The ADHD Diet Plan

There are upwards of 10,000,000 people with ADHD in the USA including children, teens, and adults. What has happened to America? Why the drastic increase? Is it a psychiatric disease or is it too much electronic media (TV, video games, cell phones, computers.) or too much junk food? Perhaps it is a combination of both. However, the truth is, ADHD is America’s great misdiagnosis.

Proper diet and supplements may be the prescription you need to feel focused and balanced.
There are 5 specific neurotransmitters that you must keep in good health and balance.
1. Dopamine
2. Opioids
3. GABA
4. Norepinephrine
5. Serotonin

• First, what NOT to eat for two weeks:
  No dairy products, especially cow's milk. This is the single most important restriction. Instead try almond milk, rice milk, or Better Than Milk. Drink water instead of milk. In fact, drink lots of water. The brain is about 80% water, and increasing your water intake to 7 to 10 glasses per day might be helpful all by itself. Sodas, Gatorade, teas, icees, etc., do not count as water. Water counts as water.
• No yellow foods, especially corn or squash. Bananas are white. Don't eat the peel.
• No junk foods. If it comes in a cellophane wrapper, don't eat it.
• No fruit juices. Too much sugar content. One small glass of apple juice has the sugar content of eight apples. Later on you can have juice, but dilute it with water 50/50.
• Cut sugar intake by 90%. If you can, cut it down to zero. Sugar is in just about everything; but, give it a try. Do your best without going crazy.
• Cut chocolate by 90%. No more than a single piece, once a week.
• No Nutrasweet. None. Period.
• No processed meats and no MSG. Only get meats with labels that say, “Turkey and Water,” etc. If the meat has chemicals listed that you can't pronounce, don't buy it.
• Cut fried foods by 90%.
• Avoid food colorings whenever possible. See if your child is sensitive to any particular colors, such as Reds, Yellows, etc. For now, though, avoid all if possible.

After Two Weeks
Begin adding these foods back into your diet, one food every other day. Eat a LOT of that food every day for four days. If you have a problem with one of the foods, you will see some kind of a “reaction” within four days. The reaction can vary from big red splotches on the body, to ears turning bright red, to explosive temper outbursts. If there's a problem, you'll know. If there's no problem, enjoy the food.

What to eat to feed the ADHD brain:
For breakfast serve high protein, low-carbohydrate meals. Say, “good-bye,” to breakfast cereals and milk. Serve 60% protein and 40% carbohydrates for breakfast. Other meals should be 50%/50%.
Protein supplements might be needed to get the added protein for breakfast. They are often very helpful in the afternoon as well. Here is our favorite recipe for a protein shake:
a) Make a cup of coffee, using one of General Mills' International Coffees, or something like that, with a flavor that you or your child will like (yes, this is breaking rules here, as these coffees have dried milk and some sugar) Pour the hot coffee into a blender with about 6 oz of ice. Turn on the blender for a bit.
b) Add a good quality protein powder. There are many good ones available. If you can't find one that you like, ask at your local health food store. Get protein powders that are mostly protein, and very little carbohydrate. Now, turn on the blender and drink up! This protein shake is helpful for a lot of people. For many small kids, and many adults, this recipe works about as well as a small dose of Ritalin (100 mg of caffeine is roughly the same as 5 mg of Ritalin). Many, who might just take a small dose of Ritalin, might get away with just doing this. Don't forget, even caffeine can have some side effects. Every once in a while there could be someone that has problems with the caffeine in the coffee. Usually, though, the caffeine in the coffee helps the person to focus better. The protein helps to feed the brain. If you find this helpful, have one with Breakfast, and one around 3 pm. If it is not helpful, then don't bother with it.

• Attend, Extress, or Memorin from VAXA. I really recommend the "Attend" product for everyone. "Extress" is recommended in addition, for those with problems with hyperactivity, and temper, and "Memorin," in addition to the "Attend," for those with poor concentration or memory. These are strongly recommended. http://www.vaxa.com/
• Omega fatty three—Flax seed. High sources of omega oils. Borage oils and some fish oils are good as well. Very, very important.
• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Avoid aluminum exposure. Eat in a healthy manner.
• Spending time in ordinary urban nature -- a tree-lined street, a green yard or neighborhood park may offer additional relief from ADHD symptoms. Spend time in nature, play more sports, ride bike, do homework outside in the fresh air.