Diet for ADHD Kids

Symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) often appear before the age of seven. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, children with ADHD find it difficult to concentrate and may exhibit inappropriate behaviors, including fidgeting, squirming, interrupting or engaging in boisterous play at unacceptable times. While there is no known food cure for ADHD, dietary deficiencies and food allergies may contribute to the disorder. A nutritious diet is desirable for ADHD kids.

Food Allergies

• The Feingold Diet is popular in alternative health circles for treating ADHD. (See Resources.) Pediatrician and allergist, Dr. Ben Feingold, studied the effects of food additives on children and their behavior when the additives were no longer present in their diet. Although Feingold claimed a 70% success rate with his patients, his results have not been duplicated in controlled tests. However, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) notes a small success rate in children who follow the diet.

  By eliminating all possible dietary triggers of ADHD and gradually reintroducing substances one at a time, an allergy to specific food additives may be determined. A simple diet of whole grain products and fresh fruits and vegetables is necessary during the elimination phase, which lasts up to six weeks. After the elimination phase, food products are reintroduced into the child's diet one at a time, and any changes in the child's behavior are noted. If the symptoms of ADHD increase, that food is permanently removed from the child's diet.

  Food products to avoid include those containing synthetic colors, signified on a food label as "color added" or "FD&C Red No. 3," as well as products with artificial flavoring and sweeteners. Sugar is not forbidden, but children should not consume too many sugary items.

  Preservatives may trigger ADHD symptoms in some children. The Feingold Diet cites studies pertaining to preservatives that appear on food labels as BHA, BHT or TBHQ. Removing foods with these preservatives may prevent allergy-related ADHD symptoms.

Deficiencies

• Addressing potential deficiencies is an imperative step in developing a diet for a child with ADHD. Disabled-World.com reports that ADHD children may suffer from a nutritional deficiency of iron, antioxidants, zinc or fatty acids. Although some children may see an improvement when supplements are added to their diet, a well-balanced meal plan, rich in natural vitamins and minerals, is sufficient to balance out deficiencies in most children. Parents can create meal plans based upon United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines for the child's age.