Feeding Your Child with AD/HD
 
All children need healthful diets to learn and feel their best. It is important that children with AD/HD eat a well-balanced diet. However, because of behaviors and medications, it may be difficult for them to eat right.

Children with AD/HD don't always pay attention to their own body signals for hunger, rest, or need to use the toilet. Even when they do, they often don't sit still long enough to finish the job! They may eat just enough to "take the edge off" before they are off to do something else. Because of their high activity level and need for calories they may crave sweets to meet their energy needs. Medication often decreases the appetite during the daytime.

What can you do to help?

  • Give your child 3 regular meals.
    He/she should be seated at a table with the family rather than in front of the TV or wandering around the house.
  • Offer a variety of health foods.
    Let him/her choose what and how much to eat.
    Give milk to drink and fruit for dessert.
  • Make healthful snacks part of your diet plan.
    Midmorning and afternoon snacks of fresh or dried fruit, graham crackers, popcorn of juice will supply calories and vitamins.
  • An evening or bedtime snack may be really important since medication effects will usually have worn off by then.
    A protein snack such as peanut butter or meat sandwich, yogurt, cheese, nuts, milk and cereal or a milkshake are some good choices.
  • Increase your child's interest in meals.
    Include him/her in the planning or preparation.
  • Save sweets and other "junk foods" for occasional use.
    It is best not to have them in the house on a regular basis.
  • Give stimulant medication with milk or after meals.
  • If your child continues to be a very picky eater, check with your nurse, doctor, or dietitian about the need for multivitamins or other supplements.
What about sugar, food additives and food allergies?
Many parents wonder about the effects of food additives, sugar or food allergies. There is no clear link between specific foods and learning or behavior problems. Most (95-98%) of children with AD/HD show no difference in behavior with elimination of sugar, food additives or specific foods. A few (2-5%) who did show some improvement on special diets were better but not normal in terms of their activity level (49). Remember, high sugar foods tend to be given in fun, unstructured environments (parties, company, restaurants). Is it the sugar or the environment which is affecting your child's behavior?

If you feel your child is more active or behavior is worse after eating certain foods, simply eliminate those foods for at least two weeks to see if it makes a difference. If your child has allergic symptoms such as hayfever or asthma, it may be helpful to talk with your nurse or doctor about foods that might be making these symptoms worse.

Again, we know that good nutrition does make a difference in learning and behavior. Your energy and money is best spent in providing a varied and healthful diet. If you need more information on healthy diets for children, ask your nurse, doctor, or dietitian.

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Courtesy of Sandra P. Hellerman RN ,MSN ,CPNP University of Virginia Health System