Diet for ADHD Children
A diet for ADHD kids can be one of the most effective ADHD treatments available to you. ADHD diet therapy is the place to begin addressing concentration and hyperactivity issues, even before considering medication. A diet for hyperactive kids can often eliminate behavioral and attention problems without having to resort to stimulant drugs.
Do you pay attention to what your child likes to eat? To drink? An ADHD child is frequently very sensitive to what goes into his body. They are hyperactive children. And yes, we can blame many foods and beverages for that to a large extent.
Many parents have found that food allergies are a major cause of ADHD behavior. This is one of the major reasons that adhd diet therapy is so effective.
The connection between ADHD and diet is huge. Does your child become more active after having carbonated drinks or chocolate or sugary desserts? If yes, then you have come to the right place!!!!!
Certain foods might make your child more hyperactive, thus making the symptoms of ADD and ADHD more difficult to deal with. Many people don’t even know that a diet for ADHD children needs to be different from what most children eat in today's society. ADHD diet therapy for children is one of the most important aspects of managing this disorder.
Unfortunately, parents of an ADHD child don’t know how to prepare a menu for ADHD. Many also lack skills in parenting an ADHD child. This combination of lack of parenting skills and poor ADHD diet can lead to major problems.
Many parents ask me, is there a recommended diet for hyperactive chidren? Is there a list of foods for the ADHD child? Yes there is a special diet for ADHD children and making use of it can often eliminate the need for medication.
There are ADHD recipes for adults and ADHD child recipes that you should be aware of. In this article, I will tell you a few key points to consider while making a menu for the ADHD child.
There are many ADHD diet solutions. Here’s a list of do’s and don’ts to help you get started
Foods to Avoid for ADHD
ADHD diet therapy must include avoiding certain foods as well as eating more a wide range of healthy foods. Because of the connection between diet and ADHD, there are many types of foods that should be avoided. Here are the basics:
1. Don’t give your child processed food. Avoid additives, preservatives, artificial colors and artificial flavors. Many ADHD children are hypersensitive and react to one or all of these.
One family's first experience with this was when they gave their son a prescription antibiotic that contained red dye #40. He was out of control for the next 2 hours.
2. Don’t give him dairy products. Stop giving him milk for at least 2 weeks. Stop cheese, cream and yogurt.
3. Stop his soft drink intake. No colas, no ice teas, no carbonated drink in any form.
4. No fruit juices. Surprising as it is, this is an important food to avoid for ADHD children. They have too much natural sugar.
5. Don’t let him eat junk food. It’s all processed and has the ability to raise blood glucose levels making the situation worse.
6. Cut his sugar intake. No candies, no chocolates, no desserts, no ice creams.
7. Don’t let him eat any meat item that has been processed, packed or premade. Use only fresh meat which you cook by yourself.
8. Don’t let him eat any fried products like potato chips etc.
9. Don’t let him eat snacks. No food between meal times.
The Best ADHD Diet
1. ADHD diet therapy should include an organic diet. Certified organic products are foods which are grown without the use of potentially harmful long-lasting pesticides, herbicides and fungicides. Since organic foods are also grown without genetically processed seeds, sewage sludge or irradiation, some people feel that this is a more wholesome choice. This avoids many of the unknown substances that your child's overly sensitive body may have problems with.
2. Give him plenty of water. The brain is made up of 85-90% of water. It will help him a lot!! Don't overlook this. It really is critical.
3. Give him raw fruits and vegetables. A lot of them.
4. Give him a good choice of homemade food. Use a variety of recipes that he won’t get bored with.
5. Give him multivitamins and protein supplements.
6. Provide rich sources of Omega-3 fatty acids in his diet. These are found in flax seed and fish. Fish oil supplements are also recommended as an easy way to keep these essential fatty acids in your child's system.
7. Consider some of the natural herbal supplements that have been proven to help with ADD and ADHD. These products help with anxiety and hyperactivity for ADHD children as well as improving alertness and concentration for those dealing with ADD.
8. Always remember to praise your child for being willing to eat a healthy diet. Being aware of the foods to avoid for ADHD is not easy for a child. It is difficult for him to let go of many of the foods that cause ADHD behavior. Remember to reward him whenever possible.
Keep in mind that a diet for ADHD kids is a powerful tool to use for reducing hyperacitve behavior. Many disorders that accompany ADHD can be totally eliminated with the proper ADHD diet therapy.
Try some of these websites for ADHD recipes and food tips.
• www.bettycrocker.com
• www.add-adhd-help-center.com/adhd_diet.htm
• www.vaxa.com/add-recipes.cfm
• www.vaxa.com/ADHD-diet-information.cfm
• www.health.kaboose.com
• www.familyfun.go.com
• www.addforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=112
• www.phosadd.com/recipes/recipes.htm
• www.eatsugarfree.com/sugarfreelowcarb/
• www.drinkswap.com