If you are a parent of an ADHD child you have probably read
that the American diet of foods high in fat, salt, and processed sugar does
little to help your child. In fact our “Western-style” diet gives children a
higher risk of ADHD than children on a healthier diet that is rich in fish,
vegetables, fruit and whole grains all of which contain a lot of fiber and
omega-3 fatty acids.
Healthy diet
Researchers from Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago
compared the recent studies of diet for ADHD children. They found that children
with this diagnosis perform best on a diet that avoids dyes, preservatives and
other additives.
There is no doubt that we are what we eat. The poor
nutrition from the “Western-diet” has also affected young children with an
increase in obesity. These foods that are full of preservatives have a parallel
effect with a child’s neurodevelopment.
Natural treatment
versus medication
There are 13 essential Recommended Daily Allowances of
vitamins and minerals that children need for optimum health. Growing bodies
need carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals to develop correctly. Most
American children don’t meet the proper nutrition requirements. A national
survey from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found 1 in 4 teens
were eating fruit less than once a day and 1 in 3 were eating vegetables less
than once daily. Teens should be eating 4 to 5 cups of fruit and vegetables a
day. A cup is a medium apple or a large tomato.
If your child is a picky eater a multivitamin can provide
missing nutrients and minerals. Omega-3 fatty acids are needed for healthy
brain development. Fish oil capsules and flax seed supplements can be used as a
replacement for fresh fish or salmon. Vitamin D is naturally absorbed during
outdoor activities. During the winter milk, soy and orange juice can help
fortify this gap. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 200 IU of
Vitamin D and 500 mg of calcium for children 1 to 3 years old. These amounts
increase as they grow.
Most parents will want to try a natural treatment for their
child that is diagnosed with ADHD. This should also be combined with behavioral
therapy which involves positive reinforcements to help children control their
impulsivity. Medications are still the single most effective treatment
available for ADHD which affects 5 to 8% school-aged children. These symptoms
can persist into adulthood with inattention, hyperactivity and
impulsivity. Parents should pursue
options that are best for their child with the understanding of the limited
research to them to determine benefits and outcome.
