What is ADHD ADD
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurologic syndrome that exhibits symptoms such as hyperactivity, forgetfulness, mood shifts, poor impulse control, and distrac...
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Hi Everyone,
My five year old Colin has not been formally diagnosed yet but it is very obvious it is ADHD. My husband doesn't want to put him on medication I on the other hand am not totally closed to the idea. A few days ago I started looking up diet on the internet. Truthfully I have never been one to follow diets and I'm really bad for knowing what food contains what. I have been giving him two scrambled eggs with baked beans for breakfast (he doesn't like eggs so the beans hide them) and I cut out chicken nuggets which are his favorite. I went out and bought everything whole wheat. Even whole wheat flour and pancake mix. I've made my own chicken nuggest with whole wheat breadcrumbs. I've been giving him 400mg of Omega 3 vitamin which I read it what they should have. I think there is a big difference in him. His teacher even called and said he wasn't jumping out of his seat as much. Honestly the change was instantly so I don't know if thats possible. I thought I was doing the right thing until someone told me that i have to cut out carbs all together including the whole wheat. This would be very hard for me to do. I also read no dairy. Milk is not a problem as he prefers water but he does like a yogurt. I also heard its not so much the sugar but the preservatives in food. Was wondering if I made whole wheat chocolate chip cookies if that would be ok. Any suggestions or help would be most appreciated. Thanks for your help! I'm very new to all of this. Nadine Posted on 10/31/09, 12:10 pm |
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my son had the same problem when he was younger, he is now 28 years old... I am not an advocate of medicating all the children in the world... I did however with the help of a nutritionist put my son on a diet...
Here it goes, very simple... no red meat... nothing fried... nothing with preservatives...no caffeine... no it is not so much the sugar contrary to belief. but do not load him up on it. My son was allowed a treat occasionally, some m&m's or something like that... but mostly I bought sugar free popsicles, etc and he loved them. Dairy products were not a problem with him. OH, and exercise, exercise, exercise!! Keep him busy!! Hope you have good results in what you are trying!! 
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You are definitely on the right track! Good for you for committing to better nutrition for your children. I will attach my basic adhd nutrition plan below. Hopefully it will help you. It definitely works. I have seen it in my own child. You don't have to cut out carbs but it helps a lot to make sure that along with that breakfast waffle your child gets protein. This keeps their blood sugar from spiking and falling which creates a lack of focus. Good luck!
Basic Natural Plan for ADHD 1. Eliminate all food colorings (very hard to do). This is one of the main principles of the long-proven and effective Feingold Diet. 2. Eliminate all nitrates (in sandwich meats, bacon, hot dogs, other processed meats) and preservatives such as sodium benzoate. (Another basic principle of the Feingold Diet). 3. Buy all organic if possible but at the very least eliminate high fructose corn syrup & partially hydrogenated oils. Unfortunately, you will find that if you are trying to eliminate the 4 previously mentioned things (food dyes, preservatives, hfcs, & hydrogenated oils) you will be left with very little choice besides organic. However, the investment is well worth it for everyone in the family. 4. Try the gluten free casein free diet (gfcf). This has been shown to help children with ADHD & Autism (often thought to be on the same spectrum). Start by eliminating dairy. This diet is not easy, but it’s not as bad as you think. You can do it. 5. I have done a lot of research about supplements and vitamins and after all my reading decided on the following formula for 6-12 year olds put forth by Dr. Scott Shannon, Child Psychiatrist, in the book Please Don’t Label My Child. --Multivitamin --200 I.U. Vit. E --500 mg. Vit. C --50 mg. B complex --250 mg. calcium w/ magnesium --1000 mg fish oil/omega 3 (probably the most important. Omega 3’s are important for brain function & improve focus & mood). Try Nordic Naturals Jr. capsules (can be chewed or swallowed). Don’t bother with the liquid. You will probably not be able to get your child to take it. My son takes all these vitamins in adult pill form. It’s amazing! --I personally have also included probiotics --During my research I read a lot about zinc but have not included this. 6. Read the following books: Please Don’t Label My Child by Dr. Scott Shannon, Healing the New Childhood Epidemics: Autism, ADHD, Allergies & Asthma by Dr. Kenneth Bock, The Autism & ADHD Diet by Barrie Silberberg. I am currently doing all parts of my plan (except for #3) with my 6 yr. old son and have seen improvements. My husband and I have decided not to use medication with him. After a short trial of Concerta during which he immediately developed a pronounced facial tic among other things I renewed my efforts with natural remedies. It is very hard but definitely possible and not as hard as you think. Good Luck!
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