hyperactive

This is more for my own reference than anything else.

The last few weeks when I pick Keilah up from her class at church for MOPS and bible study, the director has mentioned that it is pretty much impossible to get Keilah to complete any of the tasks/crafts/stories/etc.

It finally dawned on me, that she might have ADHD. Jason jokes that he is ADD, but all joking aside he really thinks he does have it.

Since we were at the doctors today anyways, Jason and I asked the pediatrician about it. The doctor said that ADD/ADHD is genetic and it is very likely that if Jason had/has it then she could have it too (this is while Keilah was practically bouncing off the walls of the exam room. Case in point). The doctor said that it isn't really a big deal until the child is around 7-8 years old because that is when it really starts to affect schoolwork. She told me to go ahead and start researching behavior modification so we can learn how to help her at home.

The ped also went on to say how diet has a huge affect on behavior. She strongly believes that all the processed food we (not specifically us, just society in general) eat has a huge effect on kids' behavior. The longer the shelf life, the worse it is for you. Not to mention the high sugar content in all those processed foods.

I've suspected the food=behavior link for a long time now, and she really reinforced for me that I am doing the right thing when it comes to the types of food we don't allow her to eat or drink. Keilah does not drink juice or soda. Period. She drinks water or milk (occasionally). We limit sugary items that she eats to an occasional treat, not a daily norm. I try to make things from scratch whenever possible. We freeze our own whole wheat waffles, banana bread, french toast, etc. A long time ago we stopped using pre-packaged meal prep stuff. I can't remember the last time I bought a frozen food item besides vegetables (and ice cream--that is totally my weakness, but that is only when I don't make it myself). I've been trying to find good recipes for rice, etc., so I can make them from scratch and not use the processed box kits. Yeah all those things are fast and easy, but I think the doctor was right that it is better to go back to basics and try to stay away from the processed foods as much as possible. I am by no means a "health" nut nor are we on a diet. We enjoy all kinds of food, I am just trying to do so without the preservatives. We have a long way to go....there are a lot of food items that I still need to find replacements for and we need to increase our fresh vegetable intake, but I think I am headed in the right direction. :)