Diet has a direct influence on how our children feel and act. And this is particularly true when a child is suffering from a hidden disability such as ADHD. Raisingkids.co.uk's nutrition expert, Vardit Kohn offers advice on combating mood swings with a good diet.

Raisingkids member's problem
My 12 year-old-son has been diagnosed with dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD for some years now. We have tested his Body Mass Index but it seems that if he does not have a regular intake of food, including healthy snacks, we have a real problem with mood swings. I realise he is growing at a fast pace these days and he is very sporty (this has been going on for years), I keep dairy to a minimum and avoid wheat where possible. Additives/colourings are kept to a minimum - what else can I do?

Nutrition expert's advice
One thing you did not mention is sugar, yet severe mood swings and the need to eat regularly points to a problem with sugar metabolism, known as ‘hypoglycaemia’ or Low Blood Sugar (LBS). LBS occurs when the body's blood sugar, or glucose, is abnormally low, often because it is used up too rapidly. This could be an inherited weakness, although the condition most commonly develops as a result of a diet high in sugar, including from natural sources, and processed carbohydrates. LBS is known to have a very strong effect on the brain, and the symptoms you list are commonly associated with this condition.

If sugar is not the issue, then perhaps you need to look at the fats in your son’s diet, in particular Omega 3 fats. These essential fats must be derived from food, as our body cannot make them by itself, hence the name ‘essential’.

Two fatty acids of particular importance in the sort of case you describe are EPA and DHA, found mainly in oily fish, and in flaxseed and hemp oils. DHA in particular is highly concentrated in the brain and nervous system, and was shown to improve learning and memory, dyslexia and dyspraxia and to enhance mood. It’s also important to restrict or avoid ‘bad’ fats, such as saturated and hydrogenated fats, which would counteract the benefits of good fats.

To summarise, your son’s condition may benefit from certain things being taken out of the diet whilst others are added. Since the problems you describe have been with your son for quite a long time and are acute, and since you have obviously made some excellent moves in the right direction with your son’s diet, I highly recommend that you have a full nutritional consultation to assess and improve his diet. This could be as the first step to achieving a more balanced life for you all.