Question
My child usually has no particular dietary preferences, but recently they have shown disobedient behavior and difficulty concentrating, which resembles ADHD. Could it be related to their daily diet?
Answer
Dietary structure is indeed a significant factor in pediatric ADHD. Studies show that about half of children with ADHD are sensitive to high-sugar diets, while the other half are more sensitive to artificial colors, wheat, dairy products, and cocoa products. Parents should avoid letting their children use lead-containing utensils and reduce their intake of lead-containing foods such as popcorn, preserved eggs, shellfish, shrimp, lettuce, and contaminated vegetables. High-sugar diets may lead to deficiencies in neurotransmitters like dopamine, which can trigger ADHD. Therefore, it is recommended to adjust the child’s dietary habits to reduce the risk of ADHD.