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Foods to Avoid in Kids With ADHD

The most common mental health disorder among children, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frustrates many parents, leading them to look beyond medication to heal their child. One approach for some parents includes dietary changes.

  1. Statistics

    • As of 2006, 4.5 million children between 5 and 7 years old were diagnosed with ADHD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

    Types

    • Symptoms of ADHD range from focus problems to hyperactivity. The National Institute of Mental Health divides ADHD into three types: predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, predominantly inattentive and combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive.

    Food Additives

    • Avoid foods with artificial colors and preservatives such as benzoate preservative. Donna McCann, Ph.D., along with other researchers at University of Southampton, confirmed a possible link between food additives and hyperactivity in children.

    Sugar

    • Sugar, according to the CSPNET, might affect some sugar-sensitive kids with ADHD, influencing hyperactivity. Although there's no strong link between sugar and ADHD, sugary foods still should be avoided.

    Salicylate

    • The Feingold Program suggests that kids with ADHD avoid foods with salicylate, a group of chemicals related to the pain-relieving drug aspirin. These foods include berries, almonds, grapes, raisins, plums, peppers and coffee.

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