🧠 Ask The Expert: ADHD Awareness – Spotting Early Signs in Kids

Hi Dawn, thanks for your question. Yes, some foods and excessive screen time can make ADHD symptoms more intense. Some kids are more sensitive to certain food additives, preservatives, or sugar spikes, which might lead to mood swings or energy crashes. It doesn’t mean sugar is bad, but balancing their intake (with other healthy foods) and frequency can help with steadier focus and behavior. Same with screen time - too much overstimulation can make it harder for kids with ADHD to regulate their focus and emotions, especially after fast-paced or highly stimulating content. On the flip side, fish oil or foods rich in omega-3s, particularly EPA and DHA may help with attention, focus, and emotional regulation - the effects won't be as significant as medication but it's an alternative if you prefer a non-medication approach with less side effects. So while food and screens don’t directly cause ADHD, they definitely affect their behaviors!