- Many children with epilepsy have been helped with the ketogenic diet, a diet that starts with a 24-hour starvation period (usually in a hospital setting) and continues with a very high-fat diet. Some studies published in "Medical Hypotheses" have shown that the same diet will improve the symptoms of bipolar children. This diet must be overseen by medical personnel and should be strictly followed.
- Some foods, such as refined grains and sugars, are digested extremely quickly by the body. Others, such as proteins and whole grains, take longer to be digested. Quickly digested foods can lead to mood swings, and some children with bipolar disorder experience stronger symptoms after eating these foods. The glycemic index (GI) lists foods according to how quickly they are digested by the body. Following the GI diet enables a child to eat mostly foods that are digested slowly, leading to a more stable mood.
- Eating healthy in general is probably the best diet for bipolar children. Eating a nutritious diet will limit the number of sicknesses, and numerous sicknesses--and the medicines that accompany them--can exacerbate bipolar symptoms. This means helping your child avoid junk food and eat a varied mix of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
