How to Treat ADHD With a Gluten-Free Diet

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactive disorder, is an increasingly common problem among school-aged children. Marked by symptoms such as an inability to concentrate or sit still for prolonged periods of time, ADHD can certainly have an adverse affect on the learning environment. A study published in the November 2006 edition of the Journal of Attention Disorders found that a gluten-free diet may help with the symptoms of ADHD, as individuals so affected often have impaired ability to digest this common protein.

Instructions

ADHD Diet

1

Remove all of the common gluten-containing grains from your diet. This includes common grains such as wheat, rye and barley, but it also includes a number of relatively obscure grains such as millet, matzo, bulgar, durham, kasha, kamut and graham flour. According to the Mayo Clinic, while oats do not contain gluten, they are often produced at facilities that also handle wheat, so you should strive to avoid their consumption as well.

2

Remove consumption of all types of foods that contain or are likely to contain any of the aforementioned grains. This includes most common foods like soups, gravy, sauces, breads, pastas, rolls, cake, pie, soup, crackers, processed or imitation meats and beer. Always check ingredient lists for the presence of any of the target grains, along with inquiring online to determine whether a product is truly gluten-free before consuming it. Additionally, many items are labeled "gluten-free," but do not assume the product contains gluten just because it does not carry this label. Always inquire in depth to keep gluten totally out of your diet.

3

Base your diet around consumption of seafood, chicken, turkey, eggs and other forms of lean protein, along with fruits, vegetables and gluten-free grains. Purchase gluten-free types of flour that serve as a useful substitution for most flour-containing recipes. Rice, montina, garbanzo, cassava and tapioca are some of the gluten-free grains which you should look to in order to round out your gluten free diet for ADHD.