In the 1960′s a Dr. Feingold postulated that diet may have an effect on a child’s behavior. Although this seems to be common sense (give kid sugar, watch kid go crazy), mainstream medicine did not think there was much of an effect, and that kids are just hyper and outgrow this behavior as they age. In fact, some doctors today think that as well and treat with medications instead of exploring dietary issues.

Since the 1960′s, there has been much debate on the subject. Regardless of who you think is correct, one thing seems obvious, who cares? Why not try it? What harm is there in trying kids out on a diet consisting of natural, unprocessed foods that aren’t full of sugar and artificial ingredients like colorings and preservatives? Psst… there is no harm!

If there’s one thing that I want to do in this article, it is to make parents, teachers, daycare center workers, etc. aware that the foods we feed our kids have changed dramatically over the years. Think about how prevalent behavioral issues like ADD and ADHD was prior to the 1980′s. It wasn’t. If you look at the amount of sugar and processed foods consumed by kids, I’m sure you’ll see a major shift during that same time period. Today it’s the norm to eat more processed foods than natural foods.

How does diet effect behavior? One obvious connection can be made between increased sugar and increased caffeine intake. It’s not hard to imagine why those things make kids hyper (both are stimulants). But what about artificial colorings, flavorings, and preservatives? These chemicals (and make no mistake, they are just that, chemicals) can cause what is called a sensitivity reaction in kids. This reaction puts a stress on the body and can cause a variety of reactions including hyperactivity, irritability, restlessness, headaches, and other symptoms.

The mechanisms are not clear, but is it so hard to believe that these things could cause problems? Think about MSG for example. This is an additive used often in Chinese food as a flavor enhancer. You probably know people who are very sensitive to this chemical and may break out in hives, have heart palpitations, or develop a headache. We don’t always understand why this happens, but it’s generally accepted that it happens. Similar mechanisms are at work when kids ingest certain food additives.

So here’s the bottom line. If you’re having behavioral issues with your kid(s), try them on a natural, whole foods diet free from excessive sugar, caffeine, food additives, and processing for a week or two. Almost every parent I’ve talked to that has committed to this say they will never go back to the old diet. Changes are usually dramatic.

If you are a daycare center administrator, this can be a great experiment and a great teaching moment for everyone involved. You know who the “problem kids” are in your center. Try everyone on a more natural diet and see if any of that changes. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised. If not, then at worst the kids received more nutritional than usual. You’ve got nothing to lose.

For more information, check out the Feingold Association’s homepage.

(Dr. Touchinsky is a chiropractor in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County . In addition to treating people for neck pain and back pain, he focuses on helping people overcome a variety of health issues through healthy lifestyle and nutritional counseling. If you have an issue you’d like help with or would like a second opinion, call the office at 570-366-2613 to set up an appointment.)