For some people with ADHD, mild stimulants such as caffeine and theobromine (a bitter chemical from the cocoa plant and present in chocolate) have similar effects to the more powerful drugs commonly used in treating the disorder.
ADHD Symptoms May Be Caused by Food Sensitivities
Some of the common foods that can cause ADHD reactions include milk, chocolate, soy, wheat, eggs, beans, corn, tomatoes, grapes, and oranges.
Chocolate is appealing to ADHD brains because it increases glucose and has the added stimulation of caffeine. It is no wonder that those with ADHD struggle with diet and nutrition.
Dark Chocolate
Kids with ADHD are also advised to consume foods rich in zinc and magnesium. Both of these minerals are essential in bettering ADHD symptoms.
Foods rich in protein — lean beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, soy, and low-fat dairy products — can have beneficial effects on ADHD symptoms. Protein-rich foods are used by the body to make neurotransmitters, the chemicals released by brain cells to communicate with each other.
Stretch, jump, go up and down the stairs, walk around the block – anything to release pent-up energy. Exercise produces feel-good hormones, such as endorphins, that help us destress and relax. To make moving a priority, schedule a walk with a friend whose conversation you enjoy and whose energy is uplifting.
Why? Sugar and other high carb foods boost dopamine levels in the brain, leading us to crave them more often when dopamine levels are low. Since children with ADHD have chronically low levels of dopamine, they are more likely than other children to crave and eat sugary or carbohydrate-heavy foods.
Kids with ADHD are also advised to consume foods rich in zinc and magnesium. Both of these minerals are essential in bettering ADHD symptoms. Bananas are another great source of zinc and magnesium. They are also a great evening snack.
Drinking Enough Water
Dehydration can also cause focus issues, potentially making ADHD symptoms worse. Try to drink sufficient plain water, sparkling water, or flavored water throughout the day to feel hydrated.
In addition to genetics, scientists are studying other possible causes and risk factors including: Brain injury. Exposure to environmental risks (e.g., lead) during pregnancy or at a young age. Alcohol and tobacco use during pregnancy.
The ADHD brain has been described as an “interest-based nervous system”: It seeks high-stimulation situations, stronger incentives, and more immediate rewards, which trigger a quick and intense release of dopamine and with it a rush of motivation. Hyperfocus. Dopamine is the brain's most intense reward.
Many diets lack omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential and research shows can help people improve their ADHD symptoms. You can increase omega-3 fatty acids by adding tuna, salmon, other cold-water white fish, walnuts, Brazil nuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, and olive and canola oil in your diet.
For ADHD children, the best diet is to limit dairy products such as cheese or yogurt. These foods also have a high sugar content (lactose), so ADHD symptoms are worsened by excess amounts of lactose which causes irritability and hyperactivity.
Add a Daily Dose of Nuts and Chocolate. Nuts and seeds are good sources of the antioxidant vitamin E, which has been linked in some studies to less cognitive decline as you age. Dark chocolate also has other powerful antioxidant properties, and it contains natural stimulants like caffeine, which can enhance focus.
For kids with ADHD — and all other kids, too — snacks should contain protein, which helps with memory and learning, Mangieri says. One classic idea: peanut butter (an excellent source of protein) on whole-wheat bread (for fiber).
Sugar Activates the Dopamine System
Because the dopamine system is already severely dysregulated in ADHD, sugar's ability to activate it might lead to a kind of self-medicating behavior where people with ADHD consume sugary foods or drinks in order to compensate for low dopamine levels.
Other sleep problems reportedly associated with ADHD in children and/or adults include early and middle insomnia, nocturnal awakening, nocturnal activity, snoring, breathing difficulties, restless sleep, parasomnias, nightmares, daytime sleepiness, delayed sleep phase, short sleep time and anxiety around bedtime ( ...
The sugar in candy, soft drinks, and fruit juices can cause dysregulation in the brain. Specifically, sugar stimulates dopamine in the brain, as well as opioid receptors, which causes cravings for it. For those with ADHD, sugar intake should be monitored closely since it can make ADHD symptoms worse.
Foods rich in protein — lean beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, beans, nuts, soy, and low-fat dairy products — may have beneficial effects on ADHD symptoms.
How do you treat ADHD without medication? For adults with ADHD, cognitive behavioral therapies help to reduce distractibility and improve organizational skills. Also, teaching relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, and guided imagery is helpful.