Finding Peace with the Feingold Diet
Read more articles on Health and Parenting and Healthy Eating.March 1, 2007
Posted by MarySmithCO
March 1, 2007
Posted by MarySmithCO
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The Feingold Diet as treatment for ADD, ADHD, Eczema, bedwetting, asthma, ear infections and more
More children are being diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, asthma and autism now than ever before. Some parents have turned to a three-decade old treatment rather than newer drug therapies to address not only the symptoms but the disorders themselves. The Feingold Diet was introduced in the 1970s to help children suffering from hyperactivity (later found to be a contributing factor to ADHD). It is a food restrictive diet.
Feingold Diet Plan for ADHD
The premise of the Feingold diet for ADHD is a belief that an allergic reaction is the main cause of Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity Disorder. By eliminating all foods that contain artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, Aspartame and the artificial preservatives BHA, BHT and TBHQ, the Feingold diet claims that at least 75% of ADHD children on the diet will see marked improvement of their symptoms.
After some time on the diet, Feingold ADHD dieters begin to slowly add new foods back into their meals to determine which foods trigger an allergic reaction (hyperactivity/attention deficit.)
The Feingold Diet Key
The absolute key to success on this food plan is to stick to the Feingold diet food list. Eliminated foods include apples, almonds, grapes, all foods containing FD&C and D&C food coloring, aspirin and most foods containing salicylate like dates, curry powder, coffee, tea, honey, peppermint, tomato sauce, tomato paste, pickles and plums.
The Feingold diet list of foods to avoid is long during the first stage and a keen eye on labels is extremely important. Even the most common foods, like corn flakes and milk, must be scrutinized.
Getting on the Feingold Diet
The Feingold diet is offered through the Feingold Association of the United States. Program materials include a food list and shopping guide, Feingold member book, handbook, medical needs booklet, recipes, a two week menu, diet diary, fast food guide, membership to a newsletter, access to a members-only section to the Feingold diet website for additional support, help line access and product updates.
Periodic Feingold weight loss clinics and conferences help to explain the diet plan and food lists for special needs and general weight loss. On the Feingold diet website you can look up dates and locations of upcoming clinics and conferences as well as purchase the diet program materials.
Copyright © 2006
Terms & Conditions
I wanted to clarify a few things that Mary Smith said about the Feingold diet. This program goes back many more years than she said. It was once called the Kaiser-Permanente diet and was used as an allergy treatment. When Dr. Feingold saw the link between diet and behavior, he wrote a popular book called Why My Child is Hyperactive. It was then that the media coined the “Feingold diet.” Today it is called the Feingold Program.
For information, go to www.feingold.org
Now and then there are seminars or speaking engagements regarding the Feingold Program but the Feingold Association, a support group, does not hold “clinics.”
The concern for those with behaviorial reactions is sensitivities, not allergies as the immune system is not involved.
Finally, it is not a weight loss program.