parents. Your family may consider experimenting with adding more plant-based foods and reducing animal products to see what improvements may be seen. Using dietary intervention does not mean abandoning medications. Nutrients are compatible with drugs to a greater degree than the medications that are common to ADHD are compatible with other drugs.

Dr. Joel Fuhrman, Dr. Neal Barnard and Dr. Michael Greger offer information on what this lifestyle can do for your child and your family. These physicians, and others, are reputable and base their recommendations on the best research available. ADHD management can be easier when offering the healthiest foods. The bonus is that typical chronic illnesses that so many Americans are experiencing now can be prevented when the illness-causing foods are eliminated and replaced with the most nutritious options. Many cities and town have organized groups for plant-based eating support. If your town doesn't have one, consider working with other parents to create one in your community. You are not alone. Many parents are searching for better answers, just like you. •

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Teri Yunus is a Family Nurse Practitioner and Nationally Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach with Health Up with Teri! She recently retired from her work as a nurse practitioner and devotes her time to coaching with emphasis on transitioning to a whole food plant-based lifestyle. She empowers her clients to take their power back and the results she sees with her clients is transformative! healthupwithteri.com Contact Teri at healthupwithteri@gmail.com

References

Nutrition Guide for Clinicians: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder nutritionguide.pcrm.org/nutritionguide/view/Nutrition_Guide_for_Clinicians/1342020/all/Attention_ Deficit_Hyperactivity_Disorder Updated: November 14, 2017 Diet and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; Harvard Medical Newsletter; published June, 2009 health.harvard.edu/newsletter_article/Diet-and-attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder Diet and ADHD, Reviewing the Evidence: A Systematic Review of Meta-Analyses of Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trials Evaluating the Efficacy of Diet Interventions on the Behavior of Children with ADHDhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5266211 Rationale for Dietary Antioxidant Treatment in ADHD ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5946190 The diet factor in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22232312 Reduced microbiome alpha diversity in young patients with ADHD ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6042771 Gut microbiome in ADHD and its relation to neural reward anticipation. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28863139 Influence of diet on the gut microbiome and implications for human health J Transl Med. 2017; 15: 73. Published online 2017 Apr 8. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5385025 A Gut Feeling: A Hypothesis of the Role of the Microbiome in Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorders ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6047248 Gut microbiota and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: new perspectives for a challenging condition. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28289903 Proper nutrition and supplementation essential for treating ADHD. December 28, 2016 by Joel Fuhrman, MD drfuhrman.com/library/eat-to-live-blog/94/proper-nutrition-and-supplementa- tion-essential-for-treating-adhd Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children: Rationale for Its Integrative Management P. M. Kidd, PhD Alternative Medicine Review - Volume 5 Number 5 – 2000 pdfs.semanticscholar.org/18fb/c9472427d5ac1240ff91ef45432987cf0657.pdf We Are What We Eat nutritionfacts.org/video/microbiome-we-are-what-they-eat Michael Greger, M.D., FACLM, June 12, 2017 – Volume 36 The Healthiest Diet nutritionfacts.org/video/what-is-the-healthiest-diet Michael Greger, M.D., FACLM, October 16, 2016 – Volume 32 Children photo - freepik.com/free-photo/playful-classmates-having-fun-on- playground_867855.htm">Designed by Pressfoto

Children ages 5 and up are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines. The New Jersey Department of Health strongly recommends talking with your pediatrician or fifinding an appointment near you at covid19.nj.gov.