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Kids Behaving Badly

Find yourself struggling to make your little angels behave? For most parents the tireless energy of young kids is exhausting at the best of times. And if they're regularly eating packet meals and sugary treats, all that boundless enthusiasm is likely to be scaled up a notch.

If you're reading this magazine, you're probably not one of the legions buying in Turkey Twizzlers. But as anyone who has young children will tell you, idealism can go out the window in a sea of dirty nappies and demanding toddlers. What parents may not realise, however, is that diet can have a direct effect on behaviour. So when your toddler regularly acts up, it may not just be childish exuberance. And saving time in the kitchen could lead to hours of grumpy tantrums.

A diet for badly behaved kids is one of sugary drinks and packet foods, with little oily fish, nuts, and seeds. All of the former foods have been associated with undesirable behavioural symptoms, and all the latter with boosting brain activity and concentration. 'Foods which are high in sugar raise blood sugar levels, causing the body to pump out insulin.' Explains Dr Alex Richardson, of Food and Behavioural Research. 'Later the level crashes, which leads to irritability, moodiness, and a craving to fix the problem with more sugar.' If this crash occurs at the supermarket, for example, it might go some way to explain why a young child is throwing a tantrum for sweeties. 'Steady blood sugar levels are a really important component in terms of the body's ability to process information, regulate moods, and stay calm.' Says Dr Richardson.

The problem for many parents is they simply don't realise how much sugar their children are eating. And breakfast cereals and ready-meals aimed at children are some of the worst culprits for hidden sugars. By cutting as much sugar as you can from a child's diet, you're also protecting them from weight problems and diabetes in later life. Weekly sweets, and occasional ice creams and puddings are fine, but avoid sugar being a daily treat.

The other major area to pay attention to is fats - namely good fats and bad fats. The brain is 60% fat, and in growing children in particular, the right sort of oils are essential to healthy brain function. The Food and Behavioural Research body currently conducts groundbreaking research into this area, and have brought to light some major findings on diet and emotional well being. Top of the list for health are complex Omega 3s fatty acids found in oily fish. Deficiency in these fats has been directly linked with mood problems ranging from emotional sensitivity and troubled sleep patterns, to attention and memory problems. Lack of Omega 3 is also particularly common in children with diagnosed behavioural problems such as attention deficit disorder, and other problems such as dyslexia.

Essentially, growing children have a lot to contend with. Their bodies are growing rapidly, and they are learning at an astonishing rate. Giving them the correct fuel with which to do this ensures they have the ammunition they need. The simplest way to do this is to avoid as many ready-meals, replace sugary breakfast cereals (or make your own), and put as much seafood on the menu as you can. And if you're a time-pressed parent inwardly groaning at the thought of the extra work, think of how much smoother life might be with a few less tantrums.

Mood Food Facts

Teenage mood swings? Deficiency in Omega 3s has been linked with depression, emotional sensitivity, sleep problems, moodiness, and even dyslexia and attention deficit disorder.
Demanding sweeties in the supermarket? Excess consumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates causes tiredness, irritability, and a craving for more sugar.
Won't eat what's put in front of them? Zinc deficiency inhibits taste-bud function, making kids more likely to crave highly flavoured salty and sugary foods.

What should you be avoiding?

Lots of refined carbohydrates - found in products made with processed white flour like white bread, pasta and cakes. These cause energy peaks and slumps which have been associated with irritability, antisocial behaviour, and even aggression and low IQ.
Trans Fats - the body simply doesn't know what to do with these unnatural fat substitutes. They are believed to inhibit neurotransmission in the brain. Found in most commercially produced cakes, biscuits, and fried products.
Added Sugars - found in soft drinks, squashes, ready meals, sauces, breakfast cereals. Like refined carbohydrates they cause energy slumps resulting in tiredness and mood swings.
Addictives - Such as those used to colour and flavour crisps, snacks and sweet drinks. It has now been proven conclusively that food additives worsen the behaviour of hyperactive children. You can draw your own conclusions as to whether they are a healthy addition to your child's diet.