Parents told me about children who had never slept through a night in their whole three years who slept normally when put on the additive free low salicylate diet. They even checked they were alive because they were so still when asleep! Some parents reported children sitting still really playing with a toy when they had never sat still for a moment in their short lives. I remember the child who used to run across the back yard and bounce off the fence then back across the year and bounce off … [Read more...]

In the early 70s we thought that additive colour and flavour were harmless substances that made no difference to the foods that contained them. It is important to remember that in those days when food was flavoured the amount of added flavour to food was smaller than today. It was just enough to enhance the initial food, not to dominate the dish. I remember when attending classes in high-class cookery (my dietetic course included interesting subjects!) we wrapped small amounts of herbs in a … [Read more...]

Phenols are the new name for the food chemicals best avoided where ADHD and ASD are present. Food additives were the first “baddies”, then salicylates were singled out. Then MSG was highlighted, and tyramines and histamine were other food chemicals said to cause symptoms. Salicylates, additive colours, flavours and most preservatives, as well as strong flavours and smells (which I emphasized particularly with the others) all have a phenolic or aromatic chemical structure. The new name sounds as … [Read more...]

THE MUDDLE Many six or seven year olds don't eat their vegetables.  They may eat cereal and milk for breakfast, maybe with some fruit juice and toast.  They may eat snacks and drinks throughout the day and have sandwiches for lunch and so the problem seems to be only at dinner at night.  But is it?  Is this a usual six year old pattern or does it remind you more of a two or three year old, except that a baby food dinner would have been eaten in the evening. WHY DOES IT … [Read more...]

Hazel wrote: My blood pressure is controlled with medication and doesn’t cause a problem for me unless I eat certain foods.  I have been sensitive  to soy for over 20 years, and have become sensitive to other foods since then.  Soy, corn, turkey, nuts, shrimp, and sometimes beans all cause a rise in my blood pressure usually a few hours after consumption.  I have been to the ER several times for this as my blood pressure medications will not bring it down.  My Dr … [Read more...]