Food allergies are common in kids with ADHD, but many of these food allergies are “hidden” or not very obvious.

I use the word “hidden” because these food allergies or intolerances are often challenging to identify. Most of the time, we don’t even know they exist because when we think of food allergy, we are thinking of the very obvious ones, like someone who is allergic to seafood, and ate something with shrimp, and within minutes reacted with full-body hives, facial swelling, itching mouth, and throat, etc.

However, these are not what we’re seeing in children with ADHD or even autism. Their reactions are a lot more subtle and slow. In fact, the food reactions we frequently suspect in children with ADHD or autism are food intolerance.

Food intolerance and food allergy share many similar signs and symptoms, such as diarrhea, vomiting, runny nose, nasal congestions, hives, rash, etc. However, they are very different physiologically.

Food intolerances can also cause gastrointestinal difficulties but can also result in other symptoms, which can range from headache and blurred vision to mood changes, fatigue, and general malaise.

Food allergy triggers an immediate immune response, usually involving the immunoglobulin E (IgE). The IgE-mediated response activates a cascade of systemic reactions involving multiple organ systems. That is why this is the more severe form of food intolerance. Fatal peanut allergy usually falls into this category. Even a tiny amount of the offending food can cause an immediate, severe reaction or anaphylactic shock, a life-threatening allergic reaction.

Anaphylaxis is characterized by systemic responses, such as difficulty breathing due to swelling of the airway, hives along with itching, flushed or pale skin, weak and rapid pulse, dangerously low blood pressure, nausea/vomiting or diarrhea, dizziness, or fainting.

An anaphylactic event requires emergent medical treatment, and delay of treatment may result in death. People with severe food allergies are usually prescribed an “epi” epinephrine pen that they carry around if they consume or come in contact with the allergen by accident.

With a true allergy, the offending food needs to be avoided altogether, especially in young children.

Food allergies are very common in the first years of life. With every repeated exposure to the offending food, the immune system becomes better at attacking that allergen, which means the response will become more and more intense each time the body is exposed to the allergen. Children usually outgrow their allergies by 4 or 5 years of age. However, repeat exposure may prevent or delay the time to outgrow the allergy.

On the other hand, food intolerance usually does not involve the immune system, and reaction also comes on a lot slower – usually after two hours of ingestion of food, and up to 48 hours – and more subtle presentation. The individual usually can tolerate a small amount of the offending foods without much adverse effect.

Symptoms of food intolerance are generally less severe, less obvious, and appear very subtly and slowly. That’s why that trouble food is seldom identified. Some common signs and symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, constipation, diarrhea, asthma, eczema (atopic dermatitis), etc.

Scientists are now starting to acknowledge that food intolerances may also result in behavioral symptoms frequently seen in ADHD and autism.

Does Your Child Have Food Allergies or Intolerances?

There are actually many subtle telltale signs that most people, even doctors, are not aware of.

If your child with ADHD also has asthma, eczema (atopic dermatitis), and frequent ear infections, there’s a very likely chance that he or she has cow’s milk sensitivity.

• Picky eater (not because of ADHD medication)
• • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • stomach ache
  • cramps
  • bloating
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • acting silly or hyper after eating certain food
  • craves or addicted to certain types of food
  • aggression and agitation
  • asthma
  • eczema
  • ear infection
  • dark circles around eyes
  • nasal congestion
  • coughing or wheezing

The most common food allergies in kids with ADHD are dairy and gluten. However, these are not the only food allergies in kids with ADHD.

Food allergy testing can be complicated. Food allergy testing is generally not recommended for children under the age of three, because of their premature immune system, which results in frequent false reaction.

The common testing by a medical doctor – RAST and skin prick test check for allergic reaction as a result of an immediate IgE-mediated response. This is considered a true allergic reaction because this reaction usually show up within minutes or shortly after exposure to the trouble food.

The other not-so-popular or less-known food allergy, which is also frequently despised by the conventional medical community is the IgG.

This test is usually favored by naturopathic and functional providers like myself.

Most food allergy reactions seen in ADHD are not IgE-mediated, therefore, the conventional RAST or skin prick test always comes back negative, showing no reaction to food.

Technology has significantly improved nowadays that you can now test for IgG food sensitivity at home with a test kit you can order online.

This food sensitivity test will point you at the right direction as to what food to avoid. You then eliminate the suspected foods and observe for changes in symptoms.

Determining your child’s food sensitivity should be done with an experienced medical doctor or nutritionist (like myself), who can help you correctly interpret the allergy testing results and select the best elimination diet to proceed with.

For 10% of children with ADHD, just eliminating food additives and food allergens may completely resolve all ADHD symptoms.

Ok, there you have it…

I hope you find this information helpful. Let me know what you think and comment below.

Remember ADHD does not doom your child to a life of under-achievement. You know your child is bright, full of potential, and deserves the best. In fact, many of the world’s greatest discoveries and inventions were made by people with ADHD.

I helped my crazy wild child who could not read or write when she was little with the four pillars I laid out in the Eat to Focus book. She’s now a merit scholarship student studying premed at Loyola Chicago University.

So stay strong and keep believing in your child.

Check out the Eat to Focus book to learn about my story and the 4 steps that I used to transform my daughter and help her reach her full potential. This information may change your child’s future.

Download your free gift “15 Quick and Simple School Day Breakfast Ideas for Kids with ADHD” before you leave.