So I have been asked why I am going with out sugar. So here is my answer. William has had a tough start at school again this year(yay for life). The second day while sitting in the principals office William teacher and the principal asked if I have had William tested for anything. I told them "no". They went on to tell me the good reasons to get William tested (they were really careful not to say what for but I knew the meant ADHD) and to put him on medication. I told them at this point it is not an option but will think about it. I also told them that I felt that it is over diagnosed and over medicated( and plus I really believe William doesn't have it and I have read a lot to trust you mother intuition on this subject and that is what it is telling me). So I went home and Jeremiah and I talked a lot about it and prayed about it. The next morning around 3 am I woke up feeling like I need to fast for William the next day. The amazing thing is even though I wasn't fasting for the thing I need most (inspiration of what to do)(I was fasting that he would have a good day), I received the answer I need. I felt inspired to change his diet to help him out. So from that day I have taken out all dye's from his diet. And I have tried to take out as much sugar as possible. The whole family is abiding by this diet. I didn't want William to feel singled out and this would benefit all my kids and me. So we have been eating a lot of oatmeal for breakfast. I use sugar free, organic apple juice instead of water to sweeten the oatmeal. But I feel we are all getting bored of this breakfast(after eating it for almost 3 weeks). So this is why I am searching for help. Plus I feel like my kids need a little treat now and then. I have been making some treats with honey instead or by cutting out part of the sugar. But I could still use some help.
Also if anyone had information at there about how to help ADHD kids with out medication I would love to get a hold of it.
William has made a some progress already and I want to make sure I continue it.
7 comments:
Hey Missy, I have a recipe for a couple of different hot cereals you could try, I also have a great recipe for Blueberry/Cranberry Granola Muffins. I am also really into using Xagave (see www.xagave.com) It is a combination of Blue & White Agave (Natural)and you can use it in anything, Kool-aid, baking,you can even put in directly on your peanut butter sandwich, I even made some pancake syrup with it! Right now AlpenGlow is seeing if they can get it in Casper for me. I have been getting mine from Bosch store in Utah when I am there. It is kinda pricey but I love it! I am teaching a Whole Grain Cooking class tonight 9/10 for 3rd Wards Enrichment night & you could taste the muffins. It starts at 6:30 at the Poplar Bldg. Hope this helps!
As a teacher I heard (no real source) that ADHD kids needed a couple of focus ponts so that when attention drifted from one thing they had a place to direct that attention and then back again. (FOr ADHD kids it happens a lot while reading a story their brains need a break and take one without being told often many times during a story) Practice at home before you send it to school but maybe while reading use one of those squeeze balls (or ballons filled with different stuff.) I had a friend who painted her daughter's fingernails so that when she got board instead of disrupting she could peel the paint off her nails. It will take some practice at home to train how to move attention intentionally but it might help him gain a lot of self control (ADHD or not). Maybe if it is a problem when sitting in a circle as a class tie a "frienship" bracelet around his ankle that his hands can be busy while the teacher is talking. The goal is something so simple that it won't be disruptive to people around and that can be done without too much active attention but yet a "go to" place when he has to move or needs a thinking break. Good luck and please let us know what you find that works as I have one that I think may struggle with too much energy too.
Sorry to be so chatty but now you got my brain working overtime... (I am seriously NOT just 'plugging' my whole grain class - I promise) You need to use as little "simple carbs" as possible as the body converts them to sugar very quickly for energy so it is not just the eating of 'sugar'. Whole grains take more effort to be digested and more satisfying too plus you get the much needed fiber in your diet. You should avoid foods that are "processed". White flour and white rice easily convert to sugar in the body. You will become a master label reader that is for sure. Your journey is a difficult one but worth every second if it works. Best wishes! PS - My Grain Blog (still an infant so be patient)might be of interest to you. Tastygrains.blogspot.com
Hey Missy!
I miss you tons. I always try to keep up with you and the kids through your blog. I just wanted to root you on. It is a hard thing to try to keep your kids away from sugar in a society that hands it out at every corner. During primary, at the bank, or any visiting family trying to score points. I think my kids are completely different creatures when they get sugar. I am not too crazy about it. But I try to make it a real treat, instead of an everyday thing. For breakfast we have lots of Eggs, whole grain bread, cottage cheese and fruit. Even a little yogurt can be good with a balance of protien. I have also seen a big diffence with processed food. Try natural peanut butter and all fruit jelly. Smuckers makes a great jelly that is only sweetened with fruit juice. It costs a little more. But the flavor is strong enough that a little of it goes further. My kids favorite treat is peanut butter balls. It is just PB, Honey, powdered milk, and Wheat germ mixed to taste and texture that is able to roll into balls, about the size of a nickle or bigger and then rolled in either coconut or gram crackers to keep them from being too sticky. My biggest chanllenge is asking my mom to not show her love for my kids with cookies for every meal.
Good luck! I know you can do it!
Due to living with an insulin dependent diabetic for many years we had a low sugar if not sugar free kitchen for a long time. There are many sugar substitutes you can cook with. Unfortunately, while sweet they sometimes have an aftertaste or some other property that is not totally desirable.
I found that reading labels helped. Anything with more then 10 grams of sugar was out. Smaller portions of some things worked well. If the label says a portion is say 3 cookies and had x grams of sugar on cookie might work. Also graham crackers and vanilla wafers (six if I remember correctly) was allowed.
Fruit treats were always OK. Sweetening with undiluted frozen apple juice concentrate worked well as did undiluted frozen concentrated white grape juice. I was able to use these is some baking. Fructose works but can cause diarrhea if over used so I didn't use that much.
One thing we had a lot was sugar free jello instant pudding. I always made it with skim milk. Add a little banana or strawberry to it and it is a nice sweet treat.
I don't know much about ADHD but I do have some thoughts on no refined sugar diets. My SIL is on one. She uses Stevia, real maple syrup, and honey (like you said) as sweeteners. She has made some delicious ice cream with maple syrup and coconut milk. If you really want some recipes from her let me know and I can email them to you.
Granola is a good. You can make it with just honey or the other sweeteners I mentioned. I love to eat it, it just takes time to make. If you put nuts in it is more filling too. Let me know if you don't have a recipe and you want mine.
Good luck with everything. You are a great mother. Your kids are so blessed to have you take care of them and love them.
Woah! I had no idea how many entries I was behind in reading! I love that you guys are doing a nutrition approach -- I really believe it can work miracles.
About the food dyes: it's sooooo true! Check out http://student-health-issues.suite101.com/article.cfm/food_coloring_and_adhd or http://ezinearticles.com/?Food-Dye-ADHD---Does-it-Really-Contribute-to-the-Disorder?&id=2238089.
I think your homemade bread could help things out a lot, too. You can even pick up the wheat grinder next time you're in Provo!
Good luck with everything. We miss your family like mad! (Oh. And this is clearly Mickelle.)
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