The causes of ADHD are not known definitively, but significant amounts of evidence suggest that there is an environmental component to the condition. With increasing frequency, food and food additives have been implicated in the condition. The following represents comprehensive advice. Every child is unique and may require an individualized version of the following restrictions.
Dietary Suggestions for ADHD:
Elimination diets seem to be the best dietary interventions to improve ADHD symptoms in children[1].
The following are recommended for removal permanently or temporarily from the diet:
- Fried Foods and foods containing saturated fats[2]
- Refined Sugar[3]
- Processed foods (food colourings, artificial flavouring, preservatives, MSG, processed meats, added sugars, artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame ….)
- Dairy Products especially cow's milk. Use almond or rice milk as an alternative.
- Grains containing Gluten such as wheat, barley, rye. Use gluten-free grains such as quinoa, millet and buckwheat instead.
- Yellow Foods (especially corn or squash, bananas are okay).
- Chocolate
- Salicylates containing foods: are often implicated in ADD/ADHD. These are tricky to eliminate from the diet because they occur naturally as well as being used as additives.
Salicylates are found in almonds, pears, apricots, apples, bananas, blueberries, cherries, cucumbers, grapes, grapefruits, lemons, melon, nectarines, oranges, peaches, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, peas, green peppers, hot peppers, pickles, tomatoes. START BY BEING AWARE OF HOW OFTEN THESE FOODS ARE INCLUDED IN THE DIET, THEIR QUANTITY CAN BE MODIFIED FROM THERE.
- Caffeine
- Food allergens. Eliminate foods your child is allergic or sensitive to.
Dietary Tips for ADHD:
- Eat homemade meals with all-natural ingredients
- Eat plenty of raw organic vegetables and fruits[4].
- Have protein sources at every meal to help maintain balanced blood sugar levels. Some good protein sources to consider are wild-caught fish, grass-fed organic meat, eggs, legumes, nuts and seeds, protein powder …
- Make protein shakes ahead of time and store them in the freezer. Protein shakes are great for breakfast or as a snack
- Consider fish oil supplementation
[1] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24934907/
[2] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30986731/
