Junk Food Is Like Heroin!
There is research out there – from the reputable Scripps Research Institute – that suggests high-sugar and/or high fat diets actually trigger addiction in the same way that drugs do. In fact, this occurs through the same neural pathways as heroin.
Most people who have ADHD children or treat ADHD patients know that there is a strong link between certain foods or food ingredients and behavior; it doesn’t take a genius to know that high-sugar foods will trigger hyper behavior, but less well-known are triggers in food dyes, preservatives, etc.
This Scripps research suggests that we all have to be more careful about junk food. As a passionate lover of Doritos and whatnot, I have a hard time with this, but I see every day in school the effect that some foods have on our ADHD students and the associated negative behaviors and poor class performance.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/6451119/Junk-food-as-addictive-as-drugs.html
High-sugar, high-fat muffins or donuts may be an acceptable treat now and again, but probably not before school. Why? Because lots of students end up lethargic and and dull-witted until the effect wears off. Protein in the morning is always a better option. Part of our mission at Elijah School is to educate the whole student – understanding foods’ effects, both positive and negative – and that includes their bodies.
The same goes for various high-energy drinks: a 16 oz. Monster has about almost more than two-and-a-half times as much caffeine as a Diet Coke. It is a reasonable hypothesis that a young person who drinks said Monster will not be in a condition to do any serious learning. Or focusing. Or even thinking. His brain will be in overdrive until the caffeine wears off, and even then there may be an even worse “crash”.
We strive to educate students with learning differences to make wise decisions in school and in life. Go ahead and have that Monster – at a sleepover or a youth retreat, but not before geometry. I firmly believe that when donuts are offered, it is our moral obligation to have one: but it shouldn’t be the only thing we eat for breakfast, and if you’re being offered them every day you need to move. Or call me.
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