Kids With ADHD: Effect of Sugary foods.

@efevotu1988
My son has ADHD and a teenager now.

Sugary drinks and foods can definitely add to the hyperactivity. You also need to be careful to avoid artificial food dyes like Red 3 and Red 40 which are known to worsen symptoms.

1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350889
2. https://childmind.org/guide/parents-guide-to-adhd/
3. https://childmind.org/article/preschoolers-and-adhd/
4. https://www.cdc.gov/adhd/treatment/index.html
5. https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/2022/03/14/understanding-adhd-in-the-early-years/
6. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=attention-deficithyperactivity-disorder-adhd-in-children-90-P02552
7. https://chadd.org/for-parents/preschoolers-and-adhd/
8. https://www.healthline.com/health/adhd/parenting-an-adhd-child-age-by-age

@efevotu1988 Absolutely, sugary foods can add to the symptoms in sensitive kids, making them miserable because they don't understand the connection between behavior and food, and why they can''t slow down their body or mind.
Be kind and keep snacks that don't contribute. Something to consider - foods that are highly processed starches can act just like sugar. For example, plain pretzels seem innocent, but are better served with a little protein like cheese or dipped in peanut butter.

Here are things we offer - corn chips - baked or "light" - with or without dip or salsa, whole grain crackers with cheese or peanut butter (these are also available prepackaged), carrot sticks, peppers, radishes, tomatoes, fizzy water instead of juice/juice boxes, koolaid or soda, corn tortillas or pita bread rolled up with hummus, meat or cheese.

Also, we find a little sugar after a meal, on a full stomach, is less problematic than as a snack, so ice cream or a cookie are offered then.