If you’ve seen Video I, Way 1: Feed Your Brain, you know my mantra that, “If you’re eating a donut for breakfast, you’re kicking your own ass down the street!” Diet is — along with exercise and proper sleep — the most POWERFUL and FUNDAMENTAL of all natural ADD remedies for adult ADHD symptoms, in my view. Our YouTube channel and ADD Crusher™ Video I have more on all three of these key brain feeders. But in this post, we’re focused on ADD diet…
Lots of research has been done – and continues to emerge – on the unique dietary needs of adult ADDers. This research is helping to define the ideal diet for adults, and of course, foods/ingredients that seem to exacerbate ADD symptoms. There are four principles that Crusher™ teaches in the curriculum, and they’re easy to remember and implement:
- Sugar Sucks – it generates a quick burst of mental energy but then fades quickly, leaving you with an energy crash.
- Carbs Kill – simple carbs, in particular, act much like sugar on our brain. Look instead to complex carbs.
- Protein is Power – it provides sustained mental focus compared to the quick flashes produced by sugar and carbs.
- Omegas are Mega – certain cold water fish in particular contain omega-3s and -6s that are shown to improve cognitive function. But lots of nuts and other foods also contain these brain-boosting essential fatty acids.
Protein is Power! Omegas are Mega!
There’s a lot more info on diet covered in the Videos and Audio Companions, but these four principles are a good start. And know that there are a helluva lot of claims out there contending that this food or that food, a certain natural herb, etc., is a remedy for ADHD symptoms – many of which are just plain bogus BS. And speaking of herbs…
Supplements, Herbs and Homeopathics
Another natural ADHD treatment many people try is herbs and other supplements. Regarding supplements as natural remedies, I’ll just say two say two things. First, the only supplements I recommend are research-supported, no-baloney brain aids, easily remembered as ZIMB6 (pronounced, “zimbee-six”, for easy memorization). It stands for Zinc, Iron, Magnesium and B6. Get some good supplements and take the recommended daily allowances. Second is: Research the crap out of claims that sound too good to be true about supplements, herbs, etc., because 99 times out of 100, such claims are…crap.
Natural is good. As long as it’s…well…GOOD – and not BS junk you found on some dicey website or spam email. You can help yourself to escape the overwhelm and start living to your potential by putting as many ADHD treatment options to work for you as possible. ADD Crusher™ videos and tools only teach alternative and natural strategies. And they’re all…naturally GOOD.
Bottom Line: Be careful about your diet (including vitamins and other supplements) – because along with exercise and sleep, it’s the most important thing you can feed your busy brain. And be just as careful about falling for any marketing promises that are not backed by rigorous scientific research.
P.S. If you haven’t yet heard of www.CrusherTV.com, I hope you’ll check it out. Each Monday night at 10pm we “air” another episode chock full of useful productivity tips and “brain hacks”, and our Guest Experts provide more great ideas. Tons of other benefits for members, including free group coaching sessions. Hope to “see” you there! – Team Crusher
