Food can affect children’s behaviour and mood.
Sweets, for example, can trigger episodes of hyperactivity, but mood-altering foods aren’t just sugar. There are other culprits in today’s snacks and meals.
The following five foods are the biggest contributors to mood and behaviour changes in children:
- Dairy Products. If a child is lactose intolerant or sensitive to dairy proteins, consumption of these may cause changes in their mood and behaviour. Many children become irritable, moody or aggressive. Children allergic or intolerant to dairy products also tend to have frequent colds and ear infections. Infants may show symptoms of colic, while toddlers and older children may become irritable and intolerant.
- Artificial colorant. In many countries artificial colourings have been banned because of their harmful effects on children. We often blame sugar for changes in behaviour, but the chemicals in the colourings are linked to ADHD, anxiety, hyperactivity, and headaches in children, artificial colours can also cause major changes in behaviour and many sugary foods and snacks contain artificial colourants. Artificial colours are often hidden in unexpected foods like bread and yogurt. Always avoid yellow No.5, red No.40, and blue No.1 and in general avoid foods which contain artificial colours.
- Sugar. Sugar can make a child hyperactive and is present in almost everything an average child eats, some more than others. Because of this it is essential that a child follows a whole food diet. Sugar has been shown to cause long-term health damage, and a diet rich in processed foods has been linked to depression, cognitive delay and sleep problems.
- Preservatives. There are several preservatives which can cause behavioural problems in children. These include, among others, nitrates, nitrites and sodium benzoate. Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is a flavour enhancer that also causes mood and behavioural changes, including headaches and hyperactivity. Sodium benzoate is commonly found in juice products marketed to children.
- Food allergens. The most common food allergens are dairy, nuts, eggs, soy, and corn. When a child has an intolerance or allergy to a particular food, it can cause significant health and behavioural problems. However, it can be difficult to determine which allergen is making them sick without the help of an allergist. A food intolerance, for example, is often overlooked and the child is diagnosed with ADHD instead.
As professional nannies, if we notice behaviour changes or mood swings in a child who we care for, we keep a food journal. We track what they eat and with which foods they exhibit behaviour changes. We then try eliminating suspicious foods to see if their behaviour changes. If food isn’t the cause of all behavioural issues and conditions, the next step would be to identify if the child is not suffering from something that can be easily remedied.
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