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The Feingold diet is a food elimination program developed by Ben F. Feingold, MD to treat hyperactivity. Like all diets, it follows a relatively strict 'shopping list' of allowances. The 'Feingold shopping list' is what we'll refer to it as from here. It eliminates a number of artificial colors and artificial flavors, aspartame, three petroleum-based preservatives, and (at least initially) certain salicylates. There has been much debate about the efficacy of this program. Some mainstream medical practitioners deny that it is of any value, while other medical practitioners, as well as many people living with ADHD and parents of children with ADHD, claim that it is effective in the management of ADHD as well as a number of other behavioral, physical and neurological conditions including salicylate sensitivity. The debate has continued for more than 30 years, involving not only consumers and physicians, but scientists, politicians, and the pharmaceutical and food industries.
The Feingold shopping list Program eliminates three groups of synthetic food additives and one class of synthetic sweeteners:
- Synthetic colors (FD&C and D&C colors)
- Synthetic flavors (several thousand different chemicals)
- Synthetic preservatives (BHA, BHT, and TBHQ)
- Artificial sweeteners (Aspartame, Neotame, and Alitame)
The above-listed colorings and preservatives are made from petroleum. The word 'synthetic' is used instead of 'artificial' because not all artificial colorings are eliminated by the program. For example, titanium dioxide and coloring made from iron oxides are acceptable, posing no problem for most people. Only FD&C and D&C colorings are eliminated. There are thousands of synthetic flavorings, from a variety of sources, most of which are not specified in ingredient lists. Due to the "de minimis" principle, safety and neurotoxicity studies are not required for these chemicals. Aspartame and its related chemicals have recently been eliminated from the 'Feingold shopping list' Program because of evidence that they may be harmful to the nervous system.
During the initial weeks of the Program, certain foods containing salicylates are removed and may later be reintroduced and tested for tolerance, one at a time. Most of the problematic salicylate-rich foods are common temperate-zone fruits, as well as a few vegetables, spices, and one tree nut. During this early period, foods like pears, cashews and bananas are used instead of foods like apples, almonds and grapes.
Contrary to popular misconception, soft drinks, chocolate and sugar have never been eliminated on the 'Feingold shopping list' Program, although moderation is encouraged when consuming such items. Families can often continue to eat the types of food to which they are accustomed, including desserts. It is a matter of picking brands free of the unwanted additives. Most of the acceptable foods are easily available at supermarkets.
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