Happy Kids, Cathy Glass [best ebook reader for ubuntu .TXT] 📗

and general health. But it isn’t only our bodies and our physical health that are at the mercy of what we consume, but also our brains and central nervous system. A finely tuned endocrine and hormone system is responsible for mood, behaviour and mental health, and relies on a well-balanced diet to function efficiently. There is now a wealth of scientific information, from studies and research, that shows unequivocally that children’s and adult’s behaviour is greatly affected by diet.

A healthy diet is therefore essential, not only for children’s physical development but also for their emotional and mental well-being. And while improving your child’s diet alone won’t turn a child with challenging behaviour into an angel, coupled with the techniques and strategies in this book, it can go a long way towards it.

Food additives and behaviour

In 1984 a book shot into the bestseller charts: it was called E. for Additives and was by a nutritionist, Maurice Hanssen. The book was a revelation, as it made the public aware of the hundreds of chemicals, known as E numbers, that are regularly added to food and drink. It listed each E number’s chemical origin and compound; which foods contained it; and their possible adverse effects on physical and mental health. The book shocked consumers worldwide, as it highlighted for the first time just how much our food was tampered with before it reached the shops. In effect we were eating a cocktail of chemicals, the long-term effect of which was largely unknown. And while some of these E numbers have since been shown to be harmful and banned from foods, the majority are still widely used, although the concerns raised in Hanssen’s book remain true today.

E numbers are added to food and drinks for many reasons, including appearance, shelf life, texture and taste. All food additives, including E numbers, must be listed on the label of the food package, but only European countries have adopted the E number classification. Although each chemical additive is tested and has to pass health and safety checks before being allowed into food, what isn’t tested is the combination of chemicals, and how this combination reacts in the food or the body. Most processed food and drink contains more than one additive, with a packet of brightly coloured sweets containing upward of ten. Even an innocent yoghurt can contain five or more additives if it is sweetened or made to look like the colour of a particular fruit.

Not all additives are synthetic or have harmful effects, and some have been used for years. Many people suffer no ill effects from eating additive-laden processed food, although cause and effect may not be recognised – the headache your child had in the afternoon might be due not to tiredness but to the bright pink icing on the doughnut he or she ate for lunch. The full and long-term effects of consuming additives is not known and research is ongoing. But there is enough evidence to show that mood, behaviour, learning, energy levels and concentration can be affected.

While you manage your child’s behaviour using the techniques in this book, it is also essential that your child has a well-balanced diet, with processed food kept to a minimum. If you know or suspect your child is sensitive to certain food additives, then obviously avoid all food and drinks that contain them. Here is a list of additives that research has shown can cause problems in behaviour, but the list is by no means complete:

Sunset yellow (E110) can cause or aggravate Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Found in orange squash, orange jelly, marzipan, Swiss roll, apricot jam, citrus marmalade, lemon curd, sweets, hot chocolate mix and packet soups, breadcrumbs, cheese sauce, ice cream, canned fish and many medications. Allowed in the UK, but banned in Norway and Finland.

Quinoline yellow (E104) has been linked to ADHD, restlessness and irritability. Found in ices, Scotch eggs, smoked haddock, hair products, colognes and a wide range of medications. Allowed in the UK, but banned in Australia, Japan, Norway and the United States.

Carmoisine (E122) has been linked to ADHD, sleeplessness and loss of concentration. Found in blancmange, marzipan, Swiss roll, jams and preserves, sweets, brown sauce, flavoured yoghurts, packet soups, jellies, breadcrumbs and cheesecake mixes. Allowed in the UK, but banned in Japan, Norway, Sweden and the United States.

Allura red (E129) can cause or aggravate ADHD and is linked to irritability and lack of concentration. Found in sweets, drinks, sauces, medications and cosmetics. Not allowed in food and drink for children under three. Banned in Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria and Norway.

Tartrazine (E102): many people are allergic to this and it has been shown to cause and aggravate ADHD and Oppositional Defiance Disorder. Found in fruit squash, fruit cordial, coloured fizzy drinks, instant puddings, cake mixes, custard powder, soups, sauces, ice cream, ice lollies, sweets, chewing gum, marzipan, jam, jelly, marmalade, mustard, yoghurt and many convenience foods. Widely used in the UK, but banned in Norway and Austria.

Ponceau 4R (E124) is linked to ADHD and sleep disturbance. Found in dessert toppings, jelly, salami, seafood dressings, tinned strawberries, fruit pie fillings, cake mixes, cheesecakes, soups and trifles. Allowed in the UK, but banned in Norway and the United States.

Effect of vitamins and minerals on behaviour

While most parents know the importance of protein and carbohydrates for growth and energy, and that it is essential children eat fresh fruit and vegetables, not so well known is the part vitamins and minerals play in behaviour and emotional stability. The following has come from research and is worth noting:

Zinc is essential for good brain functioning and a deficiency can result in learning difficulties and behavioural problems, including mood swings and tantrums. Zinc is found in meat, shellfish, milk, cheese, bread and cereal.

Magnesium has been described as a natural tranquilliser, and a deficiency can aggravate ADHD, causing restlessness and poor concentration. One study found that a magnesium supplement reversed the affects of ADHD. Magnesium occurs naturally in green leafy