Milly Gaines
The Feingold diet is a controversial elimination diet initially devised by Dr. Benjamin Feingold in the 1970s to treat ADHD. It involves removing artificial food colours, flavours, sweeteners, preservatives, and some fruits and vegetables. The diet was popular in the 1970s, but its effectiveness has been called into question by experts. While some studies have shown a link between ADHD rates and diets high in processed foods, salt, and sugar, there is no concrete evidence that the Feingold diet prevents or treats ADHD. Some experts say the diet may only help children who are sensitive to these foods.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Reduce ADHD symptoms |
| Target Group | Children with ADHD |
| Method | Elimination of food additives, colours, preservatives, sweeteners, salicylates, and certain fruits and vegetables |
| Effectiveness | Mixed research results, no concrete evidence of effectiveness, some experts say it may help some children |
| Side Effects | May lead to nutrient deficiencies, overly restrictive, time-consuming |
| Cost | Varies depending on which foods are replaced |
| Safety | Should not replace medical treatment or medication |
| History | Popular in the 1970s, based on research linking food additives and hyperactivity |
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What You'll Learn
Feingold Diet's effectiveness
The Feingold diet is a controversial elimination diet initially devised by Benjamin Feingold following research in the 1970s that appeared to link food additives with hyperactivity. The diet eliminates artificial colours, flavourings, sweeteners, preservatives, and some salicylates (naturally occurring compounds found in some fruits and vegetables). It is intended to reduce or eliminate ADHD symptoms in certain children.
The effectiveness of the Feingold diet has been called into question. There is no concrete evidence that the diet prevents or treats ADHD, autism, or other behavioural disorders in children or adults. However, a small percentage of children with hyperactivity may experience behavioural improvements after certain food additives are eliminated from their diet. Some experts say the diet may ease ADHD symptoms only in kids who happen to be sensitive to these foods.
A 2007 study published in The Lancet found that food additives, particularly artificial colours and the preservative sodium benzoate, increased hyperactivity in 3-, 8-, and 9-year-old children, with or without ADHD. The American Academy of Pediatrics wrote in their Grand Rounds in 2008 that "a trial of a preservative-free, food colouring-free diet is a reasonable intervention".
The Feingold diet is difficult to follow and may lead to nutrient deficiencies. It is also time-consuming and costly. Parents are discouraged from pursuing the diet plan, and it should not be used in place of a child's ADHD medications or therapy.
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Food additives and ADHD
The Feingold diet is a controversial elimination diet initially devised by Dr. Benjamin Feingold in the 1970s. It is based on research that appeared to link food additives with hyperactivity. The diet involves eliminating artificial food dyes, colours, flavourings, sweeteners, preservatives, and some salicylates (naturally occurring compounds found in some fruits and vegetables). It is intended to reduce or eliminate ADHD symptoms in certain children.
Some research claims that restricting food additives will improve the behaviour of children with ADHD. A 2007 study published in The Lancet found that food additives, particularly artificial colours and the preservative sodium benzoate, increased hyperactivity in 3-, 8-, and 9-year-old children, with or without ADHD. However, current studies do not report concrete evidence of the diet's effectiveness. A 2019 medical literature review found no clear evidence to support elimination diets or other dietary interventions for ADHD. Similarly, a 2022 review of studies concluded that elimination diets can lead to nutrient deficiencies and that there is little evidence to support their effectiveness.
Some experts say the diet may ease ADHD symptoms only in children who are sensitive to these foods, possibly due to their genes. In support of this, a 2013 review published in the American Journal of Psychiatry showed that children with a sensitivity to certain foods may show improved ADHD symptoms if they avoid them. Additionally, a small percentage of children with hyperactivity may experience behavioural improvements after certain food additives are eliminated from their diet.
The Feingold diet is not without its drawbacks. It is overly restrictive, time-consuming, and may lead to nutrient deficiencies. It may also be difficult for children to feel included in social situations while adhering to the diet, as many of the restricted foods are easily available at school, friends' houses, and other locations. Furthermore, the diet should not be used in place of a child's ADHD medications or therapy.
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Natural alternatives
The Feingold diet is a controversial method for treating ADHD symptoms. It involves eliminating artificial food colours, flavourings, sweeteners, preservatives, and some salicylates (naturally occurring compounds found in some fruits and vegetables).
Some natural alternatives to the Feingold diet include:
- Serving a healthy diet of natural foods: Swapping out candy or processed snack foods, which often contain artificial colours or flavours, for healthy foods may also help your child's symptoms. Whole, natural foods may help your child's blood sugar levels stay even, which can help ease ADHD symptoms.
- Incorporating foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, and folates: Scientists found a link between ADHD rates and children who grow up eating diets low in omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, and folates. They found lower rates of ADHD in children who eat diets rich in these nutrients.
- Fish oil supplements: Some studies suggest that certain nutritional supplements, such as fish oil, may help manage ADHD symptoms while avoiding the side effects of medication.
- Elimination diets: Some people seek to manage ADHD symptoms through an ADHD diet or elimination diets, which involve removing potential triggers and avoiding all foods that may lead to behavioural issues. However, there is limited evidence supporting the effectiveness of elimination diets, and they can be restrictive and time-consuming.
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The role of sugar and omega-3
The Feingold diet is a controversial method for treating ADHD symptoms. It involves eliminating artificial colours, flavours, sweeteners, preservatives, and some salicylates (naturally occurring compounds found in some fruits and vegetables). The diet is based on the theory that these additives can cause ADHD symptoms or learning problems.
Some experts say that the diet may only help children who are sensitive to these additives. A 2007 study published in Lancet found that food additives, particularly artificial colours and the preservative sodium benzoate, increased hyperactivity in children aged 3, 8, and 9, with or without ADHD. The American Academy of Pediatrics wrote in their Grand Rounds in 2008 that "a trial of a preservative-free, food colouring-free diet is a reasonable intervention".
Research on the effectiveness of the Feingold diet for ADHD is mixed. While some experts say it may help some children, there is little evidence that it improves behavioural problems in children with ADHD. In addition, the diet is overly restrictive, time-consuming, and may lead to nutrient deficiencies.
Regarding sugar and omega-3, a study found a link between ADHD rates and children who grow up eating diets high in processed foods, salt, and sugar and low in omega-3 fatty acids, fibre, and folates. Lower rates of ADHD were found in children who ate diets rich in fish, fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, and whole grains. Whole, natural foods may help children's blood sugar levels stay even, which can help ease ADHD symptoms.
While Feingold suggested limiting added sugars, he saw no reason to avoid sugar completely. Natural, plant-derived sweeteners like stevia and sugar alcohols like xylitol and sorbitol are allowed on the Feingold diet.
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The diet's safety
The Feingold diet is a controversial elimination diet initially devised by Benjamin Feingold in the 1970s. It is based on an early allergy diet used by Feingold to treat asthma and allergies in the 1950s. The diet eliminates artificial food colours, flavourings, sweeteners, preservatives, and some salicylates (naturally occurring compounds found in some fruits and vegetables).
The safety of the Feingold diet has been called into question due to its restrictiveness and lack of concrete evidence supporting its effectiveness. While some proponents of the diet report improvements in their children's behaviour and ADHD symptoms, there is no firm connection between salicylate sensitivity and behavioural issues. No well-designed studies have been conducted on the Feingold program as a whole, and current research does not support Feingold's overall hypothesis. A 2019 medical literature review found no clear evidence to support elimination diets for ADHD, and a 2022 review found that such diets can lead to nutrient deficiencies.
However, some studies have supported a few of Feingold's key points. A 2007 study published in Lancet found that food additives increased hyperactivity in children, and a 2013 review in the American Journal of Psychiatry showed that children sensitive to certain foods may show improved ADHD symptoms if they avoid them. Some experts say the diet may ease ADHD symptoms in children sensitive to these foods, and the American Academy of Pediatrics has written that "a trial of a preservative-free, food colouring-free diet is a reasonable intervention".
It is important to note that the Feingold diet should not be used as a replacement for medical treatment or medication. Parents should seek the advice of a pediatrician before starting their children on this diet and should administer the diet under the care of a health professional, especially if the child is also undergoing medical treatment.
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Frequently asked questions
The Feingold diet is an elimination diet that involves removing artificial food colouring, flavourings, sweeteners, preservatives, and some fruits and vegetables from a child's diet to help with focus and behaviour.
The Feingold diet is controversial. Some experts say it may help some children manage their ADHD symptoms, while others say there is no evidence it prevents or treats ADHD. Research is mixed, with some studies supporting the diet and others finding no clear evidence.
The Feingold diet is overly restrictive and may lead to nutrient deficiencies. It can also be time-consuming and difficult to implement, as many foods need to be avoided. It should not be used as a replacement for medical treatment.
