Feingold Diet
Dr. Benjamin Feingold MD was a pediatrician and an expert on allery. He established a number of allergy treatment centres while serving as Chief of Pediatrics at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital, Los Angeles, CA, USA. He was of the opinion that salicylates, artificial colors, and artificial flavors are the cause of hyperactivity in children. This hyperactivity is now medically classified as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Dr. Feingold suggested a diet that was free of such chemicals could treat or prevent this condition. Diet developed by him for control of hyperactivity was called Fiengold Diet. It was claimed that this diet would eliminate a number of artificial colors, artificial flavors, some petroleum based preservatives form the foods. Debate for and against this diet has been ongoing for the last thirty years. Fiengold diet program aims at eliminating artificial colors, artificial flavors, artificial preservatives and artificial sweeteners like Aspartame, Neotame and Alitame.
Aspartame is feared to be harmful to nervous system and has been eliminated from Fiengold program. According to the program, certain foods containing salicylates are not included in the food and once tested for tolerance, may be reintroduced later. Initially foods like apples, grapes and almonds are given to the patient instead of pears, bananas and cashew nuts.
There is a common misconception that softdrinks, chocolate and sugar were also eliminated from Fiengold Diet but the truth is that these items in moderate quantity are encouraged. Families are advised to pick brands free from unwanted artificial additives. It was found out by doctors especially Dr. Fiengold that elimination of salicylates and synthetic food additives from diet cured allergic reactions. Dr. Fiengold put a patient of hives on a diet which was low in salicylate having no artificial colors or flavours. Hives were gone and patient was healthy. Thus Fiengold Diet became famous. Fiengold diet was also used on children with behavioral problems and allergy and it transpired that it worked well for children with behavioral problems only. This Fiengold Diet became famous for helping hyperactive and learning disabled children. Because of the fact that Fiengold Diet was helpful in the management of ‘Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), the diet was renamed as Feingold Program. Dr. Feingold wrote a book for parents and was titled “Why Your Child is Hyperactive” . Another book was written by him in collaboration with his wife and was titles “The Fiengold Cookbook”. Another 400 page book was compiled by him basing on 30 years of experience and was titles “Why Can’t My Child Behave”. Fiengold Diet followers claim that asthma, bedwetting, eye-muscle disorders, seizures, ear infections, sleep disorders, stomach aches, and a long list of other symptoms may respond to the Feingold Diet i.e. Feingold Program.
Dr. Feingold strongly recommends that participation of the other family members in preparation of foods and adherence to Fielngold Diet will help the child. Parents are advised to limit their purchases of mouthwash, toothpaste, perfume, cough drops, and various other nonfood products. Diet’s two-stage program recommends to eliminate from food all artificial colors, flavors, aspirin, and foods with natural salicylates. Stage 2 involves identifying which salicylates can be tolerated by the child. However, after four to six weeks, some foods can be reintroduced slowly and carefully. But be very careful and the child must not know that the offending substance is being reintroduced. In a publication of Feingold Association it is claimed that children and teachers have been noted to suffer from chemicals, furnishing at home and school, housekeeping, pest control, and building renovation.
Exposure to significant levels of chemical fumes buildings can make people ill. Feingold Diet does no physical harm to children and might be helpful in certain cases. It is claimed that many ADD/ADHD sufferers who followed the Feingold Program have experienced great improvements in focus and behavior. Studies show that around 75% of children improve on a diet that restricts additives. Feingold diet also helps weight loss.
Foods with natural salicylates are: Almonds, Apples, Apricots, Aspirin, Berries, Cherries, Cloves, Coffee, Cucumbers, Currants, Grapes, Nectarines, Oil of wintergreen, Oranges, Peaches, Peppers (bell & chilli), Pickles, Plums, Prunes, Raisins, Rose hips, Tangelos, Tangerines, Tea, and Tomatoes. To find out which of the above can be tolerated by the child, reintroduce one food item at a time. Repeat this process two or three times to confirm that certain food is really a culprit. If child’s behavior does not improve, try extensive restrictions on food. Many studies have shown that about seventy percent children respond positively to Feingold Diet Program.
Feingold Association does provide information and support through phone, email and newsletter to start the program.
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