Are you on the lookout for a diet that can help children with behavior and learning problems like ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)? Consider the Feingold Diet. This is a dietary approach to help children with these problems. It was developed in the 1970s by Dr. Benjamin Feingold who was a pediatrician and allergist. He argued that these problems can be caused by additives and preservatives found in foods and that symptoms can be eliminated by changing the diet of a child (1). If your child has ADD or ADHD, you can give the Feingold Diet a try.
The Feingold Diet is based on the hypothesis that sensitivities or allergic reactions to certain food types contribute to or cause symptoms of ADD or ADHD, including problems with:
Dr, Feingold made this argument in his book ‘Why Your Child Is Hyperactive.’(2) Although not enough studies have been conducted to gain support for this theory, there has been research that suggests that certain food dyes can cause approximately 1 percent of people with ADHD to become hyper for an hour or so after being consumed. Red dye is especially known to have this effect. If a person with ADHD has this sensitivity, they obviously need to avoid it.
The Feingold Diet Program was initially developed by Dr. Feingold to help a patient who suffered from a severe case of hives. Later, it was found that the diet helped immensely in improving the behavior of children who suffered from hyperactivity. Over the years, reports have been received by the Feingold Association of the United States (FAUS) from members about a vast range of problems that have either been resolved or improved when the diet was followed (3).
Parents often ask whether the Feingold Diet can also help children who do not have ADHD. Experts say that it can. The diet was originally developed for the treatment of eczema and asthma. Its effect on behavior was more of an accidental discovery in the 1960s when the everyday diet in America had become highly saturated with food dyes and a range of other food additives.
According to FAUS, the diet is of immense help for people with eczema, asthma, migraines as well as ADHD or behavior problems. People with symptoms of ADHD are also known to have other frequent physical problems such as:
Sleep problems include:
The behavior problems that can be addressed by following the Feingold Diet Program fall under 4 groups. They are:
Marked Hyperactivity:
Impulsive Actions:
Compulsive Actions:
Emotional Concerns:
Learning problems fall into 3 categories that are as follows:
Neuro-Muscular Involvement:
Cognitive And Perceptual Disturbances:
Short Attention Span:
It is a fact that these symptoms are experienced by everyone once in a while. However, their frequency and intensity indicate whether they are a sign of an abnormal condition. Medications are often prescribed to people who experience these symptoms, and it is important to have the supervision of a physician when they are changed. Although following the diet can be successful and make medications unnecessary, it is best not to stop them on your own.
If any of the symptoms mentioned above appear without warning or if they are very intense, experts recommend consulting a doctor. This is because it may be a sign or symptom of some other condition that is more serious. If your health care provider deems it fit to follow the Feingold Diet along with medications, you can go ahead and follow the program.
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