Some of the most commonly eaten foods by Americans and people around the world are unknowingly hurting their focus and possibly aggravating their ADHD symptoms.
By avoiding these foods you will be able to have a boost of focus and energy while also living a healthier life in various different ways as these foods can make us gain weight, be toxic, and possibly decrease our life span; Just because an item is easily found over the counter does not mean it is good for us.
1)Are Microwave Popcorn and Movie Popcorn Good Choices?
Most people are unaware of the fact that most brands of microwave popcorn contain trans fat. According to some doctors, the way that trans fats can possibly have a negative effect on ADHD is from trans fat’s ability to lessen the amounts of the essential fat named DHA in our brain. Some people misunderstand that when a nutrient is considered “essential” it is more than just important, as without it we cannot survive. If we don’t receive any in our body we develop a deficiency of the building blocks we need to do various functions, including for our brain. If we don’t want to see an overall decrease in intelligence and overall focus we may want to lay off these versions of popcorn and make sure we are buying a brand that does not contain trans fat.
2)Peanut Butter
Many people think that peanut butter is good for them, but unfortunately, there is a dirty secret to the peanut butter you are probably buying at the grocery store. If you are not actively seeking the trans-fat-free brand there is a very high likelihood your food is slowly poisoning you in various ways and also possibly contributing to your ADHD. When a product has trans fats it is not labeled as “trans fats” on the label, instead trans fats will begin with the prefix “partially hydrogenated.” It is important to note that not all peanut butter contains trans fats as labels marked “natural” usually don’t contain it. Unfortunately even some of the brands that promote themselves as natural sneak this ingredient in there. For this reason, we must be sure to check the label before buying it as trans fat can shorten the length of our life and negatively affect our brain function.
3)White Bread is More Harmful Than You Think
White bread is even higher on the glycemic index than table sugar meaning it can be just as bad, if not worse for our health. When food is considered highly glycemic it means that it causes fluctuations in our insulin levels which can give us inconsistent amounts of energy and focus. Examples of low-glycemic carbohydrates that can help us focus better are foods like brown rice, quinoa, and green vegetables. One of the most common lunch and snack foods for both children and adults is peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches combine white bread and jelly which contain both a large amount of highly glycemic carbohydrates and also very often contain trans fat, it is an example of one of the worst foods for someone battling ADHD.
4)Candy on this List Probably Doesn’t Surprise You
Candy is a guilty pleasure that has no benefits for our health. Not only is candy high in sugar contributing to ADHD, it also contains various different artificial ingredients including food dyes which some now think contribute to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. In fact, one study done by the United Kingdom Foods Standards Agency found when they gave children drinks that contained these food dyes that the children who did not receive the dyes were able to focus better. By sticking to natural foods it allows us to stay clear of the most harmful food additives.
5)Regular And Diet Soda Can Hurt Focus
Soda is another example of a food (drink) that can negatively affect ADHD in various different ways. Many brands of soda contain sugar and food dyes which have already been previously written about in this article for their negative attributes for ADHD. Most diet sodas contain a toxic chemical named Aspartame which many people now believe is an aggravating factor in ADHD. Aspartame breaks down into methanol which is an illegal drug and also into phenylalanine which can disrupt dopamine production in our brain which controls memory, attention, and problem-solving. Prescription medications like Adderall work by function of increasing dopamine, by ingesting diet soda we can possibly damage our supply of this important neurotransmitter and thus negatively impact brain function. In small amounts phenylalanine is safe as it is sold as a dietary supplement, excessive use may cause some side effects.
By avoiding these foods and instead getting our nutrition through natural foods that are low in glycemic carbs, and essential fats, and by eating enough protein we can possibly boost our focus and energy levels while also helping our health in many ways. It is important to read the label of over-the-counter items we buy and consume to check for nutritional value as knowledge is power when it comes to properly planning our diet.
We just wanted to let you know that all the information provided above is for general information purposes. Please consult an expert for better guidance.
