fequently asked questions
Who can be helped?
The additives that are removed by the Feingold Diet have been found to cause many types of problems in people of all ages. Most of them are made from petroleum and can affect any system of the body.
Dr. Feingold initially developed the program to help an adult with a severe case of hives, and later found that the same diet helped improve the behavior of children suffering from hyperactivity. Over the years FAUS has received reports from members about a wide range of problems that have either improved or been resolved by following the diet.
But my child doesn't have ADHD; can this still help?
The diet was originally developed for asthma and eczema. Its effect on behavior was a “side effect” noticed in the 1960s when the American diet became so saturated with food dyes and other additives.
The diet still helps people with asthma, eczema, migraines, and other symptoms in addition to behavioral problems or ADHD.
In addition to the “target” person for whom they use the diet, many find that other family members also benefit from eating the healthier food, no matter what their symptoms.
What are the chances this will help me or my child?
We cannot predict if the diet will help, but most of the people who use it say they have benefited, and in many cases the improvement is dramatic. Organizations like ours do not form, let alone continue for decades, unless the volunteers see that their work is successful.
Above is a graph of studies in which the researchers put the children on some version of a Feingold-type diet. You can see the percentage that they said had improved. What they did with these children was then challenge those who had improved with some food dye to see if it made them worse. Depending on how big a challenge they used, they got various results.
Is it hard?
Most people find it takes a few weeks to fully adjust to the changes in the foods they buy and prepare, but that by about the 3rd week it becomes routine. If you see a big improvement, then the effort required will seem small by comparison. The diet itself is no more difficult than any other dietary change, requiring close attention until you are used to it. However, this is actually the question parents using the Feingold Diet are asked most often. Here are some of their answers about what HARD is:
Hard is…
- Seeing my bright, creative child struggle daily to learn because he cannot concentrate.
- Getting the phone call to pick my child up from school because he is out of control.
- Being left out of family gatherings because of the behavior of my child.
- Waiting for over seven years for my little boy to crawl up into my lap and say, “I love you, Mommy.”
- Not being able to ease her pain when she “just can’t stop crying.”
- Changing sheets in the middle of the night.
- Having a child who has no friends, and who is not invited to birthday parties.
- Having to put a helmet on her to keep her from injuring her head when she throws herself down in a fit of rage.
- Going through multiple child care providers and schools because no one can deal with my child.
- Albuterol treatments at 3:00 am.
When these problems go away because we pay attention to the brands of food we buy, or even make our own birthday cake (but there are acceptable mixes!), then life becomes much less hard!
Is it expensive?
Where can I find suitable food?
Don't children want to cheat on the diet?
Most people believe they will, but we have found this is usually not a problem. If the family follows the recommendations in our Handbook, and provides desirable alternatives (and yes, there really are even naturally colored sprinkles) the child him/herself is often eager to stay on the diet and continue to enjoy the benefits. The more dramatic the child’s reaction to the additives, the more motivated he is likely to be to stay away from them.
Aren't FD&C dyes certified to be safe?
The preschool serves snacks. What can I do?
My child is on medication. Can I still use the diet?
What's up with salicylates?
Willow bark, which has long been used to ease pain and fever, contains salicylate which is the basis for aspirin. Some plants make salicylate to protect themselves from insects and disease. Even healthy foods like apples can be a problem for someone who is sensitive to them.
Many people believe that by measuring the salicylate content of various foods we can assume that those with the highest levels are the ones that will cause problems. Unfortunately, it is not that simple.
The Feingold Handbook will guide you through the process of testing for salicylate sensitivity, and the Foodlist helps because it is divided into two sections: non-salicylate foods and those that contain salicylates. See What’s Wrong With Apple Juice?
Does scientific research support this diet?
Yes, FAUS collects the research on food additives and their effects on behavior, learning and health. You can access it here.
The 2007 British study by McCann et al impressed the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) so much that the AAP published an article saying “…a trial of a preservative-free, food coloring-free diet is a reasonable intervention.” An editorial in the British Medical Journal (May 2008) argued that removing dyes and preservatives should be a standard part of ADHD treatment.
Are food dyes really harmful?
Yes, numerous studies have found that dyes are harmful. They can damage the DNA, the reproductive system, the immune system, cause headaches, reduce valuable nutrients in the body, cause cancer and bring on symptoms of ADHD.
Most of them have already been banned, but the few that remain are being used in ever-increasing amounts.