1. Avoid Food Additives
Does your food contain added coloring, flavors, or preservatives? If the food you give to your child contains additives, research shows that it may contribute to learning and behavioral problems!
2. Avoid Gluten
Gluten is a blend of proteins that gives food its structure, chewiness, and texture. Gluten is found in most cereal grains. This includes wheat, rye, and barley.
It used to be that only people diagnosed with celiac disease were warned to stay away from gluten. Those with celiac disease have developed an immune response to gluten that triggers the destruction of their own cells.
However, more people are now found to be gluten sensitive than those that actually have celiac disease. The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness reports that as many as 18 million Americans—including children—are affected by something called non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Non-celiac gluten sensitivity has all the symptoms of celiac disease—which on a behavioral level includes mood swings, angry outbursts, anxiety, and depression. Non-celiac gluten sensitivity cannot be diagnosed by standard celiac testing, yet patients only respond to a gluten-free diet.
Other studies show that the proteins in gluten are pro-inflammatory.
3. Avoid Added Sugar
Added sugar is everywhere. Foods marketed to people on the go and children—like breakfast cereals and bars—often contain large quantities of added sugar. The science is clear on the deleterious affects of high fructose corn syrup on the body and its link to increased risk of obesity, diabetes, ADHD, and autoimmune conditions.
Information from Body Ecology