Food Allergies and Behavior

There is no evidence that this stuff works, but lets face it, there are two compelling reasons that parents cling to this.

One, they have actually spent money on a book, product, or program, and they see a placebo effect and need to keep seeing it to justify what they have done. Two, they really want to beleive that there is something out there that they can do on their own to control the world and bring about the best possible outcome.

I think it is obvious that if you need to argue that the established medical-pharmacitical-govenment-etc community is invlolved in a conspiriacy to keep evidence of the effective "treatment" under wraps, that the treatment is really a scam. But that is just me (and a bunch medical, pharmacitical, academic, government agency types who prefer empeirical evidence to anecdote.) That, and when I was a baby, I could not read!

M.

Are you having trouble with your kids' behavior? If not then there's no reason to start cutting things out of their diet.

Sometimes I think we have too high of expectations of our kids and we have to remember they are human beings. Some kids are going to be energetic. This does not mean they are ADHD. Some kids get frustrated easily. This doesn't mean they have anger management issues. Some kids are shy and not social. This doesn't mean they have autism. Some kids learn slowly. This does not mean they are LD.

There are very real conditions out there, and they CAN be helped by many different solutions. Therapy, drugs, natural remedies, acupuncture, diet changes etc.

Every child is different. That's why we have a variety of treatments available. So far no one has invented the "cure all!"

If you think your child has issues then by all means, explore ALL avenues for an answer. Thank your friends for their help and do your own research. I appreciate all the help I get from family, friends and mamapedia. However, in the end I am responsible, so I take all the information I receive and decide what's best.

Only YOU can decide what's right for your kids. It's not up to your friends :)

I am not old, but I certainly am "old school". I hate all this, cut out wheat, no sugar, organic stuff. As long as you are feeding your kids a healthy, balanced meal then don't worry about what the "others" are doing. People ALWAYS think they know best! I do have a son with a wheat allergy and HATE it; be happy that your children are not required to have a special diet.

I hate that feeling when everyone pulls out their snack at the park and immediately start judging. I used to try to bring the "fancy" stuff- but now I just bring what the kids (and I) like, so I had them their sugar filled juice boxes and cookies and smile.

You really just have to follow your gut. You're your kids parent, not your friends... you know the whole bridge question???

Yes dairy and wheat and (today's special feature) can all affect a person. Some good and sometimes bad. Everyone processes the foods and vitamins differently.

I noticed that if my son has one type of spaghetti he gets stomach aches, but on a different brand of spaghetti is fine. If he drinks milk for breakfast he's tired, but if he drinks it for dinner, he's revving to go...

Good luck
M.

the easiest example is sugar. think about how kids act right after they eat something with sugar in it. i knew some parents that let there little girl (4yr old) drink mountian dew!!! she was WILD. i also have had some sort of food allergie my entire life. certian foods do effect me. are your kids really wild and everyone else is trying to get you do do something to help them? or is it they just strongly belive in there way of eating. i really could care less what others are eating. i surly am only going to do what is best for my family. btw my very good friend is a diatetion (sp) and she recomends the food pyramid which is completly wrong for my diabetic hubby. not every diet is for every person.

Well, I have to say that I really think it depends what the deeper issue is to know if it works or doesn't work and that, of course, depends on every individual child. What kinds of behavior issues are you having? If your child is autistic, then I have seen major diet changes create many positive changes for the child. Also, kids who are ADHD can do better with certain diet restrictions as well. If your child is just a "normal" kid with your average issues, and you don't think changing his diet is working, then stop. It's a ton of work and money and if you don't need it don't do it. I do believe however, that if you feed you child a well balanced diet full of fresh fruits and veggies without a lot of preservatives and processed junk, they act better. Of course, with toddlers, a well balanced diet is relative and most families use some processed products, but over all I do think that staying on the healthier side makes a difference in mood and behavior, but I'm not so extreme as the friends you mentioned for sure!

I don't think you'll offend your friends if you simply say, oh we're not going that route any more. When they're over at your house, make it known that you're happy to suplly snacks that you have on hand, but if they want something specific they need to bring it.

Tell them you tried it and nothing happened but thanks for the idea. :)
We did try cutting things out of my daughter's diet because of the recent hype that is going around. Didn't work. I guess it does work for some people so everyone's experience is different and everyone seems to assume what worked for them will work for you.

The only reason I'm adamant about it is I saw with my own eyes the dramatic difference that dietary change did for one of my children (and now my other child, though less dramatically).

It still amazes me what food sensitivities do to some people.

That being said, I think different kids react to different things. And I never try to push my beliefs on anyone else in my group of friends (at least I hope I don't). An observant parent can usually gain alot of insight just by trial and error. If something hasn't worked for your child then I wouldn't worry about it.

Good luck to you!

If your childs behaviour is an issue you have nothing to lose but to try what your friends are recommending. There is truth to what your friends are talking about not to mention the health benefits. I am not one of those freaks about having to do this or that but I take care of a boy and when he has something that sets him off there is no doubt in my mind that certain foods should be avoided. Give it a try. If it doesn't work then you have proved your point and you need to find another method for behaviour issues. Good luck.

L.

Everyone, adult or child, are going to be affected by what they eat in a different way... also the way you are affected can change as you age, making you more sensitive or not sensitive to that item at all. If something sounds interesting I do a little research, if it seems reasonable & safe, I may or may not try it for myself or my child but if I do not see a difference in a month I usually move on.

Diary is limited in my diet BUT that is because I am sensitive to it and will get sick if I eat too much NOT because it is the newest diet or whatever. My daughter eats across the board everything (diary/wheat/corn/and so on) and is a healthy happy kid (even people I know well and do not know at all say that she is a very well behaved 3 almost 4 year old) and that is all the matters to me. If she is allergic to something or sensitive to it of course I will take it out of her diet BUT I will not take it out just because it is the trend. I can see if you have super hyper kids and want to see if cutting certain things out of their diet works, and sometimes it does, but it is not meant to be done for ALL kids.

The truth can be hard to find, if you can find it at all or there really may be no truth just some theory that someone came up with and it has grown from there. It also may be the case it works for some but not others. When it comes to diet my thinking is "eat healthy, have a treat here and there and do not follow the latest trend (unless it is something that you think can really help in your or families diet)."

If someone tells me something over and over again, I say "thanks for the info, but I am happy with my families diet" or I just smile and start a different discussion.

Everyone is entitled to their beliefs & has the right to raise their children in the manner they want......including you!! If you have any doubts, ask your pediatrition. Other than that, maybe you could just politely mention that you're not into "fad diets" and leave it at that.

Well one area where I don't budge is my kids and I don't care what anyone thinks or if they get offended. My MIL, who I adore, thought I should get my older son off of milk. Every time he would have anything come up, an ear infection, a cold, she would say that I needed to get him off of milk. I never said anything back but I never agreed. One day she asked me was I going to do it and I simply said, no. She asked why and I said bc I asked my dr about her theory and she had no concerns over milk and saw no connection and neither did I. That was the end of it and we still have a great relationship. Basically if someone wants to tell me all about their theories etc, that is fine, but it has no bearing on what I decide for mine. Now if they ask me what I think, I'll tell them, but otherwise I just listen and go on and do what I think is right. Of course I do ask for advice from others, or wouldn't even be on this blog:) And if I hear something that I think has validity I will check it out and ask questions, it's not like I think I am the source of all knowledge or something. But once I have made a decision or if I am simply not ready to make a decision I won't change simply from outside pressure, only if I come to the conclusion that a change is needed and I just don't care what others think especially when it comes to my kids. Good luck!!:)

I agree it is kind of a goofy thing. My daughter is REALLY allergic to some foods, as in she could die if she eats the wrong thing, so the behavior stuff is just silly in my mind. Sure, an allergic reaction is an inflamitory response, so if you have some inflamation and are feeling a little uncomfortable, it may make you act out of sorts. What we should probably worry about are all the artificial additives, which are found everywhere. People have been eating corn, wheat and dairy for centuries, so it is doubtful this is where the problem lies. Anyway, there is nothing more irritating than someone else telling you what is best for your child. ARRGH!

WOW! I sense a lot of anger in your post. Or frustration. For my family, we go all natural and it really makes a difference for us. It is a long and drawn out process to find the trigger foods, but it is worth it.

You just have to do what you feel is right for your family and not worry about that your friends think. Just say, this is what works for us. I am glad ____ is working for you.

Good Luck!

I have not tested allergic to anything, but when I eat dairy, wheat, sugar or caffeine, I get hyper and have anxiety. If my son eats sugar or artificial colors in food, he gets super hyper. I would just try it out on your son. Eliminate everything and see what happens. Then start adding stuff and see if his behavior changes. This is how I figured it out on myself. Good luck.

I think kids today are not allowed to be kids. If you are fine with your child's behavior, then do not listen to all of the unwanted advice. Smile and go on, that is what I do.

I have a very active child and I know that he needs plenty of time to run and unwind. I used to get upset because of his activity and now I embrace it! He keeps me young and healthy. We do have rules in place...i.e. no running in the house...but running outside and being loud outside is perfectly fine!
I always warn my friends that my son will need to spend plenty of time outside if he starts to act rambunctious. Most of the time, my friends are completely ok with that (especially if they also have little boys).

I really do not understand why parents want docile, robotic like children who can sit for long periods of time....To me that is unhealthy and unrealistic.

As far as food allergies are concerned, their could be some truth to it. If your children have a known food allergy, take it out of their diet. Who wants to have a runny nose, itchy skin, breathing problems or just feeling lousy because you ate something your body does not agree with? Not me and I would not want that for my child either. I can completely understand why children would act out...because they feel lousy. When I was a kid I had multiple food allergies and believe me I was one grouchy little kid if my mom did not read labels and accidentally gave me something with milk or eggs.

Good Luck to you and hang in there!