| Often called the most common mental disorder in | | | | 2) they will edge out the healthier foods that the child |
| children, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder | | | | actually needs in their diet 3) it may trigger behavioral |
| (ADHD) is thought to affect between two to eleven | | | | problems. |
| percent of all school age children worldwide, and three | | | | When high sugar foods are eaten, insulin is rushed out |
| to seven percent in the United States. There are some | | | | to deal with the overload. Instead of burning food for |
| conflicts in the medical community about whether the | | | | energy, the body uses up its energy to store the sugar |
| condition is under diagnosed or over diagnosed, | | | | as fat leaving you tired and cranky- and probably |
| especially when the symptoms can be brought about | | | | hungrier than you were before you ate the snack. A |
| by other conditions that must be ruled out. | | | | protein bar, shake or a liquid protein supplement is a |
| Symptoms for ADHD include: aggression, nervousness, | | | | better snack idea than a piece of cake or a soda |
| agitation, anxiety, inattentiveness and hyperactivity. | | | | because it does not spike the sugar and will not bring |
| Because these symptoms can be caused by many | | | | on the symptoms that tend to cause problems. It will |
| other conditions or because they are not always the | | | | also allow you to feel fuller for longer because the |
| same for each child, the diagnosis is very difficult and | | | | protein will take longer to digest. |
| may be a last grasp at a medical term for behavior | | | | If the child has an option between a healthy bowl of |
| that is interfering with performance at school or | | | | steel cut oatmeal and a sprinkle of cinnamon in the |
| causing problems for the family at home. It appears | | | | morning or a bowl of sugar frosted candy flakes, |
| that ADHD may be genetic as well as potentially | | | | which do you suppose he will take? That sugar filled |
| caused by traumatic birth circumstances such as | | | | cereal will have him pepped up and squirming in his |
| premature birth, drug or alcohol use while pregnant and | | | | seat for the first hour or so but by nine am, that same |
| oxygen deprivation for the baby. | | | | child is probably staring out the window, daydreaming |
| ADHD is not always diagnosed in childhood and can | | | | and catnapping. By lunch, the feelings of nausea, anger |
| often be missed well into the teen years or even adult | | | | and agitation are probably getting to him and he is |
| hood. Teens that have ADHD are more likely to have | | | | probably either in trouble or about to be in trouble. |
| behavior problems that can include legal troubles, | | | | Depending on what he eats for his lunch, the child will |
| school problems, drug or alcohol abuse issues and | | | | either return to the hyper and squirming from the |
| rebellion. Many of the teens that run away from home | | | | morning or he will be okay, at least until the meal is |
| may have problems with ADHD. Adults, especially | | | | digested by the body. If he had consumed a protein, |
| women are being diagnosed with the disorder even | | | | carb and fiber loaded breakfast, he might have had a |
| well into their thirties or forties after the diagnosis was | | | | much different day. If the child left for school at eight, |
| not made in childhood. | | | | had a snack at ten, lunch at twelve and another snack |
| Some of the typical symptoms of ADHD can be the | | | | at two pm, there would probably be far less behavioral |
| cause of an undiagnosed underlying health problem. | | | | problems. It will probably still be necessary for the child |
| These include: food allergies, nutritional deficiencies, | | | | to take medications and these should never be |
| yeast infection, thyroid function and anemia. | | | | stopped without the advice and consent of the treating |
| Hypoglycemia is also one of the causes that should be | | | | doctor. |
| investigated and ruled out. Hypoglycemia or low blood | | | | Protein Supplements as Snack Options |
| sugar can show the symptoms such as aggression, | | | | A good snack would be a turkey sandwich, but the |
| nervousness, agitation, anxiety. | | | | child is not going to be excused to sit in the hallway |
| The body needs blood sugar for energy. When there | | | | and have a nosh in the middle of class. A protein |
| is not enough fuel to keep the body going, the blood | | | | snack like a shake or a protein supplement shot can |
| sugar will drop lower than it should be, leading to these | | | | be consumed quickly and easily and will not interfere |
| negative feelings and potential behavior problems. | | | | with the child's classroom behavior. A protein bar can |
| Hypoglycemia can also cause fainting and nausea. To | | | | be a good choice for a snack but will take longer to |
| avoid the behavior and physical problems that | | | | eat. It should be high in protein but should not have a lot |
| hypoglycemia can cause, it is important to try to eat at | | | | of added sugar or it will not be as beneficial as it |
| least every two hours with smaller meals that includes | | | | should be. |
| some protein and carbohydrates to keep the body's | | | | Protein shakes are also a good choice, but again, may |
| glucose level even throughout the day. | | | | take too long to consume and may be a problem |
| Protein should be included in every snack and meal | | | | depending on the school district's policy. A protein |
| because it breaks down much more slowly than other | | | | shake can be made from whey protein, rice, soy or |
| nutrients and keeps the blood sugar level more even. | | | | egg protein. Keep in mind the trigger foods for the child |
| Protein bars, shakes and other supplements are | | | | when choosing the right supplement. The doctor may |
| perfect to use and should be small enough to toss into | | | | be able to make a good suggestion for you. |
| a backpack. (Parents should note that in some schools, | | | | Children are not the only ones who are diagnosed with |
| the policy is to treat protein supplements and similar | | | | ADHD, more and more adults are being diagnosed |
| items as medications meaning that your child will have | | | | with the disorder later in life. The food guidelines for |
| to adhere to the policy set by the school district). | | | | children may be beneficial for adults as well. Again, it is |
| Healthy Body, Healthy Mind | | | | important to discuss any diet changes with the doctor |
| There are three reasons that children with ADHD | | | | especially if there are other health conditions that are |
| should avoid high sugar foods: 1) it will actually | | | | being treated at the same time. |
| exacerbate the hypoglycemic related symptoms and | | | | |