Diet for ADHD

Ideal Diet for ADHD and Growth

"The main focus of the meals is on lean proteins like chicken, eggs, or tofu, along with a variety of green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and kale."

Purpose	Foods	Benefits
Liver support	Broccoli, garlic, avocado, green tea	Detox, protects liver from medication strain
Healthy metabolism	Oatmeal, sweet potatoes, quinoa, eggs, salmon	Helps manage weight and supports energy
Brain nutrition (omega-3)	Salmon, tuna, flaxseed, walnuts	Improves attention, memory, mood regulation
Antioxidants / Vitamins	Berries, oranges, bell peppers, leafy greens	Supports immune system and brain chemistry
Natural sleep aids	Banana, kiwi, almond butter	May enhance sleep with Guanfacine support

Recommended Supplements

Supplement	Purpose	Example (U.S. brands)
Omega-3 (DHA/EPA)	Brain focus, emotional balance	Nordic Naturals Children's DHA, Barlean’s Omega Pals
Magnesium (Glycinate)	Helps calm nervous system, reduce irritability, improve sleep	Natural Vitality Kids Calm
Zinc + Vitamin B6	Supports dopamine metabolism, immune health	Thorne Kids Multi+
Vitamin D3	Mood regulation, immune system boost	MaryRuth’s D3+K2 Drops
Probiotics	Gut-brain support, attention, digestion	Garden of Life Kids Probiotics

Foods to Limit or Avoid

Since your child is currently taking Atomoxetine (Strattera), Guanfacine (Intuniv), and Abilify (Aripiprazole), it's important to avoid certain foods and supplements that may interact with these medications, affect liver function, worsen side effects, or interfere with brain chemistry.

Foods & Supplements to Avoid or Limit Based on Current Medications

1. Artificial Colors and Preservatives

• Why: These can worsen hyperactivity and impulsivity, especially in children with ADHD.

• Examples to avoid:

  • Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1

  • Sodium benzoate

  • Processed snacks, candies, colorful cereals

2. High-Sugar Foods & Refined Carbs

• Why: These cause rapid blood sugar spikes and crashes, which can worsen attention and irritability.

• Examples to avoid:

  • Soda, fruit juice, sugary yogurts

  • White bread, pastries, cookies

  • Sweet breakfast cereals

3. High-Sodium Processed Foods

• Why: Guanfacine and Abilify can lower blood pressure — too much salt can add cardiovascular strain.

• Examples:

  • Instant noodles, canned soups

  • Frozen meals, chips

4. Grapefruit or Grapefruit Juice

• Why: Grapefruit inhibits liver enzymes (CYP450), which can interfere with Atomoxetine and Abilify metabolism, possibly raising drug levels and side effects.

5. Fatty, Fried, or Fast Food

• Why: These can lead to weight gain, worsen blood sugar levels, and affect mood — especially important since Abilify may increase appetite and weight.

• Examples:

  • French fries, fried chicken, burgers

  • Pizza, heavy creamy sauces

6.  Supplements to Avoid

Supplement	Why It’s Risky with Abilify
5-HTP	Increases serotonin — risk of mood dysregulation or serotonin syndrome
L-Tryptophan	Converts to serotonin — similar concerns
St. John’s Wort	Can dangerously interact with Atomoxetine and Abilify
High-dose B6 (>50mg/day)	May overstimulate dopamine-sensitive pathways in combination with psychiatric medications

Summary for Medication Interaction

Medication	Watch Out For
Atomoxetine	Grapefruit, liver-toxic foods or herbs (e.g., kava, alcohol—though not applicable to a child)
Guanfacine	Low blood pressure → avoid salty, dehydrating foods
Abilify	Appetite increase, weight gain → limit sugar and fried foods
All	Avoid artificial colors, high sugar, and serotonin supplements

Mi, PMHNP-BC