The ADD ADHD Diet
The ADD ADHD Diet...
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Many parents have found that diet and nutrition have played a major role in treating their children's ADD and ADHD.
An ADD ADHD diet may have positive changes in your childs behaviour, but before beginning any treatment or making any dietary changes for your child you should first check with your doctor.
An ADD/ADHD Diet Eliminates Food Additives
Many people feel that foods that contain unnatural chemicals can have especially adverse affects on the behaviour of any child, but especially in a child with ADD or ADHD.
An ADD/ADHD diet eliminates food additives, artificial flavouring and processed foods from a child's diet.
An ADD/ADHD diet also eliminates food dyes, as well as foods that are commonly associated with allergic reactions; such as wheat, cow's milk, eggs, chocolate, corn, yeast, apple juice and orange juice.
An ADD/ADHD Diet Eliminates Sugar
It is believed that some children have difficulty with metabolizing glucose and therefore it is believed that sugar can be the culprit for causing hyperactivity in some children.
An ADD/ADHD diet cuts down on sugar, or eliminates sugar all together and also cuts down on carbohydrates. That means avoiding many sugary breakfast cereals, donuts and cakes, white rice and white bread.
An ADD/ADHD Diet considers Magnesium
A diet deficient in magnesium can cause common psychiatric problems like anxiety, depression and irritability.
There have been studies that have shown ADD ADHD children to be deficient in common minerals, including magnesium, iron and zinc. Making sure an ADD/ADHD diet is rich in magnesium has proven to have positive affects on ADD ADHD behaviour.
Foods that are made with whole wheat flour, sea salt, molasses, and natural sugar are often found in an ADD/ADHD diet.
ADD/ADHD Diets Contain Essential Fatty Acids
Fatty acids are part of an ADD/ADHD diet because the fatty acids allow the body to make DHA, which is important for the brain.
The best source of essential fatty acids is flax seed and flax oil. An ADD/ADHD diet also contains oily fish, like salmon, herring, trout and sardines.
ADD ADHD Dietary Guidelines
ADD/ADHD diets follow basic dietary guidelines that include:
- Eating five to six times a day, in order to keep blood sugar even
- Not eating three hours before going to bed
- Limiting fruit juices
- Avoiding white rice and bread and other simple carbohydrates
- Avoid drinks with caffeine
- Vegetables are important. In fact, the more vegetables you can add to your child's diet, the better.
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