What to Eat When You Have ADHD

If you’re struggling with ADHD symptoms you’ve likely wondered if your diet is helping or harming. It’s true that your diet can play an important role in how you feel in general and specifically in mitigating your ADHD symptoms. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the recommended diet for ADHD symptom relief as well as foods you should avoid and how to find out if what you’re experiencing is truly ADHD.

Besides having a healthy diet, understanding your symptoms and having a proper diagnosis of your mental health is also important. The providers on Klarity are licensed and certified to diagnose your ADHD symptoms and prescribe ADHD medication if applicable. They’ll discuss your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan that works well for you.

Schedule an appointment with one of the licensed medical professionals on Klarity and get started on your journey to effectively manage your symptoms.

What Is ADHD?

ADHD is a neurobiological disorder that, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, is found in 4.4% of adults in the United States. It is typified by forgetfulness, distractibility, and a number of other symptoms that make it difficult to maintain daily life. 

There are three major types of ADHD: Inattentive, the symptoms of which include an inability to focus and forgetfulness; Hyperactive, which is typified by impulsiveness and not being able to sit still; and Combined, which is the most common and consists of a combination of symptoms from the other two types.

Does Diet Affect ADHD?

It only makes sense: what you put in your body can have a profound effect on brain function. According to the Cambridge University Press, the “more one eats a…highly-processed diet, the more one is at risk of developing psychiatric symptoms,” but “the more one eats a Mediterranean-style diet, the more one is protected from developing a mental disorder.”

While there is no clear scientific evidence that the foods you eat cause ADHD, studies have shown that maintaining a proper diet may have an effect on your ADHD symptoms. While medication and therapy are the most important components in your struggle with ADHD, diet can play an important role as well.

We’ve compiled a list of suggestions to help you make good decisions that can complement your ADHD treatment and therapy.

Foods that May Help Your ADHD Symptoms

High-Protein Foods

When you eat high-protein foods your body creates neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters help the brain cells communicate with each other, and they play a role in healthy brain function, which can help alleviate ADHD symptoms. High-protein foods include lean beef, poultry, pork, fish, beans, nuts, soy, eggs, and low-fat dairy products.

Incorporate high-protein foods into your regular diet. Try to include them as part of breakfast so your neurotransmitter level remains consistent throughout the day. Proteins also help prevent sugar spikes and dips so you’ll experience fewer changes in mood. Making sure that you eat high-protein foods can help you regulate your symptoms and can make a significant difference in your overall health.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruit and vegetable consumption is linked to both physical and mental health. In a study conducted by Social Science and Medicine panel data from the UK that data suggest that “mental well-being responds…to increases in both the quantity and the frequency of fruits and vegetables consumed.”

Many fruits and vegetables contain natural antioxidants called polyphenols. These antioxidants help prevent compounds called free radicals that fuse to healthy cells and damage their DNA and proteins. 

If there is an imbalance between antioxidants and free radicals in your system you suffer from a typical bodily process known as oxidative stress. This occurs in everyone on a regular basis. Researchers believe there may be a connection between oxidative stress and brain function, and relieving oxidative stress may improve ADHD symptoms.

Complex Carbohydrates

As with other healthy foods, complex carbohydrates play an important role in overall health along with mental health. They are the principal fuel for both the brain and muscles. Including them as a regular part of your diet can contribute to a lower risk of heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and obesity. 

There are also considerable benefits to mental health.The ADHD brain is marked by imbalance, and the consumption of complex carbohydrates can help you maintain a mental balance and can possibly reduce the severity of ADHD symptoms. 

Vitamins and Minerals that May Help Your ADHD Symptoms

Maintaining a healthy diet that helps address ADHD symptoms means making healthy food choices, but can also include vitamins and minerals that have been associated with mental wellness.

These vitamins and minerals can be found in food sources, but supplementation can help you maintain a healthy balance in your bloodstream. Be sure to discuss adding any supplement to your diet with your doctor to ensure it won’t interact with your medications or potentially cause any unforeseen health issues.

Multivitamins

Physical and mental health depends on maintaining a proper level of vitamins and nutrients. While there is no definite proof that taking multivitamins directly affects ADHD symptoms, addressing overall health is important in managing ADHD.

A small-scale study reported by BBC News indicated that after 8 weeks of treatment, adults with ADHD given a multivitamin experienced greater improvements in both inattentiveness and hyperactivity than those given a placebo. While multivitamins are no substitute for ADHD medication, they can play a role in maintaining overall mental health and managing symptoms.

B Vitamins

B vitamins are essential components in maintaining a healthy body and mind. Along with having a direct impact on metabolism and energy levels, B vitamins play an important role in maintaining mental health as well. While most people are able to get adequate levels of B vitamins in their diet, there can be deficiencies that can impact overall health.

Studies have shown that vitamin B-6, taken in conjunction with magnesium, can have a direct impact on ADHD symptoms. 

Zinc, Iron, and Magnesium

Zinc – Studies referenced by ADDitude indicate that people with ADHD may have lower levels of zinc in the bloodstream. Adding zinc supplements to your diet may help reduce hyperactivity and impulsivity (but have no impact on inattentiveness).

It’s important to consult with your doctor before adding zinc supplements to your diet, as too much can be toxic and can cause side effects of its own.

Iron – Studies have indicated that a childhood iron deficiency can contribute to increased ADHD symptoms such as inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Another study showed an association between iron deficiency anemia and psychiatric disorders.

You can get iron in your diet by eating iron-rich foods such as beef or chicken liver and oysters. You can also obtain additional dietary iron by taking supplements. As always, be sure to consult with your doctor before adding iron supplements to your diet.

Magnesium – In a study referenced by ZRT Laboratory 72% of children and adolescents with ADHD were found to have magnesium deficiencies. The magnesium-deficient children were separated into two groups, with one given magnesium supplements in addition to ADHD treatment. That group showed significant improvements in ADHD symptoms including hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattentiveness.

Magnesium can be found in many foods, including green leafy vegetables, legumes, whole wheat, and nuts and seeds. Magnesium is also available in supplements, often combined with vitamin B-6 which aids in absorption. Consult with your doctor to determine the best and safest dose.  

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

There have been several studies establishing a connection between Omega-3 fatty acids and ADHD symptoms. In studies referenced by ADDitude, children with ADHD had blood levels with a 38% lower amount of omega-3s than those without the disorder. In addition, supplementing with omega-3s has been shown to decrease inattention and hyperactivity.

Omega-3s are found in fatty fish like tuna and salmon, so it’s recommended that you add those to your diet 2-3 times per week. You can also take an omega-3 supplement, but before you add a supplement to your regimen be sure to consult with your physician.

Foods that ADHD Sufferers Should Avoid

There are a number of foods that may exacerbate ADHD symptoms. These are foods that are typically considered unhealthy in general and should be limited if not entirely eliminated from your diet.

High-Sugar Foods

While sugar or anything else in your diet can’t cause ADHD, excessive sugar can exacerbate ADHD symptoms. Those with ADHD should remove or significantly reduce high-sugar foods in their diets.

You should look out for all forms of sugar, including high fructose corn syrup. ADHD dieticians recommend reducing or eliminating soda and other foods and drinks with a lot of sugar.

Dyes and Preservatives

According to Scientific American studies analyzed by prominent researchers certain food dyes and preservatives exacerbate ADHD symptoms, especially hyperactivity. While you should limit any highly-processed food from your diet, pay special attention to food dyes and preservatives.

Simple Carbohydrates

Simple carbohydrates break down rapidly in the body, which spikes blood sugar and insulin. This leads to an initial burst of energy that may increase ADHD symptoms such as hyperactivity, followed by a crash that can result in an increase in inattentiveness.

While simple carbohydrates can be found in natural foods such as fruit and milk, most simple carbs are found in processed foods like white flour and sugar. Try to include more complex carbohydrates, such as oatmeal, whole grain breads, and legumes which take longer for the body to process and release energy more slowly and efficiently.

Caffeine and ADHD

Caffeine and ADHD medications have a complex relationship. Caffeine, being a stimulant, increases dopamine levels which have a positive effect on moderating ADHD symptoms. However, in higher doses, caffeine can exacerbate ADHD medications’ side effects, such as insomnia, and stomach issues.

Caffeine has different effects in different people, so you may feel no improvement in your ADHD symptoms associated with consumption.

As with anything included in your diet, you should enjoy caffeine in moderation. 400mg per day is a moderate dose. 400mg is the approximate amount of caffeine found in 2 cups of coffee. Caffeine is also found in soda and chocolate, so along with limiting those for having high sugar levels you should keep an eye out for caffeine.

Find Out If You Have ADHD

Watching your diet is only part of managing ADHD symptoms. If you suspect you have ADHD, don’t wait any longer to find out. Meet with a licensed medical professional to receive a professional diagnosis and personalized treatment.

Contact Klarity for Online ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment

While adjusting your diet may provide symptom relief, it could also do nothing, or worse, make symptoms more unbearable. It’s best to consult with a healthcare provider about the best way to treat your ADHD.

At Klarity, we make it easy. We’ll connect you with a licensed healthcare provider online within 48 hours. No more waiting to find the answer to symptom relief.

Schedule an appointment with one of the licensed medical professionals on Klarity to get the proper treatment for your ADHD symptoms.