Nutrition & Child Behavior
Food is medicine, and what goes into a child's developing body is an integral part of that child's health and well-being. The ingredients, vitamins and minerals that enter children's bodies can can have a profound effect on their mood and behavior. Knowing what to feed a child can make the difference between a healthy child and a sick one. A trusted pediatrician or licensed nutritionist are the best sources for parents with questions about their child's diet.
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Sugar
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Sugar consumption can cause irritability in children. Children are hard-wired to love sugar, and many of the foods they are drawn to contain refined sugar, which is a nutritionally empty food. Refined sugar causes an increased level of blood sugar, followed by a drastic drop. When the blood sugar level falls, so does the child's mood. The child may become irritable or sleepy when her blood sugar levels are low. When consuming treats with refined sugar in them, adding a fat or fiber will help the bloodstream absorb the sugar more slowly and stabilize the child's mood.
Preservatives and Additives
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Processed foods contain preservatives that may affect behavior in children. Certain food additives are linked to hyperactivity in children. These additives can be found in processed foods that many American families consume on a daily basis. Experts haven't pinpointed which additives may cause an increased level of hyperactivity, but they have linked such behavior to sodium benzoate, FD&C Yellow No. 6, D&C Yellow No. 10, FD&C Yellow No. 5 and FD&C Red No. 40. Pediatricians and dietitians recommend diets for children that limit processed foods.
Food Sensitivity and Allergies
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Food allergies may cause irritability in children. Children diagnosed with food allergies may experience irritability and physical symptoms such as upset stomach, cramping, eczema and hives. The most common foods that cause allergies are cow's milk, eggs, wheat, peanuts, tree nuts, and soy. Parents can omit these foods and substitute a healthy alternative for an allergic child. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, leafy greens and canned fish are high in calcium, and legumes and grains can replace eggs in a child's diet. The academy recommends careful label-reading to identify the presence of peanuts and tree nuts, consumption of which by persons allergic to them can be fatal.
Foods Affect Moods
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Chocolate is a mood-boosting treat. Chemical messengers called neurotransmitters are responsible for sending thoughts and actions along neural pathways in the brain. Food causes changes in neurotransmitter activity, and changes in neurotransmitters affect a person's mood. Complex carbohydrates tend to have a calming effect because they keep blood sugar stable. Foods such as milk, chicken, bananas and leafy green vegetables release dopamine, a chemical that produces pleasant feelings. Milk, chicken and bananas also contain tryptophan, which has a relaxing effect. Other foods that contain tryptophan include oats, red meat and chickpeas. Many scientists believe chocolate is a mood-booster due to its caffeine content and its phenylethylamine compounds, which may stimulate serotonin and endorphins.
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