Diet in ADHD: improvement with an oligoantigenic diet | NDR.de – Guide

Basically, ADHD cannot be cured by changing your diet. However, symptoms may improve, so less medication may be needed.

Treatment for ADHD should be individually tailored to the affected person. This also applies to food. In the long term, affected individuals should always avoid only foods to which they are intolerant or which worsen ADHD symptoms. The reason: If you constantly avoid overeating, you no longer supply your body with all the necessary nutrients – there is a risk of malnutrition. This is especially true for affected individuals taking ADHD medications, which often have an appetite-reducing effect. You risk losing weight and possibly being underweight.

Oligoantigenic diet may improve ADHD symptoms

The nutritional approach to ADHD is the so-called oligoantigenic diet. Oligoantigen refers to certain substances in food that often cause intolerance – these substances should be avoided.

Dietary change in ADHD in two phases

Since the substances that aggravate symptoms are individually different, diet change in ADHD is divided into two phases:

1. Over a period of four weeks (omission phase), all potentially problematic foods are completely eliminated: cow’s milk and cow’s milk products, eggs, fish, soy, nuts, cereals containing gluten and any type of additives. This means, for example, colorings or sweeteners, as they are often contained in processed meat and sausage products, ready meals and fast food. Only foods with low allergenic potential are allowed: i.e. most types of vegetables and fruit, gluten-free cereals and potatoes, milk alternatives and white meat – as naturally as possible .
2. Eggs, fish, etc. are then added to the diet one at a time – two weeks apart – and the body’s reactions are carefully observed. You keep a food diary.

With ADHD, pay attention to a regular, varied and low-sugar diet

Well-tolerated foods can regularly return to the menu. Warning: Intolerances can disappear during life or new ones can appear!

In principle, that is to say permanently, ADHD should definitely be reduced in foods that are highly processed with additives and foods that are too sweet. A meal structure as regular as possible with three main meals and – depending on the needs (especially small children and those who are underweight) – two snacks between meals also ensures more balance.

Eat healthy with ADHD

A lack of appetite as well as irregular and one-sided meals can lead to long-term susceptibility to infections, and the omega index can also deteriorate – that is, the intake of omega-3 fatty acids. According to nutritionist Matthias Riedl, these are particularly important for the psyche and our behavior. In addition, these fatty acids serve as cellular building blocks for general regeneration. If you are not allowed or do not like to eat fish, you will find it mainly in algal oil.

Anti-inflammatory antioxidants are found in vegetables and fruits (note compatibility). Sweets should rarely be on the menu because sugar provides a lot of energy and can have an inflammatory effect in large amounts.

What to eat with ADHD in the release phase? groceries and recipes

Eating with ADHD: Here you will find suitable recipes and food lists (also available for download) for the four-week break phase.