ADHD
<p><b>ADHD and your child's appetite</b></p><p>Children need sufficient energy, protein and nutrients to grow. In most cases, if your child’s weight is low or decreasing, it can be a result of a lack of nutrients in their diet.</p>
<p>Loss of appetite is among the most common side-effects of the stimulant effect of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication, and can lead to deficiencies and stunt growth.</p>
<p><b>Why is your child underweight?</b></p>
<p>While stimulants are the best and most common type of medication used to treat ADHD, medications can curb appetite, due to the following reasons:</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Your child may be burning off energy due to hyperactivity.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Medication can make your child less hungry, and the body burns calories faster than usual.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>Your child may have lost interest in food.</p>
<p>•<span style="white-space:pre;"> </span>At mealtimes, your child may become distracted.</p>
<p>The good news is that, if your child’s appetite loss is mild, occasional and not causing alarming signs of poor health, you can make adjustments to their diet rather than changing ADHD medications.</p>
<p><b>How can weight be increased?</b></p>
<p>Offer your child three small meals and three snacks a day and make sure these meals are nutritious and energy-dense.</p>
<p>High energy and high protein foods are the best and easiest ways to increase your child’s intake without increasing portion sizes. High energy foods are usually those that contain fats and sugars which will help your child put on weight.</p>
<p>Protein, on the other hand, will promote growth and help build muscle. Both these nutrients are essential in increasing weight and promoting growth in your child.</p>
<p><b>Improve appetite</b></p>
<p>Choose the right foods for your child that will benefit their brain health and improve concentration.</p>
<p><b>A high-protein diet.</b> Beans, cheese, eggs, meat, and nuts can be good sources of protein. These foods are best in the morning and for after-school snacks.</p>
<p><b>More complex carbohydrates.</b> Add vegetables and some fruits to your child’s diet, like sweet potatoes, broccoli, green beans, carrots, asparagus, oranges, tangerines, pears, grapefruit, apples, and kiwi. Eating complex carbs throughout the day can make it easier to wind down at night.</p>
<p><b>More Omega-3 fatty acids.</b> You can find these in tuna, salmon, and other cold-water white fish. Walnuts, Brazil nuts, and olive and canola oils are other foods with these nutrients.</p>
<p><b>Takeaway</b></p>
<p>With the help of your child’s doctor, find ways to experiment with new varieties of foods, portion sizes, and mealtimes to help your child balance their weight while on ADHD medication.</p>
