Before identifying specific ingredients and food to avoid for ADHD patients, it is necessary to understand the relation between food sensitivity and a food allergy. Those with a food allergy typically suffer from a histamine reaction to a substance with the body reacting from this flood. In those with a sensitivity to a specific food or ingredient, the specific symptoms are isolated are do not rise to a life-threatening event. The confusion comes into play with the fact that the body is a homeostatic system and thus when one system is under stress, this causes stress in other, seemingly unrelated systems. This is how food related sensitivity can influence and even enhance symptoms that occur with spectrum disorders.
Diet Regulation
Reducing exposure to potential enhancers to the symptoms of ADHD require some trial and error as well as consultation with a treatment provider to properly determine the specific options that are most effective for each patient. That being said, there is some ingredients and food to avoid for ADHD patients that are well known to have the potential to create problems for those who suffer from ADHD. These include but are not limited to;
- Foods Containing Large Amounts of Artificial Colors
- High Caloric Snack Food and Drinks With or Without AFCs
- Milk Based Products
- Wheat Products
- Cocoa Products
- Some Corn and Egg-Based Products
However, since some of the aforementioned ingredients also convey nutritional elements before attempting to eliminate them from the diet, a treatment provider should be consulted and elimination occurs under supervision. Additionally, some products and foods will have higher ratios of specific ingredients, therefore it is possible for brand or product to produce a result while a separate brand or similar food show no effect at all. While not specifically mentioned, Gluten is also known to be among the ingredients and food to avoid for ADHD patients.
Diet Treatment Effectiveness
Another important consideration concerning ingredients and food to avoid for ADHD patients is that often using diet treatment alone is not sufficient in all cases. Other treatment options have been employed with great success with the ADHD population, as well as dietary restrictions. Therefore, diet regulation is often used in conjunction with other treatment options to reduce the symptoms of ADHD and ADD as well as promote long-term positive effects. Also, depending on the specific circumstances such as age and more, dietary alterations can occur throughout the various treatments to either maintain or promote the effects of the other treatment options.
Dealing the symptoms of ADD and ADHD can take a toll on your quality of life and taking a dietary approach to improving your symptoms can lead to a better situation for you and those around you. It is crucial that you discuss with a treatment provider all the options available to you so that you get reduce the impact these spectrum disorders have on your life and your well-being. There are many treatment options available that, while not a cure, can help you get your life back on the track you desire.