Foods to Avoid With Your ADHD Child

 

Sugar is an ADHD child's downfall because it robs the body of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes and increases hyperactivity by preventing blood sugar levels from remaining stable.

 

It doesn't matter if you use refined white sugar or rich dark molasses—all sugars are created equal when it comes to their negative effect on the ADHD child. There may be slight nutritional benefits to some sugars: Sucanat, for example, is pressed cane juice that leaves the fiber behind, so you get the minerals from the plant. Also, honey offers pollen that helps with allergies, molasses contains trace minerals and iron, and agave metabolizes more slowly. Still, you should curb your child's sugar intake and get savvy to hidden sugars in foods such as breakfast cereals, energy bars, sweetened drinks, soy milk and other foods. For example, did you know that a serving of flavored yogurt might contain as much sugar as a serving of ice cream? When looking at a label, along with the obvious "sugar" tag, avoid all artificial sweeteners and foods that contain corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, sucrose, dextrose and fructose.