DeepSummary
The podcast host Rhiannon Lambert interviews nutritionist Claire Thornton Wood about ADHD and how diet can impact focus and symptoms. They discuss how regulating blood sugar levels by eating carbohydrates regularly can help maintain focus, as the brain uses 20% of the body's energy from glucose. While the restrictive Feingold diet excluding additives hasn't been scientifically proven effective, omega-3 supplements may provide some benefit alongside other treatments.
They explain ADHD symptoms like inattentiveness, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which often go undiagnosed in adults. Medication like methylphenidate can aid focus but reduce appetite, so dietetic strategies like eating nutrient-dense meals, fortifying foods, and timing medication around mealtimes are recommended. The impact on families and need for professional guidance with dietary changes is also highlighted.
The episode covers listener questions on avoiding trigger foods, diet during pregnancy, distinguishing fact from fiction regarding ADHD dietary claims, and keeping a food/mood diary to identify personal triggers. The key takeaway is maintaining a balanced diet as a foundation, consulting professionals for any restrictions, and being cautious of overly restrictive elimination diets.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Regulating blood sugar levels by eating carbohydrates regularly can help maintain focus and brain function.
- Omega-3 supplements may provide some benefit for ADHD alongside other treatments.
- Medications for ADHD like methylphenidate can reduce appetite, so dietetic strategies like nutrient-dense meals and timing medication around eating are recommended.
- Maintain a balanced diet as a foundation for overall health, rather than promoting overly restrictive elimination diets.
- Consult professionals like dietitians before making any major dietary restrictions or changes.
- Keep a food and mood diary to help identify potential trigger foods that may impact ADHD symptoms personally.
- Be cautious of anecdotal claims about certain foods curing or preventing ADHD, as scientific evidence is limited.
- ADHD symptoms and impacts can differ between adults and children, so dietary needs may vary as well.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “I don't know, not many people may be aware that about 20% of all of the energy that we consume by the body is actually used to fuel the brain.“ by Claire Thornton Wood
- “So ADHD is attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, so we'll shorten that to ADHD because it's obviously quite long winded. It's a mental health diagnosis.“ by Claire Thornton Wood
- “I think the starting point is make sure that you do have a balanced, healthy diet, you know, as much as you can. And that's the kind of cornerstone, I think, for everybody to improve their physical and their mental health.“ by Claire Thornton Wood
- “And if you restrict that diet still further, then you are really going to potentially run into problems with them getting everything that they need.“ by Claire Thornton Wood
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Episode Information
Food For Thought
Rhiannon Lambert
5/15/23
Most people who have ADHD don’t know that they do, with only 3-4% of the adult population having had a diagnosis. Over the years, many potential anecdotes and management strategies, such as dietary interventions, have been suggested to help alleviate symptoms or even prevent the onset. This week’s Food For Thought sees specialist Registered Dietitian Clare Thornton-Wood and I discuss how what we eat can impact our abilities to remain focused, as well as delve deep into the research behind our dietary choices and their influence on ADHD. Plus for more information, visit Rhitrition.com, Instagram.com/rhitrition, Rhitritionplus.com, Instagram.com/rhitritionplus.
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