Feingold Diet (revisited)

We used the Feingold Diet for Charlie's hyperactivity at one point.  I think it worked well and I'm digging out the information to share and considering trying it again...

This is a synopsis I typed up and sent to school with him when we were following the diet.

Overview of The Feingold Diet:

The Feingold diet is a food elimination program developed by Ben F. Feingold, MD to treat hyperactivity. It eliminates a number of artificial colors and artificial flavors, aspartame, three petroleum-based preservatives, and (at least initially) certain salicylates.

 

The Feingold Program eliminates three groups of synthetic food additives and one class of synthetic sweeteners:

·         synthetic colors (FD&C and D&C colors)

·         synthetic flavors (several thousand different chemicals)

·         synthetic preservatives (BHA, BHT, and TBHQ)

·         artificial sweeteners (Aspartame, Neotame, and Alitame)

The above-listed colorings and preservatives are made from petroleum.^[2][3] The word "synthetic" is used instead of "artificial" because not all artificial colorings are eliminated by the program. For example, titanium dioxide and coloring made from iron oxides are acceptable, posing no problem for most people. Only FD&C and D&C colorings are eliminated. There are thousands of synthetic flavorings, from a variety of sources, most of which are not specified in ingredient lists. Due to the "de minimis" principle,^[4] safety and neurotoxicity studies are not required for these chemicals. Aspartame and its related chemicals have recently been eliminated from the Feingold Program because of evidence that they may be harmful to the nervous system.^[5]

During the initial weeks of the program, certain foods containing salicylates are removed and may later be reintroduced and tested for tolerance, one at a time. Most of the problematic salicylate-rich foods are common temperate-zone fruits, as well as a few vegetables, spices, and one tree nut. During this early period, foods like pears, cashews and bananas are used instead of foods like apples, almonds and grapes.

List of foods that contain naturally occurring salicylates that should be avoided entirely on the first phase (later to be introduced one at a time with notes taken in a journal of the child’s behavior and a record of what they ate.

Almonds                                             Oranges

Apples                                                 Paprika

Apricots                                              Peaches

Berries (all)                                          Peppers (bell and chili)

Birch                                                   Plums and prunes

Cherries                                               Tangerines

Chili Powder                                       Tea

Cider and cider vinegar                      Tomatoes

Cloves                                                 Wine and wine vinegar

Coffee

Cucumbers and pickles                       Oil of wintergreen (methyl Salicylate) Rosehips

Currants

Grapes and raisins

Nectarines

 

Aspirin and medication containing aspirin should be avoided as well.