What is an ADHD diet?

11/01/2023 by Support team
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What is an ADHD Diet?

Having a healthy, balanced diet is important to have a happy and healthy life. A healthy diet can provide an effective complementary approach to alleviating some symptoms of ADHD. Ideally, your eating habits would help the brain work better and lessen symptoms, such as restlessness or lack of focus. The link between diet & autism has long been investigated, with some parents of autistic children firmly believing that the symptoms were alleviated by a certain diet.

But what’s the truth? Are there actually any objective measures to support the claim?

Nutrition is a tough topic when it comes to autism. There are so many different diets, protocols and recommendations that often leave parents or autistic adults feeling overwhelmed. Children with autism may limit their food intake or have food preferences. Many children with autism also have gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation, diarrhea or abdominal pain. As a result, children with autism are sometimes low in certain nutrients. Some of these nutrients have been studied to see if giving children supplements of these nutrients may help with autism symptoms. However, more research is needed. Before giving your child any supplements, speak with your child’s dietitian or health care provider first.

The following food elements can be avoided:

  • Dairy: When casein (one of the proteins in dairy) mixes with stomach acid, it produces something called an exorphin. Exorphins bind to the opioid receptor sites and can result in a myriad of troubles – brain fog, spaciness, inability to concentrate, and a numbness to pain.
  • Gluten: A mixture of proteins found in grains such as wheat, barley, and rye, gluten can increase inflammation when ingested. In fact, your body can create antibodies to gluten which can fire up, or inflame, your brain.
  • Corn: There is simply nothing truly beneficial and many potentially harmful things that can come from eating corn.
  • Sugar: Avoiding sugar and refined carbohydrates and increasing lean protein can dramatically improve concentration and judgment, and decrease impulsiveness.
  • Artificial Ingredients: Avoid all additives, preservatives, dyes and artificial colours, artificial flavourings, and artificial sweeteners.

Food Items to consider

  • Milk Substitutes: Be sure the container states the product is casein-free, not just dairy-free.
  • Gluten-free Bread: These breads are made from rice or tapioca flour. The taste and texture are different from regular bread.
  • Cheese Substitutes: Check the ingredient list before purchasing any alternative cheese, as some brands that are labelled “dairy-free” may still contain the casein protein.
  • Meat: Pre-packaged or frozen meat may contain spices that are not gluten-free, so it’s important to check the list of ingredients.
  • Produce: Fresh fruit and vegetables are usually safe choices for gluten/casein-free foods.

At Jeevaniyam, with the help of the expert team of doctors, therapists and dietitians we find out the symptoms of ADHD at a very young age and help them achieve a social smile by integrating Ayurvedic protocols and dietary intervention in a scientific way.

 

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