A Diet for a Toddler With ADHD

Although no studies have definitively determined that diet causes ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) in toddlers or that a change in diet can treat ADHD, parents may notice that their toddlers react differently to certain foods. For that reason, a diet eliminating potentially problematic foods can be one component in treating ADHD in toddlers. Take care to balance your toddler's nutritional needs with your attempt to modify her behavior through diet.

Food Additives

In the United Kingdom, a study published by the Food Standards Agency in 2007 fed children between 3 and 9 foods containing certain additives and dyes and recognized varying levels of increased hyperactivity in those children. Although that study did not prove that artificial food ingredients cause hyperactivity, it did show a possible link. Sometimes parents notice changes in their children's behavior after eating such foods.

If you are concerned about how food additives and dyes effect your toddler, avoid feeding him processed foods. Instead, prepare fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meats in your own kitchen. Use garlic and herbal seasoning blends to flavor the food instead of prepared sauces. Avoid boxed mixes of rice and noodle side dishes. Prepare your own rice dishes from scratch. In a restaurant, ask for foods plain without sauces and condiments, and share your diet concerns with the chef.

Sugar and Caffeine

Try eliminating sugar and caffeine in your toddler's diet to see if it makes a difference in her ADHD symptoms. Avoid canned fruits, fruit juices, juice drinks and soft drinks. Give your toddler water to drink or small amounts of unsweetened fruit juice diluted with water. Feed your toddler whole fresh fruits as a snack instead of canned fruits and candy. Avoid chocolate because it contains both sugar and caffeine.

Allergens

Some parents notice an improvement in their children's ADHD symptoms after eliminating common allergens from their meals, such as wheat, eggs and dairy. Replace cow's milk with rice milk, a less allergenic alternative than soy milk. Choose rice noodles instead of regular pasta and cereal without sweeteners and starch additives. Prepare your own fresh vegetable soups to avoid the wheat and dairy additives in canned soups and entrees. Check labels to avoid potentially allergenic ingredients. In restaurants, ask for foods without sauces or breading. Choose fruit sorbet or fruit juice pops over ice cream and baked goods for dessert.

Warning

Speak to a doctor before making radical changes to your toddler's diet. Because toddlers grow and change rapidly, improperly balanced nutrition can harm their development. Feed your toddler frequently and on a schedule to avoid hunger and behavior reactions to schedule changes.