by Shelly Mcrae

Created on: July 01, 2009   Last Updated: July 03, 2009

Children with ADHD can be exasperating, and they in turn are exasperated. Can something as simple as changing their diet help them to slow it down, to focus on the tasks at hand, to stop racing toward the next moment?

Dr. Robin Pauc, author of The Brain Food Plan, believes that good nutrition is key to a healthy brain and body. While this may not seem a revolutionary idea, Dr. Pauc has directed his research of the effects of diet on children with cognitive disabilities, such as ADHD. One common factor he found in the children was their high intake of processed foods.

Fast foods, frozen dinners high in bad fats and salt, packaged meats and cheeses, commercial white breads, soda, commercial candies, cookies, and salted snacks are all processed foods. For someone whose brain does not have processing issues, these foods are merely bad for him or her. But for a child with ADHD, the artificial flavors and preservatives can exacerbate the condition.

The first point Dr. Pauc makes in his book is to eliminate processed foods and those from fast food restaurants. Not only is the condition aggravated by the synthetic contents of these foods, the lack of nutritional value causes harm.

The second point is eliminating processed sugars. The conversion rate of sugar to energy is fast and high. People get sugar rushes from sugary foods. For the child with ADHD, the conversion simply revs up an already hyperactive metabolism.

Eliminating processed foods and sugar is the first step to adapting a diet to aid in controlling ADHD.

What a child with ADHD does need in his or her diet are amino acids, healthy fats including omega 3 and omega 6, fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, and water.

Amino acids are found in protein rich foods such as lean beef and chicken, eggs, avocados and cherries, beans and nuts.

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are necessary for cell growth and a regulated metabolism. Monounsaturated fats can be found in cooking oils such as canola oil, sunflower oil, and sesame oil. Polyunsaturated fats can be found in olive oil, soybean and corn oil, and in fatty fish.

Fish is an important part of the diet for children with ADHD. Fish supplies an array of polyunsaturated fats, including omega 3 and omega 6 oils. The omegas go directly to enhancing cognitive functions, among other things. Fish, though, isn't often well-liked by children. There are omega supplements available for children and these should be included in the diet.

Supplements can help a great deal in aiding the ADHD child. A sugar free, preservative free multi-vitamin taken daily not only provides needed vitamins and minerals, it aids in regulating the metabolism.

Along with protein, healthy fats and supplements, the diet should include generous helpings of fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grain foods such as multi-grain breads.

Avoid processed fruit juices and soda. At meals and snacks include fresh water for drinking. For an alternative, sugar free fruit drinks made from concentrate may used sparingly.

The parents of an ADHD child need to provide meals cooked from scratch. Eliminating all preservatives, artificial flavorings, and sugars can be difficult, but it can also lead to a healthier child. Once the nutritional diet is employed, the child's body and brain begin to process the nutritional substances properly, leading to improved cognitive functions and a regulated metabolism.

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