| Just imagine if your child's ADHD could be | | | | wheat, corn, eggs, sometimes gluten containing |
| controlled or even eliminated without the | | | | grains (rye, barley), milk and dairy products. Food |
| long-term risks of ADHD medication. Combining a | | | | allergies can result in biochemical changes, leading |
| diet for ADHD with some of the many available | | | | to restlessness, inattention and even depression. |
| natural remedies lets you address the underlying | | | | Experiment and see how these foods affect your |
| causes of ADHD and not just its symptoms. Here | | | | child. As a general rule, it's best to completely |
| are some proven ideas to help you design an | | | | leave them out of an ADHD diet. |
| effective ADHD diet for your child. | | | | 7. Eliminate soft drinks. Sodas contain not only |
| 1. Fruits and vegetables should be the foundation | | | | large amounts of sugar, artificial colors and |
| of any diet for ADHD. Make sure you exclude | | | | preservatives, but also lots of phosphates. |
| produce containing salicylates (almonds, apples, | | | | Phosphate additives have been linked to |
| apricots, berries, cherries, cucumbers, currants, | | | | exaggerated muscle activity. |
| oranges, peaches, peppers, plums, prunes, and | | | | 8. Try probiotic supplements. Beneficial bacteria |
| tomatoes). | | | | they contain help improve digestion and absorption |
| 2. Include plenty of cold water fish. Fish is rich in | | | | of nutrients from food. |
| essential fatty acids, which are needed for healthy | | | | 9. Be on the lookout for MSG and aspertame. |
| brain function and development. Children with | | | | Both can cause neurological problems in some |
| ADHD are often found to be EFA deficient. Watch | | | | people and should be avoided on ADHD diets. |
| out for mercury contamination and choose fish | | | | 10. High levels of phosphorus and low levels of |
| such as wild caught salmon. | | | | calcium and magnesium have been linked with |
| 3. Remove simple carbohydrates from your child's | | | | hyperactivity. Diet for ADHD should limit foods |
| ADHD diet. They are found in sugar, juices and | | | | that contain phosphorus (such as meat and fat) |
| processed and refined grains. ADHD kids have | | | | and contain plenty of foods that contain calcium |
| been shown to have a hard time processing | | | | and magnesium (nuts, seeds, dark leafy greens). |
| simple sugars. | | | | Your next step? Go to your pantry and get rid of |
| 4. See if your child experiences an improvement | | | | all the items that have no place in your child's |
| on a diet rich in (quality!) protein. Many parents | | | | ADHD diet: sugary foods, refined starchy foods, |
| have found a low-carbohydrate, high-protein | | | | sugary and diet carbonated beverages, anything |
| breakfast especially helpful. | | | | with artificial colorings and preservatives. Stock up |
| 5. Read food labels and exclude anything with | | | | on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and fish |
| artificial food colorings and preservatives. Recent | | | | low in mercury. And don't forget that, as powerful |
| British studies have clearly shown that artificial | | | | as it is, diet for ADHD is only one part of a |
| colors and preservatives lead to hyperactive | | | | natural holistic approach to treating this disorder. |
| behavior and shorter attention spans. Even the | | | | Natural remedies, supplements and counseling |
| British government now warns parents that such | | | | must be explored as well, if we are to truly offer |
| additives can increase ADHD. | | | | our kids the best chance to beat ADHD. |
| 6. The following foods often trigger allergies: | | | | |