Is Your Child Naughty, Or Is It Somethiing They Ate?

Is your child naughty, or is it something they ate?
Children with severe ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive
Disorder) and many with lesser concentration problems can react
to ‘food triggers’ They have the potential to show a distinct
improvement in mood and mind when the offending foods are
removed from their diet When food is considered to be the
‘trigger’ it is necessary that the food or food group is
eliminated for a period of time, to truly establish it’s
reactive potential Foods and additives should always be
considered when working with behavioural issues, before
progressing to a more investigative programme ie clinical
testing
Sugar can be a huge trigger with children, as it disturbs their
delicate blood sugar balance All children have a preference for
sweet foods, but sucrose or refined sugar can create extreme
highs and lows, which can then further impact on mental function
Although the general perception is that the major food offenders
are more likely to be the refined, unhealthy foods, this is not
always the case Fruits and vegetables are also identified as
triggers for hyperactivity; these are foods that are rich in
chemicals called salicylates If a child were found to be
sensitive to these chemicals they would need to eliminate foods
such as: o Almonds o Apples o Apricots o Berries (all) o
Cherries o Cucumbers pickles o Currants o Grapes raisins o
Oranges, nectarines and tangerines o Peaches o Peppers (bell
chilli) o Plums, prunes
Salicylate foods have an aspirin like quality that causes
reactions in children and some adults Some of these foods are
packaged and dried especially for consumption of children, these
include apricots and currants and raisins Along with the
allergic reaction they cause these fruits, which are very high
in sugar, further exacerbate blood sugar problems, causing
further behavioural problems
Both wheat and dairy can be problematic, as can gluten a protein
found in wheat, rye and barley Some gluten sensitive
individuals may also experience problems with oats
Tartrazine (E102) is probably the most abundant
colouring/additive used in children’s foods today and
unfortunately is one of the most reactive food chemicals on the
market The problem with E102 is that is leaches zinc out of the
body, which is then excreted in the urine For children who have
sensitivity to E102 or who have a very low zinc status, this can
be very problematic, as zinc is a major mineral required for the
production of neurotransmitters (brain chemicals)
Monosodium glutamate (MSG) or (E621) is another additive that
can be problematic to both adults and children In children’s
foods it is used mainly in burgers and crisps Estimates of the
numbers of people who react to MSG vary wildly from 1-2% to as
many as 25-30% of the population The US FDA-documented adverse
reactions to MSG, some, which are specific to behaviour, are
headache, heart rate change, mood changes, fatigue, and
dizziness Other studies include reactions such as difficulty in
concentration, extreme mood swings, depression, difficulty with
balance, sleep disturbances and hyperactivity Reaction time
varies, from shortly after consumption, to delayed reactions of
up to 48 hours after ingestion Duration times also vary Recent
research has proposed that too much glutamate causes excessive
brain cell excitation that can lead to cell death It has been
further suggested that in the long term this could play a part
in neuro-degenerative disease such as Alzheimer and Parkinson’s
such as Alzheimer and Parkinson’s such as Alzheimer’s and
Parkinson’s
Children display a myriad of symptoms from food
allergy/intolerance but attention deficit hyperactive disorder
is the most publicised Other symptoms that should be
considered, can present in isolation or as part of a ‘complex’
of behaviour
o Low or excess energy o Anger o Irritability o Reclusive
behaviour, sleepy or drowsy o Mood swings o Tantrums o Withdrawn
behaviour due to poor hearing or vision (caused by allergy) o
Poor hand eye co-ordination o Incomplete or poor communication o
Inability to integrate properly o Depression
A DIET FIT FOR A CHILD?
CARBOHYDRATES
Complex not refined to provide slow release energy, fibre and
vitamins and minerals White flour and rice should be
substituted for whole grains Nuts, seeds and pulses, fruits and
vegetables should be included daily
PROTEINS
Are the building blocks for bones, teeth, muscles, ligaments and
nails, also the hormonal and nervous system These require high
quality protein, which is vital to enable a growing body to
function optimally Foods to incorporate: Dairy, milk, cheese,
yoghurt Eggs, red meat, fish, chicken Pulses, lentils, grains,
oats Nuts and seeds and soya Also vegetables contain small
amounts
FATS
The diet should reduce trans and saturated fats (margarine and
fried foods) in favour of essential fats to aid health and brain
development Oily fish, nuts, seeds, whole grains, avocados and
corn
WATER
As clean and pure as possible and should be used instead of
fizzy, sugary drinks
LONG TERM…
Acknowledge that your child is an individual Just because the
food is available doesn’t necessarily mean that it will suit
your child’s metabolism or mind Be aware that food is an
extremely powerful tool in your child’s development

Tags | attention, balance, behavioural, concentration, distinct, foods, highs, hyperactive, improvement, problems, result, salicylate, sugar, unhealthy