If you’re living a distracted life with ADHD, some foods may not be the best to manage your condition.
According to the site ADHD Awareness Month, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder is most prevalent among African Americans at 10.5 percent. ADHD is more common in school-age children than adults, and in boys than girls.
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Experts say that some foods can worsen ADHD symptoms, including inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. These specific foods can mimic the signs of ADHD.
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Here are some of the foods to avoid for anyone living with ADHD:
Candy
Sugar and artificial colors are a bad combination for children and adults with ADHD. Candy can lead to hyperactivity, studies show. Be sure to cut back on the candy.
Frozen fruits and veggies
Fruits and veggies are supposed to be healthy, right? Well, in this case, frozen fruits and vegetables contain artificial colors, which can be bad for an ADHD diet. Experts say these foods are treated with chemicals for insect control, which can cause neurologic-based behavior problems. If you’re serving fruits or vegetables for dinner, stick to the fresh ones.
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Soda
It’s probably best to eliminate soda from your diet completely. Soda shares the same sugars and sweeteners as most candies. The high-fructose corn syrup and caffeine in soda is also bad for any child with ADHD. A 2013 study showed that children who drank too much soda exhibited slightly more aggression and social withdrawal.
Cake frosting
Yes, you guessed it! There’s a ton of artificial sweeteners and artificial coloring in cake mixes and frostings, too. Keep this in mind before having a big plate of birthday cake.
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Fish/Seafood
Fish and other seafood can contain traces of mercury, which can worsen ADHD symptoms in the long run. Try to avoid king mackerel, swordfish, shark and tilefish.
Energy drinks
Experts say energy drinks can worsen ADHD symptoms, too. They are packed with sugar, artificial sweeteners, artificial colors caffeine and other stimulants. These drinks are becoming popular among teens, so be sure to talk to your teen about the risks of drinking energy drinks.
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Other foods to look out for
Common foods such as milk, chocolate, soy, eggs, beans, tomatoes, grapes and oranges can trigger a food sensitivity leading to ADHD symptoms. If you notice that these foods are affecting your attention span, talk to a physician. You may have to eliminate these foods from your diet to avoid worsening your symptoms.
