There are multiple searches going on regarding the food items and their effect on children with ADHD. While factually they may not have come to light yet, but there definitely is an increasing relation between intake of some foods and their effect on ADHD kids. So we have a list of food items to avoid with ADHD children, to help them improve their relative issues with concentration and attentiveness.
ADHD is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a behavioral disorder among children. And many people believe ADHD gets triggered when the kids consume certain kids of foods. Their high levels of energy and unfocussed impulsive behavior gets a rather obtrusive momentum when they consume these foods.
ADHD Food to Avoid List:
Giving these foods which trigger the ADHD symptoms is not only discomforting but also serious for the child’s mental health too. Better than having the child undergo these external triggers, we must try and avoid these foods. Some of these foods are:
1. Yogurt:
While yogurt may be wonderful with its probiotics and lactic acid ingredients, but for ADHD kids it sparks their hyperactivity. Dairy products and specially yogurt has known to show some severe ADHD symptoms in kids. We must remove this from their diet and substitute with more healthier choices.
2. Ice Cream:
Ice cream also induces their ADHD symptoms and they become more and more stimulated with consuming it. They must not be given ice creams to calm down, as that’s just a temporary relief until they finish their sweet treat, after that, they will be supercharged and more active. So do not give them ice cream at all
3. Sugar and Sugary Drinks or Snacks:
Sugar is believed to reduce the vitamins and enzymes needed to calm the body and keep the mood right. Thus it would trigger the ADHD effects in a child since the relaxing mood enzymes are already reduced. So keep the sugars off their diet
4. Caffeine:
Caffeine in the form of tea of coffee is the worst for ADHD kids as they stimulate ADHD effects in them at an altogether high levels. Even a decaf option may not be a good idea for these kids specially if they show hyperactivity after consuming them
5. Cheese:
Dairy as seen has been known to cause ample triggers in ADHD kids. Specially these processed dairy items like cheese have caused more triggers than benefits. They must not be given to ADHD kids
6. Frozen Fruits and Vegetables:
Frozen fruits and vegetables contain artificial colors which trigger ADHD effects in kids. Infact the foods treated with insecticides and frozen with preservatives are known to exacerbate the ADHD symptoms in kids. These must definitely be removed from their diet
7. Energy Drinks:
Powerade and gatorade to begin with are known to bring in spurts of energy in kids. But the ingredients in these drinks worsen the ADHD symptoms in kids. Sugar, artificial colors and ingredients, chemicals and caffeine stimulate the triggers of ADHD in kids
8. Cake Frostings:
Cakes contain a very high amount of sugars which causes ADHD symptoms to worsen. Artificial sweeteners in Cake frostings definitely exacerbate the ADHD symptoms. This further increases the risk factor for ADHD kids over and above the normal sweeteners.
9. Chocolate:
Chocolate contains amounts of caffeine, sugars and artificial sweeteners which cause severe triggers to ADHD kids. Brown chocolate and coco have been known to be the worst culprits, as some ADHD kids show none to mild reactions to white chocolate
10. Corn:
Corn kernels specially the frozen ones are believed to trigger ADHD symptoms in kids. Some ADHD kids even have shown severe reactions when corn is consumed. Thus keep them away from ADHD kids.
Best Foods for ADHD Children:
Some foods are known to keep the ADHD symptoms lower and help these kids stay calm and comfortable for long. These must be given to ADHD kids on a regular basis to help them benefit. Some of these foods are:
- Complex carbs like apples as they subside the ADHD triggers and reactions, specially just before bedtime as these keep the kids calm and sleep better through the night.
- Goats cheese: While cows milk and cheese cause triggers goat’s milk cheese helps the ADHD children to relax and calms them down. Eggs as proteins are the best for ADHD children. It balances and controls the ADHD symptoms in kids, it also improves concentration in ADHD kids.
- Nuts are rich in omega 3 fatty acids specially walnuts and brazil nuts have shown most benefit for ADHD symptom management. These are great for helping these kids get focus and attention.
- Spinach and green leafy vegetables: These are specially known to relax the ADHD kids and help them calm down. They also reduce the effects of ADHD in them
The above compilation on Food items to avoid with ADHD children is to help parents of these kids avoid these mistakes. ADHD is not a disease but rather a situation which needs a lot of effort from both parents and child’s end. Do not just give up as its a journey to help the child in exploring the right ways
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