Certain foods can make your child’s ADHD symptoms worse. Here’s what you need to know to create a better ADHD diet.
Avoid Candy on a Diet for ADHD
Jeff Wasserman/StocksyCandy
is loaded with sugar and artificial colors, a bad combination for
children with ADHD. Both of these common ingredients have been shown to
promote ADHD symptoms — namely hyperactivity — in studies. “With the
high content of sugar and artificial coloring, candy is a huge contributor to ADHD,” said Howard Peiper, a naturopath and the author of The ADD and ADHD Diet!
Sodas, Caffeine, and High-Fructose Corn Syrup Cause ADHD Symptoms
\ThinkstockIf you have ADHD, consider eliminating soda. (Even if you don’t have ADHD, saying no to soda is a good idea.) These drinks often have many of the same sugars and sweeteners that make candy a bad idea for kids on the ADHD diet. And soda has other ingredients that worsen ADHD symptoms, such as high-fructose corn syrup and caffeine. “Excessive sugar and caffeine intake both cause symptoms of hyperactivity and easy distractibility,” says Dr. Barnhill. One 2013 study found that 5-year-old children who drank sodas were more likely to show aggression and social withdrawal.
Frozen Fruits and Vegetables May Exacerbate ADHD Symptoms
Jonelle Weaver/Getty ImagesAlthough fruits and vegetables are healthy choices for an ADHD diet,
some frozen brands contain artificial colors, so check all labels
carefully. Barnhill says some frozen foods can exacerbate ADHD symptoms
for another reason: “Foods
treated with organophosphates for insect control have been shown to
cause neurologic-based behavioral problems that mimic ADHD and many
other behavior problems.”
Nix Cake Mixes and Frostings on a Diet for ADHD
ShutterstockCake mix and frosting contain the high amounts of sugar and
artificial colors that can lead to hyperactivity and other ADHD
symptoms. Naheed Ali, MD, PhD, an expert on ADHD and the author of Diabetes and You: A Comprehensive, Holistic Approach,
added that these products are often also loaded with several artificial
sweeteners. “When frosting and cake mix contain artificial sweeteners,
they increase the risk of ADHD symptoms more than natural sweeteners
would,” he says.
Energy Drinks Can Worsen ADHD Symptoms in Teens
ThinkstockEnergy drinksare
becoming increasingly popular among kids, especially teens.
Unfortunately, they also have a veritable treasure trove of ingredients
that can worsen ADHD symptoms: sugar, artificial sweeteners, artificial
colors, caffeine,
and other stimulants. “Energy drinks are high on the list of things
that cause teens to display behaviors mimicking ADHD,” says Barnhill.
They have no place in a healthy ADHD diet.
Ask an ADHD Dietitian About Eating Fish and Other Seafood
ThinkstockDr.
Ali says that eating fish and other seafood with trace amounts of
mercury can exacerbate ADHD symptoms in the long term. Some of the worst
culprits are shark, king mackerel, swordfish, and tilefish. “Mercury,
like cellulose, is extremely hard to digest and can accumulate in the
brain over time,” explains Ali. “This can lead to hyperactivity.” Talk
to your doctor or ADHD nutritionist about the best types of fish to include in an ADHD diet.
ADHD Symptoms May Be Caused by Food Sensitivities
ShutterstockMany children with food sensitivities
can exhibit ADHD symptoms after they are exposed to certain foods. Some
of the common foods that can cause ADHD reactions include milk,
chocolate, soy,
wheat, eggs, beans, corn, tomatoes, grapes, and oranges. If you suspect
a food sensitivity may be contributing to your child’s ADHD symptoms,
talk to your ADHD dietitian or doctor about trying an elimination diet.
https://thalassanutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Terrible-Foods-for-ADHD-01-1440x810.jpg384684Eric Lecrashttps://thalassanutrition.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/web_logo.pngEric Lecras2019-02-10 04:03:282019-02-10 04:11:117 Foods to Avoid If Your Child Has ADHD