If your kid just won’t sit still, acts impulsively or is having trouble concentrating, you’ve probably wondered if she could have ADHD. It’s a term that’s thrown around so much that it’s hard not to suspect it when your kid acts up.

There are actually three subtypes of ADHD: predominantly hyperactive-impulsive, predominantly inattentive, and combined hyperactive-impulsive and inattentive. Most children with ADHD have the combined disorder, wherein trained observers record six or more symptoms of inattention and six or more symptoms of hyperactivity/impulsivity.

While all children have some of these behaviors, ADHD sufferers have them more often and in more severe forms. The diagnosis isn’t given casually -- the symptoms have to be present for six or more months and in greater manifestation than other children of the same age.

So if you think your child has the disorder, talk to the doctor first. Then you can start worrying what to do about it.

The medical community is as yet unsure as to the cause of ADHD. Genetics, environment and prenatal influences may all play a role, but some doctors and nutritionists also believe that food and drink have a substantial impact on the behaviors.

Symptoms of ADHD

There are many different symptoms of ADHD, which sometimes are confused with other conditions.

·         Easily distracted


·         Not detail-oriented

·         Forgetful

·         Bounce from one activity to another

·         Bored within a few minutes

Kids who have it may be unable to focus on the task at hand, which makes it difficult to learn new things or complete any task. This is particularly frustrating in modern education systems, which places a premium on following directions and paying attention.

With hyperactivity, the afflicted tend to squirm, talk non-stop, constantly fidget and stay in motion, and cannot participate in quiet tasks or activities that require sitting still and focusing.

Those with impulsivity will be impatient, emotional, have difficulty waiting and often interrupt others. They sometimes will blurt inappropriate comments and often act without regard to consequences.

Many children begin to exhibit signs of ADHD at age 7, with about 9 percent of teenagers and more than 4 percent of adults continuing with signs of the disorder.

Although the causes may be disputed, many believe that diet can help improve negative symptoms of ADHD for some people, allowing them to live more normal lives.


Is There a Link Between ADHD and Diet?

The governing assumption of an ADHD diet is that the foods and any nutritional supplements ingested can have an effect on symptoms of the disorder. Thus, there are supplement plans, for which certain foods and nutrients are added to the diet, and elimination diets, in which food and nutrients are taken away.

While research is limited, some experts believe that nutrition that targets the brain is ultimately the key to helping control any situation.

Here are seven suggestions for a comprehensive ADHD diet plan. Some of the best choices include lean meat, fish, eggs, nuts, beans and olive oil. All provide wholesome nutrition without much processing, although salted nuts and canned beans should be monitored for excess ingredients.

Those choices break down into seven advisories:

1. Eat more protein. Of course, meats are good sources of protein, but so are cheese, eggs, nuts and beans. If consumed in the morning and as mid-afternoon snacks, they may help improve concentration and may work with ADHD medications to help them last longer
2. Cut back on simple carbohydrates. Consumption of foods containing corn syrup, candy, sugar, white flour products, white rice and potatoes without skins should be reduced.
3. Eat more complex carbohydrates. Vegetables and fruits like pears, apples, oranges, tangerines and kiwi are recommended.
4. More omega-3 fatty acids. This nutrient is found in cold-water white fish, including tuna and salmon, as well as walnuts, Brazil nuts, olive oil, and canola oil. There are also omega-3 supplements.
   

5. Avoid artificial colorings in foods. The American Academy of Pediatrics believes that artificial colorings should be eliminated from the diets of children with ADHD. Red and yellow colorings are particularly suspect.
6. Artificial ingredients and preservatives - Ingredients like MSG, aspartame and nitrates are suspect, as is the preservative sodium benzoate.
7. Take vitamin supplements - Some medical professionals believe a 100 percent vitamin supplement is a good addition to the diet, particularly in children. Others argue that a balanced diet should provide all of the nutrition needed and caution against megadosing on certain vitamins.

Obviously, foods that stimulate activity should be reduced or eliminated from the diet. These include foods laden with sugar or caffeine, both stimulants that have been known to cause hyperactivity. Although researchers have found no reason to believe either is the cause of ADHD, there is little benefit from either sugar or caffeine beyond momentary stimulation, so getting rid of it can be beneficial.

Eliminating artificial colorings and other additives is trickier because they are found in many products and may not be listed on the label. Some researchers have red-flagged such common additives as FD&C Blue No. 1 and No. 2; FD&C Yellow No. 5 and No. 6; FD&C Green No. 3; Orange B; FD&C Red No. 3 and No. 40; and Citrus Red No. 2.

These can be found in a wide range of products, including toothpaste, vitamins, sports drinks, fruit drinks, barbecue sauce, canned fruits, hard candy, fruit-flavored cereals, gelatin powders, cake mixes and fruit snacks.

It's worth noting that about 30 percent of ADHD sufferers continue symptoms and behaviors into adulthood, and sufferers may also be more susceptible to other mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, substance abuse and potentially suicide. Thus, it is incumbent upon parents to monitor a child’s diet and include more fresh fruits, whole grains and other healthy foods while cutting back on sugar-laden treats and artificial colorings. At the least, your child will avoid ingesting foods that add little to nutrition and contribute to obesity. But cutting back may help in the fight to control ADHD symptoms.