ADHD Diet & Nutrition – Follow these Do’s & Don’ts
ADHD in most cases has been related to diet that includes allergies linked to food and nutritional deficiencies. An ADHD diet works simply by getting rid of certain types of foods that maybe triggering off symptoms of ADHD; in addition to adding important foods that can help in reducing or eliminating the symptoms of ADHD completely. As parents it is important to address the root cause of the disorder, and if nutrition is indeed one of the important factors that cause ADHD, making healthy food choices for the child can be beneficial in the long run. ADHD nutrition or ADHD diet is far more valuable than consuming the highly toxic pharmaceutical drugs that only mask the symptoms.
One important recommendation in adopting a healthy ADHD diet is to consider consuming certified organic food products that are grown without the help of pesticides or artificial fertilizers. More importantly, since organic foods are grown without the use of genetically modified seeds, or irradiation, it can be a wholesome choice as a strategy to cleanse the body of ADHD. Alternative therapists are of the opinion that an ADHD diet or ADHD nutrition is one that eliminates the consumption of dairy products completely from the diet. Other foods that do not find place in an ADHD diet include corn, bananas, junk foods, fruit juices, fruit drinks containing food colorings and preservatives, refined sugar, artificial and synthetic sweeteners, chocolate, white foods, forms of pure starch, processed meats and foods containing monosodium glutamate, deep fried foods, food colorings and food additives. On the other hand an ADHD diet should include foods at are high in protein and low in carbohydrates, mineral supplements, whole grains, fiber, and whole grain cereals, plenty of fresh fruits especially papayas and vegetables, and oils from Flax seeds, fish and Primrose.
Changing and adapting to a particular diet is a long process, and sometimes difficult to adhere to. Since ADHD is a highly complicated and difficult disorder, each person with ADHD is incomparable. It is not easy to make standard dietary recommendations that will work for every child with ADHD. Hence parents are advised to monitor their children’s activity and diet and make a note of marked changes or reactions to foods containing specific ingredients. These foods can then be eliminated from the children’s diets shown to be triggering off ADHD symptoms. However care must be taking to see that a diet is not too restrictive as it may result in nutritional deficiencies in growing children. More importantly parents must consult medical experts before experimenting on dietary treatments or supplements as an approach to ADHD.
