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The Dietary Connection
Can Sugars and Food Additives Contribute to Learning and Behavior Disorders?
By Kelly Burgess
Bobby Masterson, 8, of Gibsonia, Penn., has always struggled academically. He has problems paying attention and acts out frequently. His second grade teacher thinks he has ADHD, but testing has been inconclusive. His mother, Sandy, thinks Bobby's problems are related to red food dyes and has tried to be rigorous about monitoring his food intake. Complicating matters are the school lunches that feature Jell-O and fruit punch and the colored candies his teacher offers as rewards for good behavior.
After he was diagnosed with ADHD at age 6 and prescribed Ritalin, Michael Weathers, of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., started to have problems as a result of negative reactions to the medication. Finally, at the end of third grade, his mother, Patricia, flew him to the Block Center in Hurst, Texas, for an evaluation. At the Block Center, founded by Dr. Mary Ann Block, they believe in a natural, multidisciplinary approach to ADHD that includes a diet as close to the natural state of foods as possible, in other words, very little "junk" food. There, Michael was put on a strict diet that severely cut back on sugar, wheat products and any foods with additives. In addition, he began taking nutritional supplements such as vitamin B6 and other vitamins and minerals that some people believe children diagnosed with ADHD are lacking.
Feingold developed a two-stage diet that quickly became popular with parents of children with learning and behavioral problems. Stage one eliminates synthetic coloring, artificial flavorings and the artificial preservatives BHA, BHT and TBHQ, as well as natural salicylates found in items such as apples, grapes, oranges and aspirin products. After four to six weeks, the foods with natural salicylates are slowly added back to the child's diet and any reactions are noted. If there is no reaction, these foods are considered acceptable to eat. The artificial flavors, colorings and preservatives are permanently eliminated.