a health and nutrition newsletter. As many as 3 to 5 percent of children in the United States experience inattentiveness, difficulty concentrating, impulsiveness, distractability and hyperactivity -- all ADHD symptoms. ADHD has been linked to certain foods and food additives.

    Foods to Avoid

    • Sugar is present in breakfast cereal, candy, ice cream and nearly all the foods that kids like best. Sugar winds kids up, then leaves them tired and cranky. Additives such as artificial colors and flavors are difficult to avoid and are present in many foods. Additives have been held responsible for learning disabilities and hyperactive behavior in children. Processed food such as bacon and hot dogs contain sodium nitrate that may contribute to hyperactivity. Another preservative, sodium benzoate, is found in soft drinks and fruit juices and may cause children to be more easily distracted. Sodas and caffeinated drinks can cause a child to be irritable, while junk food like potato chips and pizza are high in calories with little nutritional value. Some children with ADHD may be sensitive to milk, eggs, wheat, corn and legumes.

    Food Intolerance and Allergies

    • Children and adults experiencing gastrointestinal or respiratory problems, neurological symptoms or skin problems may be suffering from a food intolerance or allergy. Common food intolerances are lactose; fructose; yeast; and gluten, including wheat. Certain naturally occurring food chemicals, such as salicylates, can create intolerance and affect children's behavior, causing irritability and restlessness. Foods high in salicylates include tomatoes, olives, berries, dried fruits, oranges, apricots, plums, honey and chewing gum. Amine, found in bananas and cheese, is another chemical that can lead to intolerance. Food allergies are the response of the body's immune system to certain foods. They can become dangerous, as in the case of nut allergies.

    Elimination Diet

    • Under the guidance of a physician or dietician, a child can get on an elimination diet featuring foods low in chemicals and additives. The diet lasts for up to six weeks. If the symptoms disappear for a week, then the foods can be introduced one by one to see which ones cause a reaction.

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