Dietary Changes?

[bluestocking]

What dietary alterations has anyone made to work with treating their ADD? What changes have you noticed?

Becky, you wrote in another post about limiting the dairy and red food dye for your DS who is ADHD. Do you do that, too?

I am doing an absolutely no sugar or wheat thing at the moment, and while it might be my imagination, I do find that I can focus better and accomplish more in the afternoon. Whereas before, I would float from noon to evening, and be unable to describe what I had done for the last several hours. It's a challenge to rid one's diet of high fructose corn syrup (it seems like it's in everything - including the bread I used to buy and the chicken stock I used), but I really do feel like it's been worth while. Of course, it might not be that I am treating the ADD, but rather, taking out things that just exacerbate the symptoms.

Thanks in advance!

[Poet]

Blue --

Here's an interesting thing -- my SO and I started following a wheat-free diet in January in response to some other health issues. We have also limited sugars/complex carbohydrates, and I would say that for me, I have increased my protein consumption, too.
We have incorporated a lot of olive oil and fish/seafood also, for the omega fats.

What we have both noticed is an overall feeling of better wellness, and for myself at least, seem to have a bit more focused mind and don't get that cloudy/groggy feeling so frequently in the afternoon. Overall, I feel like I have more energy and a sharper mind.

It is a challenge, but we have actually enjoyed searching out alternatives to the typical diet, and we both enjoy cooking. Good luck to you! Maybe we can swap recipes and such.

Poet ;D

[Becky]

I agree completely with the Omega 3's completely! Plus they are so good for many body functions, including your heart.

The red dye that is put in candy and medicine, like Benadryl, will make DS really hyperactive. I watch how much sugar he has overall, but dyes really add to it. Also, caffiene is forbidden for him. It does not bother me, as long as it is not right before bed, but he'll be up all night.

Some people I know are doing the Fiengold Diet. They say that is works wonders. It cuts out things like sylicylic (sp) acid, and pectin. I haven't tried it b/c most of the forbidden foods are one that my kids need so they would only be able to eat about 5 things!! That would not make me any friends....

I try to stay away from the carbs myself. They make me feel groggy and sluggish, but I LOVE them.

I bet it is making a difference for you to make the changes, and even if it is just a placebo effect, who cares? You feel better mentally and that is all that matters, right??

Becky

[xenophyla]

I have just been diagnosed with adult ADD (not completely convinced myself, however) and have been taking Methylin for four days now. I'm having second thoughts about the medication due to reaction and was thinking of trying the Fiengold diet that my daughter's allergist put her on for ADHD when she was a child.

I was skeptical of the diet having any effect but was more willing to try it than put her on drugs and was quite surprised at the profound and positive effect it had on her behavior. I was already feeding my family on an all-natural diet (no artificial flavors/colors/preservatives) so her reaction time was a lot quicker than the doctor had said it would be since she didn't have to eliminate all those chemicals from her system.

Trying to find nutritious and tasty meals/dishes for her was a challenge, but she was - at age 8 - aware enough of the difference it made in the way she felt if she went off her diet, that she once responded to an adult's offer of a piece of candy, "No thank you. I don't like the way I act when I eat that." Not bad!

Well, now I'm wondering if I should try the low-salicylate diet that worked for her. Anyone out there have any success with it as an adult?