Is There A Type Of Diet For Children With ADHD?
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD affects behavior and interferes with the child’s intellectual performance; It can also present symptoms such as sleep disorders, depression and relationship problems among others.
In the treatment of ADHD, diet can play an important role, as it can help reduce symptoms.
BENEFICIAL FOODS
Choose a natural and healthy diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables, natural whole grains, organic meats and dairy products, legumes, whole grains, and nuts. Supplements, such as essential fatty acids, vitamins B, C, D, and E, minerals such as magnesium, iron, and zinc, and coenzyme Q 10, essential for maintaining healthy brain function.
Diet can be an important factor in the treatment of ADHD, which is why healthy organic foods are advisable, that is, those that do not have additives or contaminants.
Specialists usually indicate that children with ADHD take an Omega-3 supplement, since it affects brain function; which are taken in the form of fish oil capsules. You can find Omega-3 in oily fish; yolk; fruits, such as pineapple and strawberries; seaweed; dried fruits, such as almonds and walnuts; vegetables, such as cucumber, cabbages, Brussels sprouts, spinach, soybeans and lettuce among others, and especially flax seeds.
Increase dietary fiber to maintain blood sugar levels; choose whole grains, vegetables, and legumes.
The protein – rich foods can also stabilize glucose levels, such as chicken, milk, cheese, eggs, whole grains and yogurt.
HARMFUL FOODS
Avoid additives, dyes, and foods with pesticides, which can affect your child’s concentration and increase hyperactivity in some children.
It is very important to limit processed and precooked foods, as they are full of preservatives and artificial colors, which can negatively affect a child with ADHD; It is also good to avoid hydrogenated fats, trans, fried or processed meats, which must be eliminated.
It is advisable to eliminate from the diet, foods that contain brown sugar, corn syrup, glucose, dextrose, fructose and galactose, and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame.
Many children with this disorder have gluten sensitivity, so it may also be advisable to avoid foods made from wheat, barley, rye and oats, or that have traces of them.
In conclusion
A balanced diet should be a requirement for any child ; but even more so when we talk about children with some type of disorder or special need, such as a child with ADHD.
It is important that these children have an organized meal schedule, as well as a balanced and varied menu. You have to watch out that children eat and hydrate properly. Sometimes, the medication causes a decrease in appetite that must be controlled as well. However, the best thing to do is consult with your doctor about the best options for your child, since a diet alone will not work as a treatment for ADHD.
Maricela Jimenez Lopez
Graduated from the National Autonomous University of Mexico in 2012 (specialty: surgeon). He has a specialty in General Surgery, granted by the Hospital Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI of the Mexican Institute of Social Security in 2016. Later, he did a stay in Hepatobiliopancreatic Surgery at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona and a Master’s Degree in Research in Translational Medicine at the University Complutense de Madrid (UCM). He has participated in national and international conferences and has taken several courses related to the medical area. He is certified in general surgery, digestive, liver and pancreatic diseases. He has done research in medical education. During his career he has presented papers and posters at international conferences and published research articles in Mexican and international scientific journals. He has professional experience of more than 5 years in public and private medicine, as well as in basic and clinical research. In addition, she has teaching experience as a university professor.
