Recently someone sent me some links about research indicating that food and a child’s diet affect their behavior. I felt I had to add my two cents worth this subject having been something I’ve been looking at and researching for a very long time.
It has long been my theory that children get ‘hyper’ because they are basically starving for the nutrients they need for building the body which is crying out for what it needs. A growing body needs a tremendous amount of micro-nutrients like trace elements, good protein, complex carbohydrates, and pure water to build all those bones, tissues, and organs, not to mention a healthy brain. If you have ever seen a malnourished child acting out, you have seen the body being angry and trying to survive by bursts of energy and fight or flight reactions. It’s one step in the starving process – a last minute impulse to overcome barriers and get what it needs.
The current treatment for this mislabeled (in my opinion) disease or disorder – ADHD – is one of the many stimulants on the market which are actually controlled substances otherwise like amphetamines otherwise called ‘Speed”.
When you give them these psych drugs made of ‘speed’ (Amphetamines and stimulants thttps://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/Pages/Determining-ADHD-Medication-Treatments.aspxhis ) this totally bypass their natural defenses and alters their metabolism and everything else in growing bodies. This then becomes another addiction. If you don’t believe me, ask your kids the going rate for Ritalin, Adderall, Dexedrine (Dex), Concerta, Focalin, etc. are in the underground for drugs within the school networks of kids. Kids are trading these prescription medications because they are basically addictive drugs without the label ‘prescription’.
The kids are addicted to sugar mostly from a young age. It has long been fed into the processed foods and fast foods in our country for about 50 years to make them taste better, and add that extra ‘eat more’ ingredient making them more attractive to the buying public.
Sugar was considered a ‘controlled substance’ in Japan in the 1600’s because it was recognized back then how addictive it was. (See the book “Sugar Blues”) Still is. The body thinks sugar is Vit. C but when it doesn’t pay out the nutrients the body needs, it keeps thinking it needs more and more. Just my observation. Cut the processed sugars out of kids diets, supplement them with about 2 mg of copper gluconate (boosts metabolism)/day (recommended on the research I’ve read from my Naturopath), which helps with energy, and get those kids on REAL FOOD and you give their growing bodies what they need – leading to calmer behavior, better physical performance, and health. What does that mean? Eating organic whole grains, pasture feed meats and eggs, organic vegs (preferably from your own garden), and if they have to have something sweet, use stevia and make your cookies with that not sugar. Watch them start to revive. Like with any addiction at first there will be a reaction of ‘coming down’ like coming off Heroin or other addictive substances, and the kid is going to try going behind your back to get their sugar fix, and will protest like mad. It isn’t easy. Like taking their cell phones away (another kind of addiction) but you will start to see an improvement in their health, their weight if they are overweight (sugar is a big appetite stimulant leading to over weight), and their moods once they get outside of the influence.
I know going all organic and pasture fed is more expensive, making food from scratch from raw or whole ingredients takes more time, and not everyone is going to be able to afford this kind of diet but there are some good solutions. You can do a lot of trading, and buying in bulk with a little neighborhood coop. Also, having a garden is a terrific way to get organic vegs growing. That isn’t free but you know what is in the food, and the taste is so much better than bland store bought vegs.
You can purchase a whole or half steer from a local pasture fed grower rather than buying it in expensive specialty stores or grocery. In this area I know several farmers who offer these deals. Go to your local farmers markets, get to know the vendors who are your local growers, and see what you can create. There are also CSAs (Community Subscription Agriculture – basically weekly or biweekly deliverance of locally grown produce). This also helps the local farmers stay in business and provide real food to the community.
I’m 78. Growing up my mother always had a big garden, and in the 40s and 50s all food was basically organically grown or mostly was. The kids back then almost never were fat, had energy all day but not frantic energy, and we did great in school without drugs. I can’t remember ever seeing kids ‘act out’ then. We drank our whole milk at lunch,brought our sandwiches and fruit from home, and if there was a desert, it was home made. What happened? Modern food with all the additives, chemicals in the growing process, preservatives and food additives for flavor to replace the real flavor good food has. These set up hidden food allergies which are behavior influencing. We were so much healthier and better behaved.
I want to see this generation grow up healthy, in good mental order, and not strung out on the drugs and sugar diet of today’s usual. BTW this is not a criticism of the parents. They are all struggling to keep the mortgage paid, keep up with inflation, and trying to do their best. But with a bit of guidance and the real knowledge about our food system, they can make better choices and find ways to improve their kid’s health long range. These are my opinions based on a great deal of research and observations. I am not a doctor or official in any capacity, just a woman who has seen a lot of the world and taken the time and attention to observe. I wish the best for all of you. I hope this helps.
The Garden Lady of Georgia 