Anyone have any experience with this?
I remember reading awhile ago that food dyes can affect behavior- what else can do this?
Are there other things to focus on like gluten? Sugar? Etc?
You might also enjoy...
-
Some people swear that taking gluten, sugar, dyes, what have you, out of their kids diets changed their behavior. Unless your child has a true intolerance to some food, there's really no data to back up this idea. However, if your child is having some gastrointestinal issues (that may not be obvious) that are causing discomfort, avoiding whatever food is causing it can improve behavior. But this is because the child is less irritable, can focus better, etc., because they are feeling better internally. Not because the food was somehow directly causing the behaviors.
-
@Chuckles: I don't think that's true in relation to dyes.
I've only heard of dyes. In Europe they have to be labeled as causing behavior issues. I know of a family member who took dyes out of their diet and saw measured changes in her behavior for the positive. They still eat plenty of processed stuff they just buy it in the organic section
-
Following! Curious as well.
-
@SCG00387: You're right about the dyes in Europe. I forgot about the labels there. Not that it can't be true without research, but I wonder if there are controlled studies that show the connection between dyes and behavior.
ETA: Ok, I'm going to eat my words. There are a bunch of studies showing the link between artificial dyes and hyperactive behavior. But this seems to be strong mostly for kids predisposed to having ADHD. -
I have worked with several kids on the autism spectrum who have cut gluten and casein from their diets, and seen amazing results. I don't know any of the research behind it, but its definitely interesting.
-
Diefooddye is the website where I have read about it.
-
@Mrs. Oatmeal: I have seen both sides of this with my students with autism. Some kids do improve, but this seems to be mostly for the reason I talked about above (feeling better internally). However, for some other kids, fighting about food restrictions has made their behavior worse when parents tried certain diets.
-
My youngest has an intolerance to wheat; the obvious symptom is eczema but the more subtle one seems to be behavioral. It's not something an outsider would notice but I definitely do. I also limit artificial colors and a bunch of other stuff but that's just because it's not healthy.
-
My brother was an ADHD kid back in the day (he's now 34!) but he was definitely better behaved and easier to handle when Mum removed the processed foods from his diet (cordial, lollipops, artificially coloured foods etc).
-
@Chuckles: yeah; I know I've read studies linking them to cancer too. Just seems like a no brainer to me. I think the Us will ban them eventually. I know it's common to have an allergy to red 40. Makes me mad how commonplace it is in the weirdest stuff.
-
@Chuckles: oh, for sure. I imagine if you're non-verbal and dairy makes your stomach upset, you'd act differently. Once it was removed and you felt better, behavior would change. I wonder, then, if there's just a higher number of gluten sensitive kids who also have autism.
-
Right after my son started eating crackers / bread / other wheat products around 11-12 months we noticed a SIGNIFICANT behavior change. Like... Easy baby to toddler with the worst colic. We ended up taking out gluten and it was almost a 24 hr improvement. He ended up having some other food allergies and he has always had eczema so I wonder if there is a link and his body is just bothered by a number of things. We asked our allergist if it was ok to stay away from gluten for now and she said definitely. We can add it back /good challenge when he gets a bit older and we feel ready / it's easier to pick out what is teething pain vs behavior changes vs upset stomach etc. It can't hurt (he eats mostly fruit, veggies, proteins, oats now anyway) so I definitely recommend trying it out!
-
I have taken care of a child who has a dramatic shift in behavior when she eats a healthy, low sugar diet as opposed to having a lot of sugary and processed foods. She crashes in a major way after sugar and simple carbs and then craves more in an almost addict like way. If you want more info on this aspect let me know and I can wall you.
-
@T.H.O.U.: thanks - I will check out that site!
@Cole: yes please! Anything your willing share would be helpful!
Reply
Subscribe to our newsletter
- Google Plus
- Stumbleupon
- Twitter
- Facebook
- Pinterest
- Favorite0
14 comments