Seven Day Menu for a Hyperactive Child

The seven-day menu that I have devised is based on Doctor Ben Feingold findings that aspirin containing food, preservative, artificial food colourings and flavours, salt and sugar lead to hyperactivities in children. Aspirin is the name of the drug acetylsalicylic acid and some foods contain salicylates, Doctor Ben Feingold found that by removing foods that contain salicylates from hyperactive children's diets, their hyperactive condition improved. Foods that contain salicylates are almonds, apples, apricots, blackberries, boysenberries, cherries, cucumbers and pickles, currants, dewberries, gooseberries, grapes and sultanas, nectarines, oranges, peaches, plums and prunes, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes, tea, soft drinks. Bakery goods, cake mixes, sausages and frankfurters, chewing gum, ice cream, jam, jelly, specialty meats, mint flavours, margarines, sweets and toothpastes all contain flavourings that contain salicylates. It is for this reason that these foods are omitted from the menu. Doctor Ben Feingold went on to find further that by removing artificial colourings, flavourings, preservatives and salt and sugar, that this also help the condition of hyperactive children. This is why I have kept to organic whole foods in my menu without any sugar or salt. Further research has found that children with hyperactivity also lack certain vitamins and minerals especially zinc. It is for this reason that I have tried to provide plenty of whole grains, seafood and legumes in my seven day menu which have high zinc content. Artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame have been linked to hyperactivity in children; this is why they are omitted from my seven day menu. Many children with hyperactivity also have allergies to certain foods, I have kept dairy and wheat products from the menu just to be on the safe side, as they are common foods that cause allergic reactions. Although meat does not cause any hyperactivity problems I have omitted it from the menu, it contains a lot of chemicals such as antibiotics because of the way that meat is produced. I feel that we can get more beneficial and healthier protein from fish and seafood. I tried to keep the menu from repeating itself too much, just to keep it interesting and to avoid having to much of one food type which could cause allergy problems later on in life. All the food is organic so that no chemicals are consumed and there is plenty of mineral water so that the child is well hydrated. In conclusion, if a child has been diagnosed with hyperactivity or attention deficit disorder (ADD), this or a diet similar to this is a good drug free way to improve or even cure their condition. It would also be wise to avoid produces that also contain salicylates such as suntan lotion, perfumes, cosmetics, soap and lubrication oils. Seven day menu for hyperactive children Day 1 Breakfast: Organic Porridge with cinnamon made with water not milk and no sugar or artificial sweeteners Organic Banana and vanilla Soya shake Morning Snack: A handful of walnuts Lunch: Organic Rye salad sandwiches with Soya spread (no cucumber) Plain mineral water Afternoon Snack: A handful of peanuts Dinner: Grilled salmon, boiled organic new potatoes with organic green beans Plain mineral water Desert: Organic Oatmeal pancakes Evening Snack: Julienne carrots Day 2 Breakfast: Organic Courgette omelette made with organic eggs Organic Cranberry juice Morning Snack: A handful of cashew nuts Lunch: Poached trout on a bed of millet Plain mineral water Afternoon Snack: A handful of brazil nuts Dinner: Organic chickpea curry with organic brown rice Plain mineral water Desert: Organic pear sprinkled with cinnamon and grilled Evening Snack: Julienne red peppers Day 3 Breakfast: Smoke mackerel Organic Mango juice Morning Snack: A handful of hazel nuts Lunch: Scrambled organic eggs on an organic jacket potato Plain mineral water Afternoon Snack: A handful of walnuts Dinner: New England fish chowder (made with no cream, milk or salt just good fish stock) Plain mineral water Desert: Organic pineapple slices Evening Snack: Slices of celery Day 4 Breakfast: Organic Rice cakes (no salt) with organic peanut butter (no salt or sugar) Organic pineapple juice Morning Snack: A handful of pecan nuts Lunch: Veggie burger and a bed of organic salad (no tomatoes or cucumber) Plain mineral water Afternoon Snack: Handful of hazel nuts Dinner: Vegetarian organic chilli serve on a bed of millet made with organic kidney beans and Soya mince Plain mineral water Desert: Baked organic banana coated with natural yoghurt Evening Snack: Julienne carrots Day 5 Breakfast: Sliced organic pears with natural bio yoghurt Organic carrot juice Morning Snack: A handful of cashew nuts Lunch: Smoked Herring on a bed of organic brown rice Plain mineral water Afternoon Snack: A handful of brazil nuts Dinner: Vegetarian green tofu Thai curry served on a bed of organic brown rice Plain mineral water Desert: Organic melon slices Evening Snack: Julienne red peppers Day 6 Breakfast: Toasted organic Rye bread with pilchards (no tomato sauce) Organic pineapple juice Morning Snack: A handful of walnuts Lunch: King Prawns on organic rice cakes (no salt) with sesame seed dressing Plain mineral water Afternoon Snack: A handful of pecan nuts Dinner: Organic mixed bean stew served with toasted chunky rye bread Plain mineral water Desert: Organic cranberry ice crush Evening Snack: Slices of celery Day 7 Breakfast: A bowl of organic puffed rice with vanilla Soya milk Green Vegetable juice Morning Snack: A handful of hazel nuts Lunch: Organic winter vegetable soup with rye croutons Plain mineral water Afternoon Snack: A handful of brazil nuts Dinner: Grilled tuna served with organic spring onions and mashed potatoes Plain mineral water Desert: Organic exotic fruit salad made with kiwi fruit, star fruit and lychees Evening Snack: Julienne carrots