Did you know that when children eat some foods the reactions can actually mimic learning disabilities?
Good nutrition is the first step in helping your child succeed in school and in life. It’s easy if you know what to avoid and what foods actually enhance the brain.
There are some foods that kids with ADHD just should never eat. The effects of these foods can be dramatic. Many people know about food dyes but there are other, more insidious foods you may not be aware of.
Foods to Avoid (Especially if your Child has ADHD)
1. Artificial Colorings & Dyes:
Chemicals and food additives can be huge culprits to hyperactivity in your child. When purchasing a packaged food, check the food label to be sure it does not include the following ingredients:
a. FD&C Blue No. 1 and No. 2
b. FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine) and No. 6
c. FD&C Green No. 3
d. Orange B
e. Citrus Red No.
f. FD&C Red No. 3 and No. 40 (allura)
Some of the foods that may contain some about the above ingredients include things like sports drinks, candy, cereals, toothpaste, vitamins, fruit snacks, condiments, and cake mixes.
2. Preservatives:
Synthetic foods and preservatives have been known to contribute to hyperactivity, and can make certain behaviors worse. Some of the ingredients to avoid under this category include:
a. Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
b. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
c. Sodium nitrate d. Tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ)
3. Sugars and Artificial Sweeteners:
Sugar can be a huge component for causing hyperactivity and even ADHD, and artificial sweeteners are not much better. A low sugar diet is best, and avoiding artificial sweeteners is recommended as well. www.learningsuccesssystem.com
4. Salicylates:
Dr. Benjamin Feingold had found that removing salicylates and artificial dyes and flavors greatly helps his ADHD patients back in the 70’s. Salicylates are found in some of the following foods:
a. Apples
b. Apricots
c. Grapes
d. Strawberries
e. Mushrooms
f. Peppers
5. Allergens:
If you child suffers with an undiagnosed food allergy, this food could be impairing their brain function. Trying an elimination diet is the best way to see if a particular food is contributing to certain behaviors. If you suspect a certain food allergy, try removing the foods one at a time to see if you notice a difference in behavior. The most common food allergies include:
a. Wheat
b. Milk
c. Peanuts
d. Eggs
e. Soy
f. Fish
g. Shellfish
Foods that Fuel the Brain
There are also a number of food that enhance brain health. To get a list of these and a free cookbook full of fast and easy brain safe recipes that kids love click here.
Children can have a sensitivity to certain foods — dairy, wheat, corn, soy, eggs, nuts, and citrus are common culprits
Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert
Key takeaways
- Some food reactions can mimic ADHD
- Some Children have a sensitivity to foods that aggravate symptoms of Learning Difficulties
- Each child with ADHD is different, and what worsens symptoms in one may not affect another.
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