If you have a child with attention deficit disorder you must know that a specific ADHD diet plan for kids can be very helpful. We appreciate the fact that seeing your little one unable to focus, struggling with impulse control, and a general inability to concentrate for extended periods of time is quite frustrating but fortunately there are a few simple steps you can take from introducing dietary changes to all natural remedies to help your child live a more enjoyable and easier Life.
ADHD Diet Plan for Kids…Dietary Changes to Consider.
There has been much written and debated about with regards to diet modifications of children with ADHD, but many experts believe that dietary changes can help control the symptoms to varying degrees. ADHD researcher Daniel Amen, MD offers the following:
1. Switch to a high protein diet rich in meats, nuts, fish, cheese, and beans. Incorporate protein into all three meals and make sure that an afternoon snack with protein is offered after school. This may help improve concentration.
2. Reduce the amount of simple carbohydrates offered. That means cutting out candy, cookies, white bread, refined carbohydrates, sugars of all sorts, and potatoes that are cooked without skins. This can be particularly challenging for kids as so many of the foods marketed to them are essentially packed full with sugar.
3. Increase complex carbohydrates by sticking to whole fruits and plenty of vegetables and whole grains. If your child has difficulty sleeping, a snack of complex carbohydrates may help them sleep better.
4. Up Omega-3 Fatty acid intake. Extra virgin, cold pressed olive oil, deep sea fatty fish, walnuts, and Brazil nuts are all good sources of this essential nutrient which has such a profound effect upon the brain. You can even opt to get it in supplements, but make sure you get one with a good reputation.
Track Changes for Accuracy.
It can really help to keep track of the changes you are making and your child’s behavior in response. Keeping a journal of which foods you have added, when they eat them, and how they behave each day will give you an idea of which changes have proven most effective when tailoring a diet for ADHD kids.
For example, if you have started to include protein in breakfast every day and your child is doing better through the school day based upon reports from teachers, you have a clue that it may be helping. If adding a complex carbohydrate snack at bedtime did nothing for sleep patterns, consider trying a protein based snack instead.
Nutrition has a profound affect upon how anyone acts; figuring out your child’s needs is part of the process of using a diet for ADHD as a natural avenue of curbing your child’s behaviors.
Consider an Elimination Diet as Well
There are a number of foods that trigger ADHD and can affect behavior negatively. Adapting to these food changes can take some time. For example, caffeine can help, but it can also exacerbate symptoms depending upon the individual. Many additives and artificial ingredients present in so many of our processed foods have been shown to have a negative affect on the behavior of children with ADHD as well. In the journal you keep as you make changes in your child’s diet, make sure to note any such ingredients and if you see a pattern of behavior that correlates to such foods.
Foods to Avoid with ADHD in Children.
If you have a child suffering from ADHD, I’m sure you have been told all sorts of differing stories about what you shouldn’t feed your child! Every child reacts differently to certain foods.
- Processed Foods… A good place to start, is with reducing the amount of packaged or processed foods that your child is eating. This will help to eliminate preservatives and additives like artificial flavorings and colorings. (If you can try and eat ‘Organic’ foods where possible, you are also eliminating Pesticides and other toxins from the diet).
- Mercury…It is recommended that children suffering ADHD try and avoid fish that are known to contain high levels of mercury, such as shark, Mackerel and Swordfish. Higher levels of mercury do affect our concentration.
- Dairy…Some ADHD children do have a bad reaction to dairy. Perhaps try the elimination diet for a few weeks and monitor the effect it has to remove dairy completely.
- Gluten…You can find out if your child suffering ADHD is sensitive to Gluten, by having a simple blood test. It the results confirm this, it means eliminating all foods made with wheat, rye and barley. (If it’s a packaged food, best to check the label for “Gluten Free” as some of these packaged foods include gluten as a hidden additive.
- Sugar… Although studies on the effects of sugar on ADHD sufferers, hasn’t proven to be negative, it doesn’t show a positive effect either. Some parents do swear that they see a noticeable difference when they remove sugar from their child’s diet. Keep in mind that a lot of sugary foods, contain artificial additives and it may actually be these that they are sensitive to , and not the sugar!
Opting to treat ADHD naturally may take more effort on your part than just handing your child a pill each day, but the results of using a natural fresh and healthy ADHD diet plan for kids, as well as supplements for ADHD can be well worth the effort.
Bioray Focus; A Natural Remedy to Help ADHD Kids
Bioray Focus offers a natural and safe organic solution to help children with ADHD symptoms. Leading natural solution to reduce hyperactivity, and erratic impulsive behavior in children.
If you have a child that has problems focusing, try this all-natural formula especially for kids. Parents have noticed changes in their kids such as the ability to think clearer and handle stress more easily. NDF Focus also helps with cognitive function, clarity and supports adrenal function.
- Gluten Free,
- Dairy Free,
- vegan,
- Alcohol free,
- soy free and
- safely removes Heavy metals and chemicals.
All the Bioray Kids products contain NDF (Natural detox Factors). Micronized chlorella is a specially processed green algae that binds toxins together safely then carries them from the body.
To administer, just shake the bottle well and mix with your child’s favorite drink, or simply mix with water.
- Improves concentration (both focus and duration) in the classroom and at work
- Reduces distractibility, inattention, attention deficit and poor decision making
- Helps children who have a difficult time adapting to even minor changes in routine
Wishing you every success in helping your little one,