Studies reveal that artificial food colours, artificial flavors, simple sugars and sweeteners negatively affect attention, perception and memory features of ADHD children.
Protein-based nutrition of the child during the day increases the general alertness and attention level. Especially a breakfast with eggs and cheese should be preferred. It is not correct to include foods such as hazelnut cream, flavored and sugary milks, sugary fruit juices in the breakfast of a child with ADHD. These foods increase the child’s mobility and reduce the attention span.
In addition, foods such as pastries, croissants, and pastries that contain high fat delay the absorption of drugs used by the child for the treatment of ADHD. Thus, the attention-enhancing effects of drugs appear longer than expected. Drugs used by children with ADHD who are receiving treatment can cause tension, irritability and insomnia as side effects. These side effects can be reduced by increasing the amount of protein in the child’s diet. Consuming carbohydrate sources such as bread, rice, pasta from whole grain or wholegrain ones will also protect from sudden blood sugar level changes, thus increasing the continuity of attention. Consumption of Margarine, Sunflower Oil or Canola Oil is not recommended in the diet of children with ADHD. Instead of these oils, butter and olive oil should be used.
Consumption of oilseeds (nuts, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts) both increase attention span and help strengthen memory. It is especially valuable to consume oil seeds so that the learned information is not forgotten and placed in permanent memory. In addition, the side effects of the drugs taken by the child during the treatment of ADHD, such as serious weight loss, growth and developmental retardation, which worry their families, can be minimized by regular consumption of these oil seeds.
It is helpful to prepare dinner as a high carbohydrate meal. In this way, insomnia and hyperactivity complaints, which are common in children with ADHD, can be reduced. It is of great importance to include foods containing omega-3 (such as fish, almonds, walnuts, purslane, flaxseed) in the child’s nutrition list.
As can be understood from these recommendations, poor diet or eating habits alone do not cause Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Except for drug therapy and behavioral therapy techniques, only nutritional recommendations cannot be considered as an effective treatment method for ADHD. Only food groups that support treatment and reduce drug side effects can be beneficial.
