ADHD Rules
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ADHD Rules
Eating for Optimal Health & Vitality
By Jen Brown
Most of us can relate to our moods influencing what we decide to eat. However, what we eat significantly influences how we think, feel & look. A lot of the foods in the super market these days are not the same foods our Grandparents were eating. There are a lot of additives, preservatives, colorings, MSG, GMOs, corn syrup, artificial sweeteners, pesticides, and antibiotics in our food supply.
Alongside our food supply becoming more processed, lacking nutrients & being turned into non-foods, so has the list of medical and psychological “conditions” that people are labeled with and often times put on medication for- including ADHD.
The “conditions” people are labeled with are not due to a deficiency in prescription drugs. When people have symptoms, it is their body trying to give them a message that something is imbalanced within the body. Long term prescription drug use is not the answer. Addressing the cause of your symptoms is the key, not simply masking the symptoms.
The good news is, a lot of “conditions” can be improved or reversed through lifestyle changes. The “conditions” people are labeled with are just a name that is given to identify a group of symptoms. Any chronic condition you were not born with can most likely be reversed. Sometimes when people are told that they have a disease or “condition”, they don’t realize that with the correct knowledge & guidance, they can take control of their health (physically & mentally).
Nutrition is one key area that has a profound effect on each of us. Think about the number of times we eat each and every day. Everything we ingest (food, water, air) affects us on a cellular level and causes chemical reactions within us.
Going back to basics is a great start. Eating whole fresh foods (fresh fruits and vegetables, clean sources of proteins, healthy fats) is a good starting point. And learning how to plan meals that are balanced in protein, carbs & fats will help ensure stable blood sugar levels, which will provide you with consistent energy throughout the day and also help prevent cravings.
It has been suggested that the following foods and food additives be avoided for anyone suffering from ADHD: mercury, gluten (it is estimated that about 70% of Caucasians are gluten intolerant and are not even aware of it), dairy, sugar & processed carbohydrates, artificial additives, food colorings/flavorings, white flour, wheat, packaged and processed foods.
The primary reason that packaged foods are not advised is because of all the additives & colorings that seem to aggravate ADHD symptoms. MSG is one ingredient that is a flavor enhancer and is added to most packaged foods. It not only makes the foods taste better, but also makes you crave more of them. Great for the food companies- but not so great for us as consumers.
Another area to address would be removing environmental toxins from the home (health & beauty products and household cleaners). Fortunately, there are healthier alternatives to just about every product on the market.
When making dietary and lifestyle changes, keep in mind that it is a process. You do not have to make changes all at once. Any change you make in the right direction will be beneficial. There are so many food choices out there that ARE healthy, delicious, and that support optimal mental and physical health. If you are unsure where to start, or what is ideal to eat, seek the support of a coach.
Take control of your health so that you can enjoy optimal health & energy and enjoy life to its fullest!
In Health & Happiness,
Jen
Jen Brown is a Holistic Nutrition, Health & Fitness Coach and the Owner of Pure Energy, LLC (and also operates The Diet Doc office in West Boylston, MA). She specializes in customized nutrition plans for healthy, permanent weight management and optimal health.For more information, contact Jen at 1-888-716-PURE (7873). Her website is www.PureEnergyLLC.com.
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