Types of Foods

• Giving a child foods that offer long lasting energy rather than short bursts that are associated with sugary cereals and sports drinks will help with hyperactivity. Green vegetables like spinach, collards and lettuce are healthy choices for any child. Meats such as chicken and fish, as well as liver, are good brain foods and help with growing and development of the brain. Peanuts, lima beans and sunflower seeds are all great choices for a hyperactive child because they offer carbohydrates that give long term energy and not spikes.
  
  

Effects of Foods on Children's Systems

• Dr. Jim Stevenson, from the University of Southampton in the U.K., published the results of his food study that looked at how food additives affected hyperactive behavior. This study found that artificial colors and sodium benzoate increased hyperactivity in preschool age kids as well as 8 and 9 year olds. With this being said, the neurotransmitters are overrun with sugar from the kids' intake and in turn it causes hyperactivity. The sugars and additives cause a rise in dopamine, which normally creates an euphoria, but in hyperactive children, it creates a higher energy level and causes hyperactivity.
  
  

Benefits of Eating Healthy

• America is known as the most obese nation in the world. The obesity is no longer simply related to adults, as children are fatter now than they have ever been in history. This is partially due to the electronics age and the availability of video games and the Internet in so many homes. The lack of physical activity has caused a tremendous impact on health. When a child eats healthy, it not only aids in proper growth and development, but also helps to cut back on hyperactive behaviors. Eating healthy helps children to have the drive and stamina to continue activity throughout the day, and also cuts back on added sugars and dyes in unhealthy foods.
  
  

Preventing Overeating

• Single serving sizes for children include ¾ of a cup of juice or 1 piece of fruit, a half cup of vegetables or 1 slice of bread. A dairy serving is 1 cup of milk, while one serving of meat is equal to 3 ozs. or the size of a deck of cards. Overeating is a problem that many parents try to catch early on. Some children may ask for more food simply out of a request for attention from a parent. A parent knows how much their child normally eats, and should adjust serving sizes for that child. This does not mean that any child should eat double the recommended serving sizes, but some children have healthier appetites than others.
  
  

Warnings

• Although it is important to help cut back on the hyperactive behaviors, it is more important to have a balanced and healthy diet for growing children. Varying vegetables as well as eating 3 servings of fruit a day with calcium rich foods like cheese and yogurt are important to growing children. Meats and beans should be lean, with little fat and they should be cooked thoroughly. Whole grain breads and cereals or crackers are suggested along with whole grain pastas. Even though oils are not a food group, omega fatty acids are important for good health and can be found in fish such as tuna, as well as in peanut butter.