Attention Deficit–Hyperactivity Disorder
The right diet is the key to managing many diseases and to improving general quality of life. For this condition, scientific research has found benefit in the following healthy eating tips.
Feingold Diet
Some parents of ADHD children have found success with the Feingold diet, a program that eliminates foods with artificial chemicals and additives.Feingold DietThe two most studied dietary approaches to ADHD are the Feingold diet and a hypoallergenic diet. The Feingold diet was developed by Benjamin Feingold, M.D., on the premise that salicylates (chemicals similar to aspirin that are found in a wide variety of foods) are an underlying cause of hyperactivity. In some studies, this hypothesis does not appear to hold up.32 However, in studies where markedly different levels of salicylates were investigated, a causative role for salicylates could be detected in some hyperactive children.33 As many as 10 to 25% of children may be sensitive to salicylates.34 Parents of ADHD children can contact local Feingold Associations for more information about which foods and medicines contain salicylates.
The Feingold diet also eliminates synthetic additives, dyes, and chemicals, which are commonly added to processed foods. The yellow dye tartrazine has been specifically shown to provoke symptoms in controlled studies of ADHD-affected children.35 Again, not every child reacts, but enough do so that a trial avoidance may be worthwhile. The Feingold diet is complex and requires guidance from either the Feingold Association or a healthcare professional familiar with the Feingold diet.
Low-Sugar
While further research is needed, some evidence shows that avoiding sugar reduces aggressiveness and restlessness in children with ADHD.Low-SugarSome parents believe that consuming sugar may aggravate ADHD. One study found that avoiding sugar reduced aggressiveness and restlessness in hyperactive children.36 Girls who restrict sugar have been reported to improve more than boys.37 However, a study using large amounts of sugar and aspartame (NutraSweet®) found that negative reactions to these substances were limited to just a few children.38 While most studies have not found sugar to stimulate hyperactivity, except in rare cases,39 the experimental design of these studies may not have been ideal for demonstrating an adverse effect of sugar on ADHD, if one exists. Further studies are needed.
Low-Allergen
Eliminating additives and allergenic foods from the diet has been shown to help children with attention problems. Read labels to avoid problem foods.Low-AllergenIn one study, children diagnosed with ADHD were put on a hypoallergenic diet, and those children who improved (about one-third) were then challenged with food additives. All of them experienced an aggravation of symptoms when given these additives.40 Other studies have shown that eliminating individual allergenic foods and additives from the diet can help children with attention problems.41,42