Dairy product!!!

[msatter]

Which Milk is better for ADHD child can anyone please let me know?

Whole Milk vs Lactose Free Milk or Almond Milk.

[KarenADHDWeekly Partner]

Hi Msatter,

If you're concerned that your child has a dairy allergy, go talk to the pediatrician, who can do a simple test to find out. If there is an allergy, low or no-sugar added almond and coconut milks can be a delicious alternative.

If there is no allergy, dairy milk won't have an impact on ADHD symptoms. Most dietitians and doctors will suggest whole milk for very young children and 1 or 2 percent milk for most children. Your child's doctor can help you decide which is best for your child.

I hope that helps!

Karen

The National Resource Center on ADHD

[msatter in reply to KarenADHDWeekly]

Thanks Karen for your quick response. I was watching some online videos about ADHD help and found that some of them suggested cut dairy product from the food menu in order to get better with ADHD symptoms. Also some videos suggested go for non dairy products to help with ADHD. Please advice on that. I am confused now.

[christelferrer in reply to msatter]

I believe what you are referring to is the elimination diet. But it is more than dairy that you will have to cut to see the impact.

I am no expert when it comes to it but my understanding is the following:

You cut dairy, sugar, flour/wheat/gluten, all peanut products, eggs, etc (please check the list with a pediatrician) and wait for a few weeks. Then re-introduce each one slowly one by one and observe/note effects to see if any triggers adhd.

Personally, unless there is a real intolerance or allergy I would use common sense only.

Sugar/soda/dyies are obviously bad but for the rest, it is all about eating balanced diet rich in protein, omega 3 and fiber.

From experience, adjusting the diet only does not work. It is slightly better but it is the combo of meds/therapy/sports/positive parenting/good diet and more that will change things.

I hope this helps.

[msatter in reply to christelferrer]

Thanks christelferrer for your advice.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to christelferrer]

We had to do a elimination diet with our son for other medical issues and it was not good at all. We had to start reintroducing things and it made no difference on his ADHD. I agree: medication, exercise, thearpy and educational plan work best.

It is very hard with so much bad information on the internet, hope our advice helps.

[ElinaK35 in reply to msatter]

I absolutely agree with "chirstelferrer", of course a balanced diet is beneficial, for everyone not just ADHD children but the best treatment we have for ADHD symptoms right now is medication. I listened to seminars by scientists whose life is studying ADHD and it is unanimous that it has nothing to do with food or having vaccinations and so on... it is genetic. We use medication for both of our ADHD kids (one of our kids refuses to eat most foods so adjusting his diet is impossible), plus one sees a therapist and we incorporate sports for both and use certain natural oils and vitamins in addition as well. Good luck to you!

[msatter in reply to ElinaK35]

Thanks ElinaK35.

[acresho1 in reply to ElinaK35]

I disagree that medication is the best treatment. Food and diet without a doubt have an impact. You should really better educate yourself on the long term impact of medication as well as better options.

[KarenADHDWeekly Partner in reply to msatter]

Hi MSatter,

I'm sorry for the confusion you're feeling! There are a lot of people who are looking to foods to treat ADHD symptoms. Unless a persona has an allergy or a sensitivity to a food or an ingredient, eliminating it will not affect symptoms.

I understand your concern. Give your child's doctor a call and share what you have been reading with her. If the doctor agrees, schedule an allergy test to find out if you need to incorporate a modified diet for your son. The doctor is going to advise you better than any video online.

Christelferrer does describe how to do an elimination diet below very well, which is a step the doctor may ask you to take. A food journal is part of that, too.

Keep in mind that if there is a food allergy or sensitivity, *that* is what you are addressing -- not ADHD. Sometime a reaction to a food or an ingredient can make ADHD symptoms appear to be worse, so certainly treating the allergy is a good step to take.

Short answer: You've got good questions. Call your child's doctor and discuss the option for an allergy test.

Best regards,

Karen

The National Resource Center on ADHD

[msatter in reply to KarenADHDWeekly]

Thanks Karen for your advice.

[Momof4blessings]

My four year old son has ADHD, and I have seen a significant difference in his behavior when he has dairy. We've taken him off all dairy, and his eyes don't look as tired all the time, and his tantrums and meltdowns are far less. I've heard that people who don't tolerate dairy, often can't tolerate gluten as well, so I'm considering cutting out gluten for a week or two and just see what happens.

The tricky thing is when dairy is hiding in things that you wouldn't expect, like a protein bar with whey protein. And it takes 3-5 days or so for my son to calm down after one small bit of dairy.

Keeping a behavior and food journal can really help you see what's going on. It can be hard in the moment to really see. This son is my third child with ADHD, and we've tried diets for the older two that didn't help in the least -- taking out artificial sweeteners, colors, and a long list of other items. Dairy and gluten are the only ones that seem to make a difference in our home.

Good luck!!!

[msatter in reply to Momof4blessings]

Thanks a lot!

[Ree328 in reply to Momof4blessings]

I have an 18 month old that has been showing adhd symptoms and I know it's too early to diagnose but I have 3 other kids so I can tell a difference in learning and behavior. He has trouble sleeping and staying asleep. I eliminated dairy before bed and seen great results. We have been working with help me grow which is a early learning specialist she suggested that we do away with dairy completely. He has had no dairy for 3 weeks and I have seen drastic improvement in his learning and focus. Casein protein can affect the brain in different ways in some people it has an opiate like affect that actually causes addictive behavior symptoms hyper activity and brain fog. Since I've seen these results I also checked into gluten free as well. I have talked with a nutritionist to make sure we are getting all the nutrients he needs in his diet. It is hard work daily meal preping but it's worth the time.

[Onthemove1971 in reply to Ree328]

Another thought is your child does not have ADHD.

Studies show diet does little to decrease the symptoms of ADHD.

Only a doctor should give you advice to eliminate dairy.

Here is only thing I have found:

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) reviewed the scientific literature and published a review in 2009 found no identifiable relationship between chronic diseases and drinking milk with the A1 protein.

Not sure where the studies are you are speaking of.

Wish you the best.

[ShanEWils]

I may be way behind on responding to this however, my little girl absolutely loves unsweetened vanilla almond milk and regular 2% milk. I don't really notice a difference with her on the either but I do know that the vanilla almond milk makes better strawberry milk and regular 2% makes better chocolate milk for her LOL