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The relationship between nutrition, food allergies, and childhood behavior
problems is a topic that causes a great deal of controversy. Some doctors
insist that the foods we eat have no effect on our behavior. Many health
care professionals and parents, however, have seen dramatic changes in
children's behavior and health after correcting nutritional deficiencies
and eliminating foods which cause reactions.
However, hidden food sensitivities are more difficult to understand. When a child has a hidden food sensitivity, no reaction may occur when she eats the food, but she may suffer frequently from chronic symptoms. Symptoms caused by hidden food sensitivities can include: eczema, runny or stuffy nose, ear infections, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, emotional and behavior problems, learning problems, headaches, colic, fussiness, eating or sleeping problems, excessive drooling, fatigue, irritability, moodiness, and digestive complaints.
The foods to which a child is sensitive are likely to be foods that she eats every day, or even several times a day. To confuse matters even more, the body often adapts to the problem food by developing an addictive response; the child will crave the food, and will actually go through a withdrawal if the food is not eaten. During the withdrawal period (typically lasting 3 days after the problem food is removed from the diet) the symptoms often worsen. However, once the food is out of the system (usually by the 4th day) there will be an immediate and dramatic improvement in symptoms.
The 10 foods and additives which most frequently cause reactions are:
| milk | yeast | |
| eggs | soy | |
| corn | chocolate | |
| sugar | cola drinks | |
| wheat | coloring dyes |
To test your child for food allergies, remove the above foods from his diet for one week. Give him meats, fruits, vegetables, and grains other than wheat and corn (such as rice, barley, millet, or buckwheat). After one week, reintroduce the foods one at a time (and no more than one food per day) and observe your child's reaction. If your child has a sensitivity to one of the foods, he will react strongly to it after having avoided it for a week. Dr. William Crook's books (see Resources) explain this fully, and suggest ways to gain your child's cooperation (no small task!)
If you suspect that your child is sensitive to other foods besides those listed above, if you suspect allergies to other substances in the environment, or if you are unable to implement the elimination diet described above, then you may wish to work with a health professional experienced with food sensitivities. An MD who specializes in environmental medicine or a clinical kinesiologist will be able to identify the foods and other substances to which your child is reacting.
| Symptoms | Possible cause | Suggested Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Irritability, lack of cuddliness, irregular or restless sleep, colic, easily overstimulated | Magnesium or calcium deficiency | Magnesium and calcium supplements |
| Recurrent ear infections | Milk allergy | Vitamin C, cod liver oil, eliminate dairy products |
| ADHD | Multiple causes, including hidden food sensitivities | Eliminate allergens, eliminate sugar, limit fruit juice, give frequent high-protein snacks, EFA supplements, calcium and magnesium supplements, digestive enzymes, pycnogenol |
| Irritability, poor sleep, excessive thirst, eczema, dry skin | Essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency | Flaxseed or cod liver oil, eliminate allergenic foods. If problem still persists, rub Evening Primrose oil into skin. |
| Severe, painful diaper rash, allergic symptoms, digestive disturbances, behavior problems | Yeast overgrowth | Lactobacillus bifidus supplements, avoid sugar, avoid antibiotics except in serious bacterial infections, consult doctor about using Nystatin, use aloe vera gel topically on diaper rash |
The A.D.D. Nutrition Solution by Marcia Zimmerman (1999) is an excellent resource for those wishing to explore this further.
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© 1999-2000, Ruth Donnelly, unless otherwise noted. Photo credit: Lenore Spitznagel