We are in the process of having our 9yo tested for ADD. I am interested in anyone who has gone the nutrition direction as far as treatment. I am reading ADD Nutrition Solution and alot of what is talks about in the book makes sense to me. Please share your thoughts.

By Lauram on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 09:41 am:

It doesn't help my son (except avoiding caffeine and chocolate- but that's for his TOurette's- not his ADHD) but I have heard it is helpful for others. It's worth experimenting with.

By Cat on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 01:02 pm:

Diet doesn't effect my son, either, but it's always best to try everything you can. Some of the biggest offenders are dyes and preservitives, milk, caffeine, sugar, white flour, and believe it or not, there's something in some fruits and veggies (can't think of what it's called) that effects some kids. Those are the kids the Feingold diet will help. Like I said in another post, if it's true ADD/ADHD diet changes probably won't help much (mho). Good luck.

By Tink on Wednesday, September 22, 2004 - 09:53 pm:

We tried a dye-free and then a casein and gluten free diet when my son was first diagnosed with autism. I didn't see any difference, even though my son was supposedly exactly the type that would be helped by this. It made a lot of sense but it just didn't help and was very limiting to our whole family. Good luck, I hope it helps!

By Kaye on Thursday, September 23, 2004 - 07:51 am:

When my dd was little anything with corn syrup would set her off (she was just recently dx add). But we did notice that serval diet changes did help her behavior, no corn syrup and no soy is what worked best for her. We went with those because of some allery testing we had on her.

By Karen~moderator on Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 02:22 pm:

Check into the Feingold Association diet. It recommends foods that are dye and additive free and works extremely well for ADD/ADHD kids.

By Kim on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 12:15 am:

Kayla has horrible reactions to food with certain dyes in them. It makes her ADHD symptoms severe. I know she has allergies but dr will not approve her to be blood or skin tested. So far this year I have not used meds and I do restrict her diet. She still has her battles but her behaviour is much better. I think it totally depends on each child. Its good to check out though!

By Feonad on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 10:47 am:

Allergy doctor said that testing didn't really work with food. You have to either do an elimination diet or removel one things at a time.

Elimination diet is you remove most common allergians for two weeks. Then add one at a time to see if you have reaction.

By Mommmie on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 01:40 pm:

My ADHD/LD son is helped by eating protein in the morning before school. (Although he still must take his medication.) As a family we eat fairly good - foods in the natural state, organic foods, very little processed food, fresh foods. Chocolate makes my son wacky but it's not an allergy, but a reaction (according to the doctor). Caffeine calms him and I give him Coke with his medicine.

I have found that nutrition helps, but only a little bit. The way I describe it is nutrition takes him to 1st base and the medication takes him to 2nd and 3rd and having the right environment for him (school and home) takes him to home plate. So, it's a combination of factors as to what works.

By Cat on Friday, October 1, 2004 - 02:38 pm:

Laura, caffeine calms Robin, too. Funny, huh.

By Tink on Saturday, October 2, 2004 - 12:40 am:

ADHD and ADD both respond to stimulants, like caffeine or ephedra. My dh had a severe drug habit before I knew him and his drug of choice was methamphetamines. Since he has been diagnosed with ADD, his psychiatrist says that he believes that DH was self-medicating. His family and friends always say that DH was the most productive and normal drug addict on earth. Now he goes through 6-10 Pepsis each day and, while it costs us a fortune and is terrible for his teeth, I just thank goodness because it is legal! LOL I really like your baseball analogy, Laura. It makes perfect sense.

By Mommmie on Saturday, October 2, 2004 - 05:05 pm:

I'm always amused when what works is the exact opposite of what you *think* would work!