Foods to avoid for ADHD....

[mahi9314]

Good Afternoon to everyone. I am new to this site. Is there anyone here can help me out to let me know a lists of foods to avoid for ADHD and good foods to have. By the way my son is 26 months old.

[christelferrer]

Pinterest has tons of pins related.

Overall I would suggest eating only whole foods, well balanced with extra omega 3 (salmon, cod, etc or Kids supplement), lots of green, and avoid all processed especially red dyes, sugar (even when sold as “healthy”—think sugary granola), don’t overdo dairy as lactose is a sugar, Breads/pasta/rice/crackers etc are sugar too (flours are converted as sugar when digested). Sweet potatoes, butternut are way better. And if you want to make cookies, breads, almond flour, oat flour, or else instead of white one.

It is difficult to follow as we all know how busy our life with kids is but if you incorporate some, it will help a little.

[mahi9314 in reply to christelferrer]

Thank you so much for your advice. My son is 26 months old. He is watching TV a lot? Do you know is that can cause him more problems with ADHD? He is also taking Pediasure. How safe to take Pediasure for ADHD? Please advice.

[christelferrer in reply to mahi9314]

Oh yes, you want to limit the time.

I never leave my son more than 1 hour at a time. Max 2 hours a day during the weekend. Otherwise it makes his symptoms worse. I completely forbid tablets and iPhones. They were real source of fight. ADHD brains get dependent on electronics so you want to be careful.

Pediasure: I was thinking of complementing with it as my son is very picky but this is overloaded with hidden sugar disguised as a healthy supplement. Stay away and let your child eat as much of the good things he likes. Give choices, that works. For example: uncurled ham/chicken or beef. Broccoli/ green beans/ salad. Etc. Then build from it. I teach my son what is a balanced diet and he picks stuff from each group (protein, greens/fruit/ carbohydrate/grain, dairy (1 per meal) etc). It works as he thinks he is in charge.

[mahi9314 in reply to christelferrer]

Thanks Christelferrer.

[katcald]

I totally agree with Christel. I wish I could do it over -- I would feed my children differently when they were young.

Unfortunately, the typical "kid foods" are not always the best for our children.

Limit packaged foods -- they are high in salt, sugar, preservatives, additives and artificial colors (food dyes are the WORST for kids) Do NOT buy flavored yogurts -- buy plan and flavor yourself with fresh fruit.

Feed them fresh fruits and vegetables. Roast vegetables (like broccoli) and kids are more likely to eat them.

Carrots or celery and hummus are a great food (instead of ranch, but if they must have ranch get them a good quality one or make it yourself)

Get a spiralizer (small one is just $10 at Walmart) and spiralize zucchini in to noodles instead of giving them pasta. (It gets more veggies in them and less pasta) Serve with tomato sauce (homemade is best, or check labels for added sugars)

TWO NO SUGAR ADDED TREATS: Slice a ripe banana. Freeze. process in food processor until the consistency of soft icecream (may have to add a little milk or water) DELISHIOUS

freeze a can of pineapple juice (no sugar added) when you open the can you will have a pineapple slushy.

The above will help any child. For awhile I had my ADHD son on a gluten/dairy free diet (with Omega 3 supplements) and it really helped him.

Good luck!

[mahi9314 in reply to katcald]

Thank you so much for your advice. My son is 26 months old. He is watching TV a lot? Do you know is that can cause him more problems with ADHD? He is also taking Pediasure. How safe to take Pediasure for ADHD? Please advice.