When choosing an ADHD diet for children these are incredibly important things to keep in mind.
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Being an ADHD mom has meant a lot of trail and error in our lives. Every child with ADHD is different and the way that you treat it will be different. This is what has helped us whenever it comes to eating and I hope it helps you in your ADHD journey, too.
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Foods to Avoid When Choosing an ADHD Diet for Children
Two weeks ago, I shared the story of what we’ve been dealing with behind the scenes (meaning I hadn’t yet shared on the blog or via social media at all) this fall. Branden’s ADHD journey has been (what seems) a long one and we are all finally adjusted and have a routine that’s working for our family so far.
There has been a lot for us all to learn about living with ADHD and I honestly had no clue how much or that and ADHD diet for kids was important. I grew up with my younger sister having ADHD and my mom always saying that certain things like too much sugar or red food dye played a really huge impact in the way she acted on a daily basis. But things were a little bit different with Branden and he wasn’t quite as affected as my sister with certain foods, however, there were some changes we needed to make with his diet and the timing of when he’s eating.
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ADHD Diet For Kids
Okay, first and foremost mamas, I am just a mom like you. I don’t have a medical degree and I don’t claim to. However, I have found over the years some of my best information and research comes from talking to my mom pals and doctors, too. So sharing what we’ve learned so far through my own trial and error, research and experience with our therapist and pediatrician is important to me because my goal is always to help a mama out.
Second, we have chosen to go the medication route with Branden’s type of ADHD (combined type) and it’s worked wonders for him, but I don’t expect every parent to agree with that, and that’s okay. I think that if you choose to forego medication, it makes your ADHD diet for kids even more important to pay attention to because there are so many foods that can trigger different ADHD behaviors.
Foods to Avoid in Your ADHD Diet for Children
I have found through this journey that Understood.org is a really great resource to help parents navigate through ADHD. First and foremost, the reality of choosing an ADHD diet for kids is that there is no proven “cure” to help with ADHD and this is something experts have looked into for years. Right now whenever it comes to diet vs. ADHD, its all theory.
What we do now:
They do outline that, “There’s no evidence that kids with ADHD are lacking in vitamins and minerals in their blood. If a child does have deficiencies, supplements may correct that issue. But research doesn’t show that this will impact ADHD symptoms. There’s also no solid research showing that herbal supplements can treat ADHD. The most effective treatment for ADHD is still prescription medication. At the same time, research has shown that some kids with ADHD have low levels of omega fatty acids. These fatty acids help with brain function. When study participants with ADHD were given omega supplements (like fish oil), a small improvement in symptoms was seen in them.”
Eliminating sugar
I always say that sugar is the root of all evil. It’s an addiction and just bad for us all. Eliminating sugar is a really wonderful thing whether you have ADHD or not. I have a full post on easy ways to eliminate sugar.
Adding in omegas
You can add omegas through supplements like fish oil, or by adding more salmon to your diet. I know it’s not the easiest thing to get kids to eat, but I have a great kid-friendly recipe here that kids will love.
Overall the best diet is…
A healthy diet overall…and one that works across the board with ADHD or not. We’re talking lean meats, low sugar, lots of veggies and very few processed foods. And keeping kids active is key, too.
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Our ADHD Food Routine
For Branden, he has very little of an appetite during mid-day due to his medication. So he wakes up and has something like toast with peanut butter and a banana with a big glass of juice. Then, he gets his medicine with a scoop of applesauce. He buys lunch a few times a week at school, but most days he’s not hungry enough and will just drink water during lunch. Whenever he gets home, he’s still not hungry until 5 pm or so whenever the medicine is out my his system so we make sure that his diet consists of both a hearty dinner and snack before bed. You roll with the punches thrown at you and sometimes that means altering when your child is eating, and that’s okay.
Looking for more healthy living tips? Here are my favorites!
- How to Get Kids to Eat Healthy Foods
- 9 Healthy Breakfast Recipes to Kickstart Your Day
- 14 Healthy and Quick Meals Kids Will Love
- Our Journey With ADHD
- Helping Children Overcome Fears
- How to Get More Energy
I hope that this ADHD diet for kids post has helped you to navigate some of the things you have been experiencing in your daily life and confirmed some key points about diets that will help you and your family navigate your everyday. PLEASE don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or comments and if you have an ADHD topic you would like me to write about, I would love to share.
XOXO,
Allison
Great tips. My two sons are now both on medication and we have a lot of other dietary factors mixed in (my oldest’s Type 1 Diabetes and low carb is the best for him., my little guy just refuses to eat certain foods, my daughter is a pescatarian, I am just getting over Gallbladder surgery..). I do try to do no added sugar, but I’m just overwhelmed. The medicine that my boys are on doesn’t inhibit appetite, but we may be adding one that does. Basically, I’m glad you wrote this and I think I need to add more supplements. I already give my youngest fish oil and it really does help, but I haven’t done that with my older one yet.
Oh I’m so glad that you benefitted from this Nancy! I know you have a lot of different diets that you are juggling and that so hard (you are a rockstar!). It’s hard with the medicines that keep them from wanting to eat because in our experience we have to explain to everyone at school “no, he’s not anorexic, just on medicine” and it’s hard for him to sit there while everyone chows down. But you manage and everyone learns as they go. Keep me updated on everything mama!