30 | Sugar, Dyes and ADHD: Sifting Through the Science

Exam Room Nutrition: Where Busy Clinicians Learn About Nutrition

Send Colleen a Text Message

6 million children living in the US have been diagnosed with ADHD. Many parents want to know if there is any treatment outside of medication and behavior therapy. As a provider, you may be wondering, "is there an ADHD diet I should put them on?" "Should they cut out all sugary foods?" This episode will give you the nutrition information you need to confidently guide your patients in their child's ADHD management. Joined by an expert in the pediatric neurodivergent space, Registered Dietitian Breta Alstrom is here to give us the science behind common misconceptions about diet and ADHD.
Key Takeaways:

1. Foundations of Nutrition: We explored the fundamental pillars of nutrition for ADHD kids—focusing on fat, fiber, and protein.
2. Omega-3s : Discover the evidence supporting the inclusion of Omega-3s and explore creative ways to incorporate them into children's diets. From fish to flax and chia seeds, we've got super creative ideas.
3. Supplementation Strategies: Dive into the world of supplements, including multivitamins and the nuances of choosing the right options. Uncover the importance of personalized approaches based on individual needs.
4. Caloric Boosting Techniques: For underweight kiddos, we discussed strategies for adding calories without introducing entirely new foods. From fortified milk to Nutella banana roll-ups, find ways to make meals both nutritious and appealing.
5. Addressing Food Dyes: Delve into the debate around food dyes and their potential impact on behavior.

Connect with Colleen on Instagram:
Exam Room Nutrition IG: ➡︎@examroomnutrition
Connect with Breta:
Instagram: @the.neuro.nutritionist
Online: https://www.nourishedtogether.com/

Support the Show.

Connect with Colleen:
Instagram
LinkedIn
Sign up for the Nutrition Wrap-Up Newsletter - Nutrition hot-topics and professional growth strategies delivered to your inbox each week.

Support the show!
If you love the show and want to help me make it even better, buy me a coffee to help me keep going! ☕️
Disclaimer: This podcast is a collection of ideas, strategies, and opinions of the author(s). Its goal is to provide useful information on each of the topics shared within. It is not intended to provide medical, health, or professional consultation or to diagnosis-specific weight or feeding challenges. The author(s) advises the reader to always consult with appropriate health, medical, and professional consultants for support for individual children and family situations. The author(s) do not take responsibility for the personal or other risks, loss, or liability incurred as a direct or indirect consequence of the application or use of information provided. All opinions stated in this podcast are my own and do not reflect the opinions of my employer.

Chapters

1. The Impact of Nutrition on ADHD (00:00:00)

2. Strategies for Underweight Children With ADHD (00:04:37)

3. Nutrition for Kids With ADHD (00:10:11)

4. Multivitamins, Nutrition, and Food Dyes (00:15:55)

5. Food Dyes and Nutrition Tips (00:20:14)