Yeast-Free Diets for Children

There are a number of legitimate reasons to eliminate yeast -- and yeast feeding foods -- from a child's diet. Yeast overgrowth, or Candida as its commonly referred to, has been associated with a number of prominent behavioral issues such as Attention Deficit Disorder, autism, hyperactivity and more. The objective to following a yeast-free diet is obviously to establish and maintain quality health -- but undesirable behavioral patterns are usually the foremost motivating factors.

Yeast Overgrowth

• William G. Crook, a pediatric physician, has composed literature regarding his studies on hyperactivity in children. He firmly believes that an overgrowth of yeast in the body is responsible for a medley of health and behavioral related issues among children today. He is certain that following a diet free of yeast could drastically decrease the need for Ritalin -- the drug primarily prescribed for children today with any behavioral symptoms. Dr. Crook does confess, however, that there are times when diet management is not enough to support the more serious of conditions. But in conjunction with a necessary prescription, nutritional awareness can work wonders.

Things to Avoid

• Sugar is the number one culprit of yeast overgrowth in the body.

  Simple carbohydrates encourage yeast growth in the body. One method used in reducing undesirable symptoms is to abstain from all yeast containing and promoting foods -- entirely. This includes all dairy products, eggs, any foods containing gluten such as wheat and wheat-based foods like pastas, barley or rye. All citrus is to be avoided, as is corn and corn products and fermented foods -- like vinegars and most condiments. Moldy foods are huge proponents of yeast and include a whole range of substances like cured bacon, mushrooms, pickled or smoked meats, peanuts and various soy products. Then there's the most obvious culprit: sugar. Above all else, sugar must be strictly excluded from the diet, which includes no processed sugars, no dried fruits, no juices or soft drinks.

Seeking the Cause

• Sugar causes hyperactivity and regular consumption of the substance exceedingly diminishes optimal functioning of the immune system. If following a yeast-free diet feels too challenging, there's another approach involving the process of elimination. Doing this diet can help determine which foods are actually causing symptoms, rather than always avoiding foods that might not even be of issue. The elimination diet was specifically designed to find specific food allergies and sensitivities.

Following the Rules

• Determining the problematic foods becomes less challenging when keeping a food journal.

  Essentially, the elimination diet requires removing a few suspected yeast promoting foods for seven to 10 days. Keep a watchful eye noting any, and which, symptoms may subside in the absence of certain foods. Keep a record of food intake, as accurately as possible. Then, following the allotted time, and ever so slowly, reintroduce specific foods back into the diet -- one at a time, waiting a few days in between before reintroducing the next, so that you can adequately evaluate any symptoms.

Creating Optimal Health

• Kids enjoy the healing benefits of eating whole foods.

  Any undertaking to revamp your child's diet should be pursued under the guidance of a trained professional or a physician. Following a yeast-free regime might seem unreasonably restrictive, but it brings the body back to a place of optimum physical and mental health with its ingestion of whole, natural and unprocessed foods.