ADHD: When Your Brain Is Starving

ADHD isn’t just about hyper kids or distracted adults—it’s about a brain running on empty. The frontal lobe, the very control center for focus, planning, and impulse control, is starving for the nutrients it needs to function. And here’s the kicker: much of what we call “ADHD behavior” may be the direct result of what’s on the plate.

The Feingold Elimination Diet, one of the first programs to link food additives, dyes, and preservatives to hyperactivity and attention problems, showed decades ago that removing these triggers could transform behavior. Pair that with restoring missing nutrients like magnesium, zinc, B vitamins, and essential fats, and the picture of ADHD changes completely. It’s not about being broken—it’s about being undernourished.

What to Remove: Clearing the Roadblocks

One of the biggest take-aways from the Feingold Diet is this: it’s often not the child who’s out of control—it’s the food. Those neon-bright dyes, artificial flavors, and shelf-life preservatives like BHA, BHT, and TBHQ may look harmless in a box of cookies or cereal, but in a sensitive brain they behave like little chemical bullies. Take them out of the diet, and the difference can be startling. Parents often tell me their kids finally sleep through the night, their moods even out, and for the first time, they are able to sit and focus.

A Word About Gluten

A 2024 study in Cureus found that gluten-free diets helped reduce hyperactivity and sharpen focus. And that’s not all. The study also pointed to some exciting new approaches—like adding saffron* and fish oil extracts to the diet—that showed real promise in improving behavior.

*You’ll be hearing much more about saffron, one of nature’s most fascinating botanicals, in my new book!

What to Add: Feeding the Frontal Lobe

Once you clear out the junk, the next step is to give the brain the fuel it’s been missing. ADHD isn’t caused by a Ritalin shortage—it’s caused by a brain that’s running on empty. When you feed it what it’s missing, the changes can feel almost magical.

• Magnesium: I call this nature’s own chill pill. When kids don’t have enough, you see it—restless legs, trouble falling asleep, constant fidgeting. Add it back, and suddenly bedtime battles ease up, and the whole house feels calmer.
• Zinc: This is the mineral that helps kids hit the brakes. Without it, impulse control goes downhill fast. Parents tell me that when zinc levels are corrected, their child isn’t so quick to lose their temper—and they can actually sit through homework without a meltdown.
• B Vitamins: Think of these as your brain’s spark plugs. Without enough—especially B6—the brain can’t make the very chemicals that keep mood steady and motivation strong. Ever notice a child who’s moody, teary, or irritable for no reason? B vitamins are often the missing link.
• Omega-3s: These good fats are literally part of the brain’s wiring. Without them, the “wires” fray and short-circuit. With them, signals zip along smoothly. Parents often report their child can finally focus long enough to finish a book—or sit still through dinner.
• Protein: This one may sound too simple, but protein changes everything. It steadies blood sugar, fuels the brain, and makes the neurotransmitters that control attention. A protein rich breakfast can set the tone for the whole day.
  
  TIP: Here’s where a protein-rich smoothie can save the day — blend in some of these mentioned nutrients and you’ll make even your picky eater happy! If you need inspiration, check out my article “11 Ways to Rock Your Smoothie”

The Undernourished Truth

A brain missing its fuel and clogged with additives and toxins can’t possibly perform at its best. But when you clear out the junk and restore what’s missing, everything changes. Focus sharpens. Impulsivity softens. Sleep improves. The frontal lobe finally has what it needs to get back in the driver’s seat. 

>>Shop ADHD Nutrients: Mag-Key | Zinc | Omega 3’s | Multi-Vitamin | FF Body Protein 

Resources:

Haavik S, Altman K, Woelk C. Effects of the Feingold diet on seizures and hyperactivity: a single-subject analysis. J Behav Med. 1979 Dec;2(4):365-74. doi: 10.1007/BF00844740. PMID: 548579. 

Stare FJ, Whelan EM, Sheridan M. Diet and hyperactivity: is there a relationship. Pediatrics. 1980 Oct;66(4):521-5. PMID: 7432837.

Artificial food colouring and hyperactivity symptoms in children. Prescrire Int. 2009 Oct;18(103):215. PMID: 19882794. 

Abhishek F, Gugnani JS, Kaur H, Damera AR, Mane R, Sekhri A, Singh G, Kaur G. Dietary Interventions and Supplements for Managing Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): A Systematic Review of Efficacy and Recommendations. Cureus. 2024 Sep 20;16(9):e69804. doi: 10.7759/cureus.69804. PMID: 39429382; PMCID: PMC11491108.