Can some one suggest a web site , book or any ideas for a special diet for ADHD ? Thank you?

My grandson has been diagnosed with ADHD. May have Asburgers (which is a form of Autism). I'd be grateful of special diets or hints to stop my beautiful 12 year old (almost 13) grandson having mood swings.Or any hints that will help him. I live in Australia. Thank you

PJJ -

Let me try and answer this about ADHD first, and then a little about Aspergers. I want to do this because there is a lot of inaccurate information and myths being circulated about diet and ADHD.

First and foremost, you want to decrease the sugar intake your grandson gets. I am NOT suggesting you eliminate it - but you sort of watch his behavior and activity level, and adjust accordingly. If you think about it, all people are affected by sugar. It can make anyone appear more hyperactive.

Next, please know that a Gluten-Free diet will not cure ADHD or treat ADHD. If you were to follow this diet and see changes - then something else is happening or you are treating something else. And that is entirely possible because ADHD does not just occur alone.

Aspergers is not my area of expertise, but I believe I have heard that gluten-free diets have made a difference with Autism Spectrum conditions.

In terms of dyes and additives. This has long been speculated but research has been inconclusive. Of course that doesn't mean there isn't a direct correlation.

Best advice I can give on this is what they call an exclusion diet (I think that's the term). You remove a bunch of foods or additives, and slowly introduce them very systematically. You watch changes in behavior very closely and see what impacts the individual person.

Most importantly, you want to focus on a healthy and balanced diet, particularly with protein in the morning. Protein will provide the body with good energy, whereas sugar provides a quick boost and then an energy crash as the sugar is turned to carbs.

One more thing - it has been suggested in the past that you might try a Feingold diet and others... Those largely do not work.

Your best bet is to talk with someone who specializes in ADHD and nutrition. But the easiest rule to live by is decrease sugar, increase protein (everything balanced of course).

Hope this helps.

Rory

Rory F. Stern, PsyD
ADHD Coach & "Former" Therapist
http://www.ADHDSuccessAudio.com

First of all, just in case you are serching on the internet and can't find results, it is actually ASPERgers.

Many people find a gluten-free diet is effective but you may also find that helping the child to cope with life and manage his behaviour by structuring his routines in a way he finds less complicated and challenging.

Have a look at these sites:

http://www.autism-in-scotland.org.uk


http://www.nationalautisticsociety.co.uk...

This may be due to puberty onset and the increase in hormones. Gluten-free diets can work, but keep in mind they are hard to follow. We try to limit the use of artificial food coloring and sweetners. Asperger's children tend to deal better with a structured lifestyle. Also helpful is a book called "The out of sync child". Ask your GP medic for help and we are a member of IAN network. Cure Autism Now is also a good site to try.

Actually, you don't have to diet in fact to lose weight, the sole method which really worked for me was wu-yi tea, it can be viewed in the resource box below, they have a small number of free trials in stock, it was featured in Fox News and CNN. I worked off twenty pounds, it really does produce results!