Foods That Cause Behavior Problems in Children

Some foods marketed specifically for children contain dyes that might cause behavioral changes.

Sometimes it is not the food itself that causes behavior changes in children, but the ingredients that go into processing and refining it. Such foods don't affect all children, just those who are susceptible to them. Since the 2000s, research has been ongoing into what components of food, and specifically dyes, might trigger a reaction in children.

Dyes

In 2004, doctors at Columbia University Medical Center undertook a comprehensive analysis of medical literature to either prove or disprove the theory that artificial coloring in food products causes changes in children's behavior. They concluded that children's behavior improved when they did not consume artificial coloring. The dyes found to cause problems include Yellows 5 and 6, Reds 3 and 40, Blues 1 and 2, Green 3 and Orange B. Foods that contain these dyes include Aunt Jemima Blueberry Waffles, General Mills' Fruit Roll-Ups, Kraft's Oscar Meyer Lunchables, Betty Crocker's Au Gratin Potatoes and many cereals designed to appeal to kids, including Lucky Charms and Fruit Loops.

Allergies

Food allergies can also affect children's behavior, causing wide-ranging changes from physical ailments to hyperactivity and memory difficulties. These changes usually become apparent immediately after a child has eaten a trigger food and can vary in intensity depending on how much they ate and the level of the child's sensitivity. According to Quinnipiac University Online, the most common children's food allergies are to peanuts, fish and shellfish, wheat products, soy products, milk and eggs.

Sugar

Sugar may cause hyperactivity and excitability in some children. Processed sugars and refined carbohydrates, such as those found in white bread, soft drinks, candy and other sweets, hit children's bloodstreams soon after digestion to produce changes in blood sugar. These changes then trigger insulin production, which can increase a child's activity level and affect behavior.

Recommendations

If your child is experiencing behavior difficulties and you think it might relate to something she is eating, begin keeping a food diary for her. Consult her pediatrician with a copy of the diary. Her doctor may recommend making changes to her diet to see if her behavior improves through a process of eliminating some of the foods. If you can't seem to eliminate all sugars from your child's life and she seems susceptible to them, add more fiber to her diet, which helps regulate insulin. If you suspect that artificial coloring might be the culprit, read the labels on all food products carefully to check for any of those implicated in the Columbia University meta-analysis of research into the effects of dyes on children's behavior.

References

• Center for Science in the Public Interest: Diet and Behavior in Children; David Schardt
• Center for Science in the Public Interest: CSPI Urges FDA to Ban Artificial Food Dyes Linked to Behavior Problems; June 2, 2008
• Top54u.com: Can Food Allergies Cause Behavior Problems?
• Medline Plus: Hyperactivity and Sugar
• Keep Kids Healthy: Food Allergies