Great Big Food Experiment: How to Identify-and Control-Your Child's Food Intolerances

Arlene Gryfe is a Toronto-based professional nutritionist and home
economist.

Few situations are more frustrating for a parent than to have a
hyperactive child and not know the substance(s) or events that trigger
the undesirable behavior. Although much research has been conducted in
the past decade, the condition is still not well understood. McNicol, a
consultant and research dietitian, has spent many years studying the
relationship between diet and hyperactivity, in co-operation with a team
of nurses, psychologists, physicians, and social workers.

McNicol acknowledges that the problem can be multicausal, with
different causes for different children. Nonfood factors—including
medication, excitement, household items (such as cleaners and paints),
and environmental contaminants (such as automobile exhaust and cigarette
smoke)—can also trigger erratic behavior. This book is the result of
more than ten years of McNicol’s investigation. It is not, however,
presented as the definitive solution or as a panacea. Rather, she
suggests a sensible way to assess the situation and possibly identify
triggering agents.

Firstly, she stresses that this is not a “do-it-yourself”
situation. One should work closely with a physician and begin by trying
the two most commonly prescribed therapies—i.e., behavior-management
training and drug therapy. Often one or both of these treatments can
ease the tensions of daily life.

Secondly, one must rule out true allergies, which are immune-system
reactions. There are, however, other reactions to food that are not true
allergies. These may occur through other body systems or may be
psychological intolerances.

Lastly, she points out that if you are fortunate, behavior management
and/or drug therapy may control the situation enough to allow you to
focus on the particular food that may be causing the problem. She
sensibly and constantly reminds parents that the Hyperactivity Test Diet
may not “cure” the child, but may make life more tolerable.

Before the child starts the diet, a physician should determine that the
child is healthy and that the behavior is not the result of physical
illness or a social problem. A “Parents’ Questionnaire” and “Key
Indicators” suggest which children are likely to respond to a diet
trial. (Although originally designed for 4- to 6-year-olds, it can be
used for children of all ages.)

The diet is only a short-term four-week plan designed to focus on
contributing factors. Detailed information is provided on how to chart
reactions, when to begin the diet, how to integrate meals with the rest
of the family, and how to cope in other social situations (birthday
parties, Halloween, and so on). Two full weeks of menus are provided,
along with recipes and preparation hints for the following day. There is
a comprehensive list of references and a recommended-reading list, as
well as indexes for both subjects and recipes.

Parents with a hyperactive child would benefit by reading the book.
They might then conclude that this approach may not be appropriate for
their child, but the conclusion would be founded on accurate knowledge
and a sensible analysis of the situation. Should parents decide to
follow through on attempting to pinpoint the causative food(s), this
book provides a workable path to follow and offers support and
encouragement along the way.