dietary changes for adhd?

[popsycal]

Had a previous thread about suspecting ds1 may have adhd. AM seeing his teacher later this week.

But in the meantime, is there any evidence of dietary triggers? Willing to try anything before pursuing it further.

I remember years ago lots of stuff about orange coloured additives...

TIA

Yes, many children (with or without ADHD) are affected by their diet. That was an area we had to explore and alter when we first suspected our son had ADHD. I'm a bit of an expert at reading labels on food packaging these days. As well as giving Omega 3,6, & 9 supplements, I limit chocolate or sweets (literally to the weekends), he doesn't have any artificial flavours, preservatives or colours in meals or deserts. Absolutely no Aspartame or artificial sweeteners in squash, no fizzy drinks unless for a treat if we eat out. As many ADHD children have megga amounts of energy, I have also reduced stodgy carbs which seemed to 'fuel' it. My ds2 has a great appetite and loves different kinds of food, so a snack after school of Sushi or humous may not be up everyones street, but he loves it. I've just had to learn to vary his diet so I have more choice of feeding him the 'good stuff'. I appreciate this could be a mare if you have a fussy eater. This website is one of hundreds on ADHD, but I found it useful for dietry info and general info: www.hacsg.org.uk/

.... Also look at their video here : www.hacsg.org.uk/page24a.html It's a bit dated in places, but stay with it and you'll see there's a common ethos

thank you¬
did a bit of googling after I am going to have a real re-think about his diet
sweeteners - hadnt occured to me
will have a look at the links

If you have time, could you give me an example day of food?

Reallyappreciate this

Brekky: Porridge, Banana, Cereal (no additives), milk, diluted apple juice, smoothy, bacon sarny, boiled egg and buttered soldiers....

Lunch: Sarny (no processed meats) usually tuna, chicken, cheese. Soups - there are loads with no artificial ingredients, fruit, olives/humous ......

Dinner: All home made from scratch I'm afraid but my slow cooker has been one of the best kitchen items I've ever bought. It allows me to use all raw, natural ingredients and not have to spend ages preparing and cooking. ( I buy organic when possible, although this is an expensive option). Baked fish, potatoes, veg, although he's not a great fan of anything green Homemade currys & pastas (you can buy sauces with nothing nasty in them). Chicken with wholegrain rice and sweetcorn, stir fry. Tonight we're having spag bol, using a 'good' sauce.

M&S have worked with the Hyperactive Children's Society for a few years and a majority of their foods are additive free. Sainsbury's are similar and Tescos are 'getting there'. There is some research into eliminating foods that contain wheat, eggs and dairy from their diet to see if it helps. I haven't been brave or desperate enough to do this yet. Have you looked at the amount 'constructive' exercise he's getting? We've worked on that area too and it's made a difference for him. Hope this helps

Thanks so much

WIll check out sainsburys etc though i tend to make my own sauces

I think sweeteners are something I need to look at too.

Been looking online at omega oils
they seem to vary in price...any suggestions?

I have been considering a slow cooker too :)

and in terms of exercise...
1 hour of gym
1 hour of football
2 x 30 minutes swimming
plus more in summer

I use EyeQ strawberry chewables (although my ds won't chew cos they are a bit fishy) available at Tescos. I'd get a good quality supplement. Winter can be tricky for exercise, but sounds like he's doing enough. You can go over the top and they can get very tired. We also go to a climbing wall which helps him concentrate. Well done for making your own sauces, better than my effort!

PopsyCal - there's a whole book on Omega oil and ADHD. I just skimmed the conclusion chapter :) And it basically recommends one high in DHA, rather than one high in EHA.

I can't remember the name of the main one it recommends (starts with e but def not EyeQ).

As DD won't swallow stuff, I've just bought one from the internet which is liquid I can stir into her youghurt, is high in DHA, and comes from little fish like sardines.

Apparantly the ones from flaxseed etc aren't as good.

Indigo Is it 'Eskimo Kids" ? That's a liquid one which came highly recommended from our paed ... but ds2 won't take as oily and taste v.fishy

Thanks for this thread. I've been trying to find an Omega suplpement for my fussy eating son for ages, but lots of the easily available ones are very fishy (even in a yoghurt).

Will watch this thread with interest.

It was 'Efalex' and the book is the LCP solution

DS age 8 has adhd and we have seen good improvements with dietary changes.

He has been on a gf/cf diet (all healthy foods like Madamesin) for a few months now and we have seen great improvements in his behaviour. He is much calmer now and doesnt seem aggressive anymore. He also takes EyeQ Chewy strawberry capsules so these may also be helping.

At first I didnt think removing milk made much difference so we reinroduced it. Big mistake he spent the few days bouncing around and climbing the sofas none stop. Stopped milk again and he calmed down in a couple of days.

DD2 has borderline ADHD and she was hypersensitive to additives the worst one was MSG she's 15 now and has outgrown it.We cut all additives out of her diet at 7 as thats what we thought the problem was it helped but at 9 she was diagnosed ADHD.
With DS it doesn't make much difference the only thing he isn't allowed is caffiene and orange flavouring.

the fish oils I was recommended for dd1 were Nordic Naturals.

they come in a range of types (efa, dha, combinations) and flavours (we had lemon flavour, it was ok)

you can get capsules, liquids, chewables, etc.

excellent brand, very good quality.

Definitely a big improvement in DS with removal of artificial additives, food colourings. The only fizzy drink he could have was 7Up, (no nasties), but not checked recently. You have to become an avid label reader but it pays off in the end. DSs school report was like one from a different kid! Calmer, more concentration. I involved him and he also ended up checking labels!

day 1 of cutting out additives/sweeteners etc as far as we can
omega oils to be purchased too

eeeek
simply cant afford nordic naturals etc at the moment

can anyone recommend a budget one??

going to look up efalex and eyeq

Have you got a Holland & Barrett near you? they sell good quality supplements and many brands ... I'm sure they'd do something a bit cheaper. Otherwise, Bassetts Soft & Chewy come in Omega fish oils and you can get them in the supermarkets

popsycal: cutting out sweeteners/additives always a good move. don't be surpirsed if behaviours get temporarily worse in the short term - think of it as a withdrawal.

I haven't tried any other omega oils - have a search of the SN section inparticular on this. I know htere are a couple of brands that have triggered worse behaviours in children, but I can't remember which ones.

it's all to do with the quality of flavourings used, as well as the balance between omega 3 6 and 9.

do try to keep a log of behaviours once oyu start any changes, dietary or supplements. there is no point in carrying on with somehting if you are not seeing real changes.

thanks madamesin and silverfrog

I really appreciate your advice and support. Would be interested to know which make behaviour worse so will try to do a search. The diary is also a very good idea so will do that too!

:)

you're welcome

it is usually recommended to make one change at a time, too. I know it can be tempting to just change everyting all at once, but then if you do see improvement, it si impossible to tell why it ihas happened - is it due to the supplements, or down to improved diet?

remember, this is a long term change you are looking ot make, so as frustrating as it may seem now to wait a couple of weeks ot implement another change, in real terms (ie over the course of the next few years, or your ds' lifetime), it is not any time at all.

I think Bassetts Soft & Chewy don't have nearly enough Omega in them.

OK

Right so they need to be higher in DHA?
What sort of mg am I looking for - ds1 is 8 and a half. Or where can I find out?

sorry, popsy, I don't know.

I know what was recommended ofr dd1, but that was off the back of a comprehensive nutritional analysis.

we were warned ot not just give omega 3, but to balance out the omegas.

I gave dd1 evening primrose oil to even out her omega 6 intake, but again, this was recommended specifically for ehr after several tests.

have you read up on general diet and supplementation? I would have aread of a few books, adn see what you think after that, tbh. Natasha Campbell-McBrides book is very good.