ADHD (also called attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) is a health disorder having mainly two parts, an inability to remain attentive and problem concentrating on simple tasks.

It is frequently challenging for somebody with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder to remain calm. A lot of people suffering from ADHD also do things impetuously -- acting before thought. Some additional symptoms associated with ADHD are experiencing anxiety or depression, possessing pessimistic thoughts, and insomnia. ADHD affects youngsters, teenagers as well as adults.

There is no "remedy" for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Nevertheless, medication and behavioral therapy are prescribed for a lot of ADHD patients. What are prescribed diets for ADHD? Do they really help? Are there foods that should be eaten -- and foods to be avoided? This article attempts to resolve doubts about ADHD diets, like elimination diets, additional supplements, and food items that may help subdue ADHD associated symptoms.

What Is an ADHD specific diet?

Ideally, an ADHD specific diet would help the brain function better and subdue symptoms of the disorder, like restlessness or lack of attention. A diet could include the food items and any additional supplements. ADHD diets may be classified as:

Overall Nutrition: This is inclusive of the normal food that is consumed each day. Some food items eaten on a daily basis may make ADHD symptoms either improve or worsen. It is also possible that some food items that could improve ADHD symptoms might be completely missing from the patient's diet.

Supplement Diets: This form of diets is based on the assumption that some essential vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are missing from the ADHD patient's normal diet. These nutrients are prescribed in slightly higher quantities than normally consumed.

Elimination Diets: This class of diets aims at removing suspect food items which the patient may be consuming, leading to aggravation of the symptoms of ADHD.

Plenty of health experts believe that patients' diets may relieve ADHD symptoms, though not completely cure it.

Diets rich in proteins like beans, cheese, eggs, milk, meat, and nuts are found to be beneficial. Morning and evening meals rich in protein are found to be especially effective in controlling the symptoms for longer durations, also improving the effectiveness of medicines taken for ADHD. Consuming simple carbohydrates or most of the extremely sweet food items, like various candies, corn syrup, bee-honey, common sugar, in addition to items cooked from white refined flour, white rice, skinned potatoes etc. are found to adversely affect ADHD patients, making them more restless.

Diets containing more complex carbohydrates, like boiled vegetables and specific fruits like oranges, pears, grapes, apples kiwi etc. basically all sweet fruits. Having complex carbohydrates at night may help in sleeping. Diets rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, like tuna, salmon, walnuts, olive oil etc. are usually advised. Omega-3 fatty acids are also available in the form of dietary supplements.