I wonder if eating healthy or drinking energy drinks reduce ADD/ADHD symptoms Or having a good night’s sleep?
From my own observations, it seems that I tend to be more focused and pay attention better after eating or doing certain things.
When I don’t have a good night sleep I have difficulty hearing what people are saying, it’s like my mind blocks them out intentionally for some reason.
If I don’t eat right, I become self-absorbed and become less alert to the environment around me (bad for driving!).
If I don’t drink an energy drink on a work day I am more prone to passive-aggression and holding grudges against others, and fail to be more open minded and see things from other peoples’ point of view. I also have a harder time pleasing customers when I don’t have an energy drink to give me the boost.
But is there any scientific reason why this is? Am I just off on everything?
I think eating less sugar and less artificial coloring and flavoring can reduce the problems associated with this disorder. Eating healthy can make you feel better and when you feel better you will sleep better.
Source: Yahoo Answers
January 29th, 2008 at 10:40 am
I believe I can help you some. There are 3 things the body needs: air, water, and nutrients.
Think of it this way… you can go minutes without air, days without water, and weeks without food. So this is the order in which you need to focus on things to start getting more focus, energy, and health.
Start out by breathing correctly. If your stomach does not "push" out when you breathe but sucks in, then you are breathing incorrectly. Most of the alveoli that are in the lower part of the lungs (they transfer oxygen to the blood). Light breathing does not fill this space. You need to breath deep, and imagine filling your lungs from the bottom up (just like you were filling a pitcher with water). After doing a couple of deep breaths like this you may actually feel a little light headed. This is normal as the body adjusts to now having oxygen.
75% of Americans and 90% of the world are chronically dehydrated. Drink approx 3 liters of water a day. If you are thirsty then you are already dehydrated. Drink PLENTY of water. It is vital to the health of your body. Dehydration is one of the major causes of fatigue. Drink drink drink.
Eat right. Do not mix carbs and meats, it can take up to 8+ hours to digest if you eat them together. If you eat meat with veggies it takes about 3-4 hours to digest, if you have carbs with veggies roughly 3 hours to digest, meat and carbs 8 hours. That is why you have the lasting "full" feeling when you eat meat and carbs… the problem is that digestion takes more energy to do than anything else your body does (besides sex). So you are over working your body when you do not eat right. Stay away from milk products to as they coat your stomach and intestines and halt the nutrients from being absorbed.
I think if you breathe right, and drink plenty of water, it will help you concentrate and focus on any task you wish.
Hope this helps you some.
December 10th, 2008 at 8:11 am
No eating healthy or drinking energy drinks does not affect ADHD, and I don't see a connection between ADHD and your commentary.
December 10th, 2008 at 8:49 am
well no cause i have ADHD and energy drinks don't help if you want to reduce you symptoms than you truly need to want to change cause if u go to pills than it could make u depressed like it made me.
December 29th, 2008 at 8:55 am
I think eating less sugar and less artificial coloring and flavoring can reduce the problems associated with this disorder.
Eating healthy can make you feel better and when you feel better you will sleep better.
March 26th, 2009 at 9:39 am
No. What I found out by my own experience is that sugar actually helps when you get ready for bed- it makes you sleepy-Mountain Dew. I hate it but if I need to go to bed I drink that stuff and it works. Eating healthy and drinking healthy only makes you feel good, it doesn't help much with your genetics.
May 13th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
calcdffirefighter where are you getting your information? You are completely wrong.
You are full/satiated for longer when you eat a lot of protein because it takes longer to digest period. This is not from eating carbs and protein together and this is the problem with the fitness and nutrition industry as a whole. No one really knows anything and the information out there is based on “old wives tales” and not on science. You are supposed to eat carbs and protein together as well as with fats. You need all three of the macro-nutrients. The whole air, water, nutrient thing isjust great sounding BS.
I know you believe it to be true but come on that is an oversimplification. If you guys want to know more about the science of nutrition please go get the bood “You on a Diet” by Memmet Oz. Also to answer the original question. Yes energy drinks will make us more alert and focused because caffine is a stimulant. It is very similar to Aderol(or however it is spelled) Stimulants such as these help treat the symptoms of ADHD.
June 28th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
My 12 yr old was just diagnosed with ADHD by her school’s district psychologist- recommending referral to an outside dr or therapist. I had her see her pediatrician and made an appointment with behavioral health at the center we both go to.
oddly, in the past, though I thought it was a mistake by not watching on my part, Mountian Dew put her to sleep early, and she slept like a log.
My housemate gave her an energy drink- she bought it from him for 50 cents- and her behavior changed. She was calmer and more like- I dunno- more like herself as a younger child.
She took her bike to the local convenience store tonight to get a snack. She bought a large can of ‘monster energy drink’. I am not familiar with these drinks. She had already drank half.
When she came home, she was calm, polite, used a normal inside voice, didn’t whine about small things. Especially didn’t whine about future things- like when she would go to bed, if she would have computer time- and then I put it together.
I will try a small amount of these drinks before anyone puts her on a stimulant or straterra.
I am too scared of the side effects- a 7 yr old my mother knew, after being placed on an adhd drug- walked in front of a moving school bus within 3 days of being medicated- because she was either overmedicated or the medication was not right for her- dunno- but don’t want my child in a daze.
If this and counseling doesn’t work, I will next try b’calmed- a natural remedy many parents compliment.
-Tracy