Natural approaches to ADD/ADHD

There are many natural approaches that can be taken if your child is diagnosed with ADD or ADHD. Often, a comprehensive approach that involves nutrition, supplementation, proper schooling and discipline works best. The following are the top five natural food tips that are helpful when addressing ADD:

1. Check for food allergies: It is not uncommon for a child’s behavior to be affected by food allergies. The most common food allergies are dairy, wheat, citrus, eggs, chocolate and soy. Detecting a food allergy in a child can often feel like finding a needle in a haystack. You can use an elimination diet to determine which food your child may be sensitive to. Eliminate suspected foods one by one for a two-week period to clearly identify the food culprit. It is best to start an elimination diet with dairy as it is the most common food allergy.

2. Eliminate food coloring: Food coloring is often used in candy, cupcakes and other baked goods to enhance the visual appeal of these foods. Food coloring falls into the anti-nutrient category, meaning they have zero nutritional value and can be hazardous to health. Of all the food dyes, tartrazine (yellow #5) is one of the most problematic in children.

3. Supplement with high quality fish oil (omega-3): Fish oil contains an essential fat called omega-3 essential fat. Research shows that children who suffer from ADD/ADHD are deficient in omega-3 and its derivative, DHA.

It also appears that boys require more omega-3 than girls, which may be one of the reasons boys are diagnosed with ADD more often than girls. Fish oils are now available in flavors including butterscotch and lemon for children. Click here for Health Canada recommendations for omega-3 intake.

4. Eliminate pop and sugary juices: Sugar can exacerbate a child’s behavior by causing unnatural surges in blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, soda is the preferred beverage of many children. Unbeknownst to most parents, the average can of pop contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar! Start by not allowing pop into your home and substituting fresh clean water or natural juice that has been diluted with water.

5. Ensure your child takes a high quality multivitamin: Research clearly shows that supplementing a child’s diet with a multivitamin improves school performance. Multivitamins should be taken with food so fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E and K can be properly absorbed. It is important to remember that a multivitamin is a nutritional booster, not a replacement for a healthy diet.

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