Definition
Feingold diet is a dietary intervention popularized for symptoms of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity by Benjamin Feingold, M.D., a pediatric allergist who clinically observed improvement in behavior in his patients for whom he prescribed dietary restrictions for management of symptoms of allergy. It calls for the elimination of synthetic food colorings and synthetic preservatives made from petroleum-based products, synthetic sweeteners, and foods containing high levels of natural salicylates (related to the chemical compound in aspirin).
The Feingold diet eliminates:
Synthetic food coloring made from petroleum products (e.g., Red #40; Yellow #5)
Synthetic food preservatives made from petroleum products (e.g., BHT-butylated hydroxytoluene)
Foods that may be high in natural salicylates (e.g., apples, almonds, berries, cucumbers, grapes, and oranges, among other fruits and vegetables)
Artificial sweeteners (e.g., aspartame)
Foods could be reintroduced as tolerated....
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References and Readings
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Hyman, S. (2013). Feingold Diet. In: Volkmar, F.R. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_23
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