There are so  many questions I receive about ADHD that relate to diet, so I have written a comprehensive article about it in the articles section of HETwebsite. There are 3 main ways to address diet:

Through eliminating additives:- colourings (e.g. tartrazine), preservatives (e.g. sodium benzoate,) flavour enhancers (e.g. Monosodium glutamate)  and artificial sweeteners (e.g. aspartame). Children with behavioural problems often have a sensitivity, intolerance or even allergy to these additives which can create a behavioural reaction. I have included a video:

 (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skm1U2IzMC0) to show you how to test for this.

Also I have published articles on here with reference to the nutritional support programme which I have researched over 10 years and can recommend from the results they have achieved.

Thirdly, it is so important to look at our buying habits for the foods we eat. Again I have published articles on how ‘junk food’ and by this I am referring to all the over processed food which has lost sight of any natural healthy goodness and nutritional value.

In my work with families over the years, in most cases it proved to be the case that not only were they failing to maintain the ‘5 a day’  fruit and veg recommendations but they have very little else to eat throughout the day of any natural goodness.

You know people of an earlier generation often say that food doesn’t taste the same as when they were younger and they are right – It isn’t the same!

So in bringing this in to line with a natural and outdoor curriculum for families to enjoy together and through  which the ADHD child can succeed and reach their potential, I developed a number of approaches to help children and families start to eat better food:

·         Source local food suppliers and go out to collect local produce together

·         Cook and plan a food for the family (play the Rainbow game in Stepping stone 4) – Freeze enough for the week if time is short! As a busy working Mom – I can understand that one!

·         Collect pictures of as many different foods as possible – go on an internet treasure food hunt!

·         Divide them into what you think are healthy and unhealthy foods – see if you have got it right!

·         Using the healthy foods put them into the 7 colours of the rainbow – this represents a complete spectrum to help the body make the full range of healthy vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy.

·         Choose seeds for each colour and give them to  a group of 7 children who are friends or families – get them growing – research the growing conditions – window sills, cold frames and mini garden tunnels are great opportunities to extend our growing season.

·         When each one has grown then prepare a meal and recipe with that food in it and share it with the group.

I have used natural beads and natural dyes to make friendship wrist braids for children who have completed this to signify they belong to a special club that is making a difference to lifestyle habits.

This is a way to empower the child through being ‘family coach’ but they will need family  members to support them and this way they can earn extra incentive points towards the HET reward chart concept.

Find out more about our ‘GREEN TEAM’ Packs which are shortly available as part of our ECO therapy alternative curriculum.

Tags: ADHD ADHD Diet

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