Key takeaways:
There are two types of medications available to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): stimulants and non-stimulants.
Fruit juice, citrus, and foods high in vitamin C can increase acid levels in your digestive system. This can lower the levels of some ADHD medications in your body, potentially making them less effective.
Eating a balanced diet of whole grains, vegetables, and other nutritious foods may help ease some ADHD symptoms. It also supports positive growth and development, generally speaking.
Suppose you or your child are diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). If this happens, a healthcare professional will advise you on the best way to manage it. This may be through therapy, such as behavioral therapy or family therapy, and/or medication.
A thoughtful diet is another important part of an ADHD treatment plan. This is because several dietary choices could affect certain ADHD symptoms. Some foods and drinks may also make ADHD medications less effective.
Here we’ll talk about diet and ADHD medications — what to consider, what to avoid, and what you should know.
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How does diet affect children with ADHD?
A nutritious, balanced diet is one part of a healthy lifestyle. This, in part, is because the food you and your family eat can affect your energy and concentration.
Some foods are better than others for people with ADHD — especially when it comes to kids. Children with ADHD benefit from a diet that includes daily servings of:
Whole grains
Fruits
Vegetables
Low-fat proteins, such as soy, quinoa, and beans
Essential fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, and seeds
Processed foods, artificial products, and refined carbohydrates, which can be found in some breads and cereals, should be a minimal part of your child’s diet. These foods are less supportive for healthy growth and development, including brain development.
Does diet affect adults with ADHD?
Yes, your diet has the potential to affect ADHD symptoms no matter your age. Therapy and medication are the most effective treatments for ADHD. But eating regular, healthy meals and minimizing alcohol may help lessen adult ADHD symptoms too.
Meal planning and cooking are intentional habits that can bring more structure and nutritional support to your week. Start by choosing a set time each week to prepare meals, and keep a list of go-to recipes so you’re never stuck on what to make. You can also set calendar reminders for meals to stay on track.
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Can you manage ADHD with certain foods?
Research has not clearly identified an “ADHD diet.” Scientists continue to conduct studies to identify foods that can potentially manage or lessen ADHD symptoms.
The few-foods diet is currently the subject of quite a bit of interest. It works by eliminating certain foods and ingredients from you or your child’s diet. The belief is that certain foods may cause or worsen ADHD symptoms. So removing problematic foods might help to improve symptoms.
Studies have examined the effects of eliminating many ingredients, including:
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Parents can limit a child’s diet to only a few recommended foods in the few-foods diet. Then, they reintroduce foods over a few weeks. Adults with ADHD can also take the same approach for themselves.
This process takes some trial and error. Some children and adults with ADHD benefit when food additives or common food allergens are eliminated from their diets, while others don’t. This may help parents determine whether certain foods actually worsen their child’s ADHD. However, a different study found that a healthy diet can help improve ADHD symptoms more than the few-foods diet.
With the data being mixed, talk with a dietician about a dietary plan that may better support your or your child’s physical and emotional well-being.
What types of medications usually treat ADHD?
There are two types of medications available to treat ADHD: stimulants and non-stimulants.
Good to know: The best ADHD medication depends on a person’s age and symptoms. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends adjusting the dose to balance benefits with side effects. Work with your or your child’s healthcare professional to find the most effective option.
Stimulants
Stimulants raise dopamine and norepinephrine levels in the brain. These brain chemicals help improve attention, focus, and concentration.
Amphetamine salts, methylphenidate, and lisdexamfetamine are common stimulant medications. They’re available as generic medications, but they also have many brand names.
Common brand names of amphetamine salts are Adderall, Dyanavel XR, and Evekeo. Common methylphenidate brand names are Concerta, Daytrana, and Ritalin. Lisdexamfetamine is widely available as brand-name Vyvanse.
Stimulants also come in many forms. This includes oral pills, oral liquids, and skin patches, to name a few. They can be made to work right away (immediate-release, IR) or last longer throughout the day (extended-release, ER). No matter the type, these medications can be effective for managing ADHD symptoms in both kids and adults.
Non-stimulants
Non-stimulant medications for ADHD affect the brain differently than stimulants. They may be used when stimulants don’t work well or have undesirable side effects.
Atomoxetine (Strattera), guanfacine ER (Intuniv), and clonidine ER (Kapvay) are all common non-stimulants. Qelbree (viloxazine) is the newest non-stimulant medication available. Each of these options come as oral pills.
Some medications are also prescribed off-label for ADHD. In certain cases, your or your child’s prescriber might recommend options such as bupropion (Wellbutrin) or venlafaxine (Effexor XR).
Does diet affect ADHD medications?
Your diet can affect the amount of acid in the stomach and intestines. This can affect how well the body absorbs certain ADHD medications, such as Adderall.
What are the foods to avoid while taking ADHD medication?
Acidic foods and drinks can make amphetamines less effective by lowering how much of the medication your body absorbs. This can lead to lower medication levels in your bloodstream and may cause ADHD symptoms to get worse. To avoid this, try spacing out acidic foods and drinks a few hours before or after taking your medication.
Examples include:
Fruit juice
Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, and limes)
Tomatoes and tomato-based foods (salsa, pasta sauce, and others)
Salad dressings containing vinegar
Carbonated drinks (sodas)
Foods high in vitamin C (e.g., red peppers, strawberries, broccoli)
On the flip side, foods and supplements that make your urine less acidic (alkaline) can also create a problem. That’s because these substances can slow down how your body clears amphetamine-based ADHD medications, possibly leading to higher drug levels and a greater chance of side effects, such as trouble sleeping or heart palpitations.
A few examples of substances that can have this effect include antacids with sodium bicarbonate, leafy green vegetables, and large amounts of dairy. Consuming foods like milk and kale in moderate amounts usually has only a small effect. But if you regularly take antacid tablets or alkalinizing supplements, it may have a more noticeable impact.
Other dietary considerations
High-fat meals can sometimes change the way your body absorbs ADHD medications. This is especially true if you take the medication at the same time as the meal. For example, eating a high-fat meal with atomoxetine, guanfacine ER, or Adderall ER can alter how quickly or how much of the medication gets into your bloodstream.
Consider consuming caffeinated drinks in moderation, too. Coffee, energy drinks, and tea are all common sources of caffeine. It can also be found in foods like chocolate, especially dark chocolate. You may experience side effects, such as elevated heart rate, nervousness, and trouble sleeping when you take too much caffeine.
The bottom line
Studies show that people with ADHD benefit from a nutritious, balanced diet consisting of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat proteins. Some people also benefit from the few-foods diet, which involves cutting out certain foods for a short time to see if it changes their ADHD symptoms for the better.
Several foods may also make certain ADHD medications less effective. It’s important to limit or avoid acidic foods and drinks with certain ADHD medications. If you have ADHD and take medication, talk to a healthcare professional about foods to avoid while taking ADHD medication.
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References
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