Elisabeth Schafer
Professor
Food Science and Human Nutrition
Iowa State University
Copyright/Access Information
Eight years ago, a California doctor proposed that food additives
caused hyperactivity in children. Since then, the Feingold Diet
has been a hot conversation topic among nutritionists and parents.
Although some parents say the Feingold Diet helped their children,
few researchers are willing to agree that there's enough scientific
evidence to support those claims.
The National Advisory Committee on Hyperkinesis and Food Additives
reviewed all the research and concluded there was no evidence
that hyperactivity was associated with specific food additives.
But they also stated there was no reason to discourage families
who wish to use the diet. In fact, the diet may work for some
children but not because of the food additives.
There are a number of reasons why the diet may seem to calm some
children. One reason is that foods that are banned by the diet
because they include additives known as salicylates also have
high amounts of sugar. Salicylates are common in foods like candy,
pies, soft drinks, and sweet rolls. If you eliminate those foods,
you're eliminating a lot of sugar. Sugar does not contribute to
hyperactivity, but overall the child's diet is much improved (more
fruits and vegetables for example), and that could contribute
to better behavior.
Another factor is psychological expectation. If a parent thinks
the special diet will solve the problem, then he or she is likely
to look for positive changes in the child and believe the diet
is responsible.
The Feingold Diet also is strict. It's difficult for many families
to stay on it. As a result, the parents may pay more attention
to the child as well as to what he or she is eating. It's possible
this extra attention affects the child more than the diet itself.
As a result, the child's behavior improves.