Can your child’s behaviour really be influenced by what he or she eats? Studies prove that by eliminating certain processed foods from your child’s diet can result in an improvement in behaviour, concentration and intellectual performance.

Learning Difficulties and Behavioural Disorders

“He’ll probably be vile all afternoon after eating those”, was a quip I heard from a young mum in a supermarket recently as she succumbed to her son’s pleas for a packet of colourful candy.

Although most parents are vaguely aware of the effect of certain foods on their children, they often feel that processed and fast foods are a lot more convenient, easier to prepare and time-saving. They may not realise the extent to which their child’s behaviour is directly affected by their diet and may attribute their poor conduct to some behavioural disorder, such as ADHD.

Learning difficulties are becoming increasingly common and range from disruptive behaviour, dyslexia, poor communication skills and lack of concentration. However, rather than simply being “a sign of the times”, recent research that suggests that it is a deficiency of nutrients that affects the immune system and alters behaviour and that simple changes in diet can significantly improve antisocial behaviour.  

Top British Nutritionist ¹Patrick Holford conducted a study in a London school where a class of 6-7 year-olds was selected to take part in a healthy eating programme. After a week of avoiding sugar and additive-laden foods and eating more nutritional meals, dramatic improvements were noticed in the behaviour, concentration, reading and writing of the most disruptive pupils.

However, despite the proven link between diet and behaviour, doctors are still quick to hand out prescriptions for stimulant drugs such as Ritalin, which have a calming effect on hyperactive children.

Patrick Holford believes it is criminal to give these children stimulant drugs, which can have alarming side effects. “These stimulant drugs, which work in the brain similar to slow-acting cocaine, are becoming drugs of abuse in the US. Kids crush them and snort them. If you take them off all sugar and additives, and give them essential fats and vitamins, they feel, learn and behave better. This is more effective than drugs, and much, much safer.”

So how do you make the transition from junk foods to healthy alternatives that appeal to children?

Annabel Karmel, a leading author and expert on feeding children says, “Children who won’t eat cooked vegetables will often eat raw vegetables. Many children consume empty calories by eating convenience foods, such as crisps, but if you prepare a plate of chopped up fruit and vegetables in the afternoon, you can offer this to them when they come home hungry from school. Colourful foods are the most nutritious, such as tomatoes and blueberries, which have high levels of anti-oxidants.”

Annabel continues, “If you have a child who is a real vegetable hater, you can make a tomato sauce for pasta with hidden vegetables, by puréeing the vegetables beforehand. Babies have a naturally sweet tooth, so you can use sweet potatoes and vegetables such as Butternut Squash. Hand your children dried fruits instead of sweets and make stir fries, fruit smoothies and fresh fruit ice lollies.”

When you convert your child to healthier eating patterns, not only may you improve your child’s disposition, but you will also be encouraging a partiality for healthier foods that will lead them to eventually reject the less healthy options.

¹Patrick Holford http://www.patrickholford.com

Patrick Holford is Britain's leading spokesman on nutrition, food, environmental and health issues, both as presenter, interviewer and as a guest.  He also lectures to the public and health professionals throughout the world on a wide range of topics and he presents around 30 workshops and lectures a year within the UK.