ADHD patients are right to question whether their disorder causes unhealthy eating or if unhealthy eating leads to ADHD. Some go as far as arguing unhealthy diets directly cause ADHD.
It’s a bit like asking what came first, the chicken or the egg?
Do some research and you’ll find there is substantive proof that poor diet leads to the development and worsening of ADHD.
But why?
The answer might surprise you.
The Connection Between Diet and ADHD
Meta-analysis, meaning a strategic and logic-driven approach to synthesizing quantitative data from numerous objective studies, reveals a harsh truth: unhealthy diet heightens the risk of ADHD.
In particular, the consumption of refined sugar, saturated fat and additive-laden processed foods is linked to a higher occurrence of ADHD.
In contrast, healthy eating safeguards against ADHD and other undesirable outcomes.
Healthy eating patterns highlighted by the enjoyment of vegetables, fruits and whole grains actually protects against the onset and worsening of ADHD.
Why Food is so Important for ADHD Patients
The human body breaks down nutrients within food, creating energy for life to continue. Problems arise when people eat too often or without sufficient planning as often occurs with ADHD patients.
There is an argument to be made that food is more important for ADHD sufferers than other individuals.
A strategic and structured approach to ADHD eating ensures a measured intake of complex carbohydrates and protein to sustain energy, mood and focus.
The average ADHD patient consumes sugary delights, salty snacks and ultra-processed foods on a whim as they are distracted and craving sustenance.
Consuming sugar and processed food can cause destructive blood sugar level spikes and crashes. Those crashes lead to negative outcomes.
Such a roller coaster-like approach to eating causes significant undulations in energy and resulting behavior. It’s the worst possible outcome for ADHD sufferers already struggling to maintain a level approach to their personal psychology and life itself.
The Past, Present and Future of ADHD Food Research
Academicians are now shifting their focus to analyses using a longitudinal methodology, meaning one that spans a longer period of time. Such analysis will likely echo the causal relationship between poor eating and ADHD development.
But how did we get here?
The hypothesis of a causal relationship between food intake and ADHD originated in the 1980s. The initial investigation into the link led to a series of experimental studies. The beginning focus was limited to the impact of sugars and additives on ADHD.
Those early studies spawned the proposal of nutritional therapies, most of which emphasized the minimization of the following substances:
- Sugar
- Antigens
- Food coloring
- Additive intake
Fast forward to the aughts and subsequent studies proved the positive relationship between the consumption of:
- Iron
- Iodine
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids
- Zinc
The ADHD studies of the early aughts also delved into how the consumption of a significant amount of food coloring, sugar and preservatives led to negative ADHD outcomes.
Today’s studies have the common theme of dietary pattern analysis. In particular, researchers are starting to shift their attention to the nuances of individual nutrients in relation to the development and worsening of ADHD.
Let the Data Tell the Story
A systematic review of study evidence reveals there is a strong association between diet patterns and the onset of ADHD. Researchers conducted two distinct study searches spanning the top databases ranging from PsycInfo to LILACS and PubMed.
The studies analyzed for the purpose of the research were limited to those that strictly evaluated food intake and the development of ADHD in kids, tweens and teens.
All in all, the meta-analysis included 14 observational studies. Of these 14 analyses, five were cross-sectional studies, another five were case-controlled and four were cohorts.
The results of the aggregate analysis?
Healthy eating patterns safeguarded kids, tweens and teens against the development of ADHD. Moreover, the data reveals those who ate unhealthy foods suffered a heightened ADHD risk.
The researchers went to the extent of extending the analysis by cross-sectional, case-controlled and cohort approach across both scale and location. To the surprise of few, the causal relationship detailed above remained consistent across geography and study size.
In groups of less than 1,000 study participants and groups of more than 1,000 study participants, the causal relationship between unhealthy eating and ADHD development remained consistent.
Moreover, when extended to other continents such as Asia, Europe and beyond, the causal relationship between poor eating and the onset of ADHD also remained consistent.
It is Time to Rethink the Western Diet
Individuals living in the United States are disproportionately obese, partially because our food industry isn’t as tightly regulated as that of other countries.
Most of the foods on your local supermarket shelves contain artificial sugar, artificial flavors and unhealthy additives.
Though sugar alone is not a direct cause of ADHD, the elevated consumption of sugar-laden food and food that is processed causes problems. Such food intake causes the blood sugar level to spike, sabotaging one’s ability to focus, remain energized and level-headed.
The link between sugar and hyperactivity is proven in this 2011 study.
Read through the text and you’ll find the consumption of refined sugar also increases attention deficiency levels.
Another study from 2022 shows that the Western diet, largely consisting of processed foods, red meat, soda pop and hydrogenated fat, boosts ADHD risk by a whopping 92%.
The analysis also reveals a consistent pattern of consuming junk food characterized by ultra-processed food with fake coloring and unnecessary sugar heightens the chances of ADHD development by 51%.
Diet Matters More Than Big Pharma Prescription Medication
If you suffer from ADHD or have a child, tween or teen plagued by the disorder, don’t immediately turn to Big Pharma medication concoctions.
Meet with a nutritional psychologist and you’ll find strategic food intake combined with food restriction is more important than Big Pharma’s pills.
ADHD medication is inherently problematic. For one, it creates a dependency on pharmaceutical corporations incentivized to sustain the disorder instead of curing it. Moreover, there have been shortages of ADHD medications in recent years due to supply chain issues.
Add in the fact that ADHD medication has harmful side effects and there is even more reason to bypass them.
Instead, shift your focus to food with the assistance of a food psychiatrist in NJ. Your nutritional psychiatrist will analyze your diet, habits and mindset.
The next step is to develop a strategic food intake plan with the help of a food psychiatrist in Basking Ridge. Choosing the right foods and beverages is only one aspect of the plan. Understanding your unique eating habits and personal psychology is another aspect of the plan.
Listen closely when consulting with a food psychologist and you’ll learn the foods you put into your body directly impact your brain functionality. Nutrition has an immediate impact on attention, mood and cognition, all of which are central to the ADHD crisis.
Beware of Hidden Artificial Food Additives
If you haven’t checked the labels on the foods you regularly buy, now is the time to start doing so. Take a close look at those labels and you’ll likely find some concerning ingredients.
In particular, artificial colors are especially troublesome for ADHD patients. A study from 2021 determined food dyes can lead to both hyperactivity and brain-linked behavioral disorders.
The researchers who conducted the study also suggested that the federal government’s guidelines for safe consumption of artificial food additives are unlikely to protect neurobehavioral health.
Instead of relying on the authorities to govern the food supply, ask for guidance from a nutritional psychologist.
What About Animal Protein and Fat?
Animal protein is often touted as fundamental to human life and health. Protein, the building block of all life forms, provides energy and helps build muscle.
To the surprise of many, the data from a study conducted in 2022 shows there is a positive correlation between the consumption of animal protein and the frequency of ADHD development. The correlation also held true for total fat consumption.
In the spirit of transparency, it’s worth noting the aforementioned study also determined the consumption of vegetable protein such as beans and veggies and was linked to a lower ADHD prevalence. The relationship held true for zinc and iron derived from non-animal sources such as fruits, vegetables and plant-based products.
In other words, it appears that a more strategic approach to eating that emphasizes non-animal sources of protein is superior, especially for those who suffer from ADHD or want to proactively prevent its onset.
A Food Psychologist can Help
It’s no secret that food is more addictive today than ever before. The influx and ubiquity of highly addictive social media, video games and other tech makes healthy living all the more challenging.
If you are suffering from ADHD, food addiction, obesity or other food-related problems, do yourself a favor. Ask for help from an experienced mindful eating specialist.
Dial 908-844-8547 to schedule a consultation with a nutritional psychologist. You’ll be one step closer toward overcoming ADHD.
This is your chance to finally enjoy the healthy life you were meant to live.
