Foods That Trigger Behavioral Problems in Children

All children behave badly once in the while. It’s normal for children to act up when they can’t have their favorite toy or when they just need a nap. However, if behavioral problems disrupt both classroom and home time and your son or daughter just seems all-around miserable, it may be time to look into the hidden cause of behavioral problems. Learn about the five common foods that trigger behavioral problems in children.

Food That Triggers Behavioral Problems in Children 1 - Wheat/Gluten

Gluten intolerance was once thought to be a rare condition. However, it is fast becoming apparent that it is a very common problem. It is estimated that 1 in every 133 people have gluten sensitivity or intolerance, as opposed to the 1 in every 2,500 a decade ago. Symptoms of gluten intolerance in children range from mild to severe. They are as follows:

Chronic Stomachache
Chronic Diarrhea or Constipation
Distended Abdomen
Failure to Thrive
Eczema/Itchy Skin
Chronic Infection
Fatigue
Irritability
Brain Fog/ Learning Difficulties
Autism/Aspergers Syndrome

If you suspect your child’s behavioral problems are related to hidden gluten intolerance, it is important to remove all gluten from the diet for a period of at least two weeks. Then, reintroduce gluten at the end of that time period to test for a reaction. If gluten is the problem, you will know.

Food That Triggers Behavioral Problems in Children 2 - Soy

Though soy has been touted as a health food for abut a decade, it is now under fire for causing a host of health problems, including behavioral problems in children. Soy is loaded with a compound called manganese, which has been linked to:

Neurological Problems
Learning Disabilities
Developmental Disoders
Mental Health Disorders
ADHD

In addition to dangerous levels of manganese, the phytoestrogens in soy have also been reported to cause thyroid disorders, early puberty and aggressive behavior in children and teenagers. Remove soy from the diet for a period of two weeks and make note of any changes, then reintroduce to test for a reaction.

Food That Triggers Behavioral Problems in Children 3 - Aspartame

Aspartame is an artificial sweetener found in diet foods, sodas, candy, gum and processed foods. Aspartame poisoning has an alarming 92 different symptoms associated with it. Some of the more common symptoms are:

Autoimmune Disease
Headaches/Migraines
Confusion and Memory Loss
Hyperactivity
Depression and Anxiety
Irritability and Aggression
Insomnia
Phobias
Skin Allergies
Gastrointestinal Problems

Become a label-reader and carefully scrutinize the food you give your child. Removing aspartame from your child’s diet permanently is an investment in good health.

Food That Triggers Behavioral Problems in Children 4 - High Fructose Corn Syrup

Unlike what some would have you believe, the body can tell the difference between cane sugar and “corn sugar”. The body does not process high fructose corn syrup the way it does regular sugar. High fructose corn syrup gets turned into fat and is reported to be a major contributing factor in childhood obesity . A child who is overweight is more prone to depression and becoming a target for bullying. In addition to this, high fructose corn syrup has been linked to behavioral problems such as:

Hyperactivity
Mood Swings
Aggression
Learning Difficulties
Extreme Tantrums

Again, become a label-reader. High fructose corn syrup can be avoided if most processed foods are eliminated.

Food That Triggers Behavioral Problems in Children 5 - Food Dyes

Some children develop a serious allergy to food dyes such as Red #40 and Yellow #5. Both these dyes have been linked to mental health issues including:

Insomnia (Yellow #5)
Irritability
Tantrums
Aggression
Nervousness

These food dyes can also cause sever physical reactions such as hives, itching, swelling of the lips and tongue and blisters. If child behavioral problems are an issue, removing foods containing these dyes may help correct the problem.

In this day and age, where so much of our food is processed, genetically modified and just plain not good for us, it is important to understand how it can cause not only physical but mental and behavioral responses as well. Take the time to educate yourself about proper nutrition for you and your family and you will experience a whole new world of good health!