Food Sensitivity Tests & ADHD: A Recipe for Better Focus
As the new school year progresses, parents and caregivers of children with ADHD often find themselves navigating the challenges of focus, concentration, and behaviour. Managing ADHD symptoms is essential to ensuring a smoother transition back into the classroom, especially when juggling new routines and academic expectations. But did you know that diet might play a bigger role in ADHD management than you realize? If you’ve been looking for a naturopath in Burnaby to help with ADHD, you're not alone.
Recent research suggests that food sensitivities could be contributing to ADHD symptoms in children, offering exciting opportunities for relief through diet modifications. If you’ve been searching for a natural, holistic approach to managing ADHD, food sensitivity testing with a naturopathic doctor may be the answer you’ve been looking for.
The Link Between ADHD and Food Sensitivities
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder affecting millions of children and adults worldwide. Symptoms often include difficulty focusing, impulsive behaviours, and hyperactivity. While medication is a common treatment option, many parents are exploring additional ways to manage symptoms through lifestyle changes, including dietary interventions.
Several studies have shown that food sensitivities and intolerances may trigger or worsen ADHD symptoms in some children. For example, a 2011 study published in Clinical Pediatrics revealed that children with ADHD experienced significant symptom improvement when they avoided certain food triggers, such as artificial food colors (AFCs), milk, chocolate, and wheat. The results were striking: up to 89% of children with food sensitivities showed positive changes in behaviour and focus when these foods were removed from their diet.
This link between ADHD and food sensitivities is opening doors to new treatment possibilities, particularly for parents seeking natural and effective ways to help their children manage the condition. A consultation with a naturopathic doctor in Burnaby could be the first step in exploring this connection.
The Oligoantigenic Diet: A Tailored Approach
Fast forward to 2021, when another groundbreaking study in Nutrients highlighted the success of the oligoantigenic diet (OD) in managing ADHD symptoms. The OD is a highly restrictive diet that eliminates specific foods known to cause sensitivities. The goal is to identify potential triggers by removing common allergens or irritants and slowly reintroducing them one at a time. This process helps pinpoint the exact foods that might be exacerbating ADHD symptoms.
The study found that more than two-thirds of children following the OD experienced a reduction in ADHD symptoms, such as inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity. By removing specific food triggers, many children experienced greater focus, better mood regulation, and improvements in overall behaviour—without the need for medication adjustments.
While the OD is typically done under the supervision of a healthcare provider, it offers an encouraging option for parents and caregivers who want to take a more hands-on, natural approach to managing ADHD. A naturopathic doctor can guide you through this process, offering expert advice and support.
How Food Sensitivity Testing Can Help
You may be wondering how to get started with dietary changes for your child. This is where food sensitivity testing comes into play. At our clinic, our experienced naturopaths offer comprehensive food sensitivity testing to identify which foods may be triggering symptoms. Using advanced testing methods, we can analyze your child’s immune response to a wide range of foods, helping to uncover hidden sensitivities that may be affecting their ability to focus and behave calmly.
Once we have the results, our naturopathic doctors in Burnaby will work closely with you to develop a personalized diet plan tailored to your child’s specific needs. By eliminating trigger foods and incorporating nutrient-rich, brain-boosting options, we can help improve your child’s ADHD symptoms and overall well-being.
Food sensitivity testing not only takes the guesswork out of dietary changes but also ensures that your child’s diet is balanced, nutritious, and supportive of their mental and physical health.
Building a Recipe for Success
At our clinic, we’re dedicated to making the process of managing ADHD as easy and effective as possible for both you and your child. We believe that every child is unique, and their treatment plans should be too. That’s why our naturopathic doctors offer fun and engaging ways to introduce new, healthy foods into your child’s diet while avoiding the triggers that may be causing challenges.
By working together, we can create a dietary plan that doesn’t just remove problem foods but also adds in delicious, nutrient-dense options to fuel your child’s body and brain. Whether it’s incorporating more omega-3-rich foods like salmon and walnuts or introducing calming herbs and probiotics, we’ll find the perfect recipe for your child’s success.
Ready to Explore the Connection Between Diet and ADHD?
If you’re ready to discover how a tailored diet can make a big difference in your child’s focus and behaviour, we invite you to book a consultation with one of our experienced naturopathic doctors in Burnaby. Together, we’ll dive deep into your child’s health history, run comprehensive tests, and develop a personalized plan designed to help them thrive—both inside and outside the classroom.
The journey to better focus, improved behaviour, and enhanced well-being starts with what’s on your child’s plate. Let’s work together to unlock the potential of a diet designed specifically for your child’s needs. Ready to get started? Contact Oak Integrative Health today and embark on a tasty new path toward greater health and balance!
By Madison Isenor, BSc, ND candidate 2025