What goes into the belly at lunch predicts the afternoon’s behaviour and focus. It is just that simple. The wrong lunch can make the blood sugar soar and then plummet which means mood swings. Nutrition aside (I mean, everyone knows to avoid sweets and stock up on veggies, right?) there is a whole bunch of in-between that you can do to be sure each day is productive. Not just for the kids (and their teacher’s sanity) but for you too.
A good breakfast that contains protein and fibre [http://www.myfriendinfood.com/2011/01/20/best-foods-ever/] will set up a blood sugar level that is sustainable. By lunch, the body wants fuel or it will get sleepy. Sleepy kids turn into either crabby kids or hyper kids, you know which was yours is (could be both). Lunch needs to focus on two things in order to prevent that
Protein provides calories that burn slowly and sustain energy levels. It will also help slow down the body’s uptake of other foods like bread, treats, juice that can cause a blood sugar spike. Here are some good choices:
The rush obtained from a cookie or juice will quickly dissipate and behaviour won’t be far behind. I am always surprised to hear parents say that they never made the connection. A blood sugar crash is biologically present to turn the body into a bear on the prowl. It is intended to increase the desire to hunt/search/pick food above all other tasks. The trouble is that we don’t cognitively know that’s what we are supposed to do so we just get randomly nasty.
To avoid the crash:
If your child is sensitive, or has behaviour issues at all think about avoiding food colour. Well, really, there is no need to be consuming it at all for any of us but the studies do show that these substances may negatively affect behaviour in specific people.
Avoid any label that contains the word ‘colour’.
In Canada that could mean any one of a number of natural or artificial food colours that have been linked to hyperactivity in children, asthma, skin rashes, and migraines and have been banned in Denmark, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Belgium and France. Tartrazine is
one of the specific ingredients that you want to avoid and it may not be listed as such. It is often used to create that yellow or orange tinge in many baked goods.
In other countries including the US, each specific dye that is used needs to be named but right now. In Canada, the legislation does allow just the category ‘colour’ to be listed.
Do you have any success stories to share (or nightmares!) about how a change in diet has affected your child’s behaviour?
Comments
That’s great advice! But what do you do with the picky eater? My 6 year old eats jam sandwiches, Lipton chicken noodle soup, yogurt, and nothing else. Oh and did I mention she has severe AD/HD! I packed healthy lunches and they came home everyday, uneaten. I gave up as I just wanted her to eat, and I’ve heard the kids won’t starve themselves talk too.
I wonder if the colour is what causes the rash that randomly appears on my sons bottom off and on. We eat pretty clean, mostly homemade items as I have a dairy protein allergy. He does have an allergy to lingeon (sp) berry. Yes obscure but that’s what they serve at IKEA on the meatballs. I’m going to pay attention to this now and see if I can link it up. Thanks for the idea. BTW we love the sweet potato scone receipe!
DeeDee - I hear you, my sister in law has a picky eater. I feel for you. Can you make your own chicken noodle soup and jam so that you know what’s going into it atleast? Good Luck!
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