Feingold Diet: Treatment for Hyperactivity

Dr. Benjamin Feingold

There are several diet-related theories concerning the cause or treatment of hyperactivity and learning disorders. One of the most controversial and widely discussed treatment theories is that of Dr. Benjamin Feingold (1975), who proposed that food additives in the child's diet induce hyperactivity. Feingold noted that artificial flavors, artificial preservatives, and artificial colors have been on the increase in the American diet and that youngsters today consume a large variety of food additives. Therapy consists of the control of the child's diet and the removal of food additives.

Numerous studies have been conducted on the Feingold diet. Most, however, have found that the method is not effective in controlling hyperactivity. Silver noted that the Feingold diet is "not effective in treating hyperactivity in most children. There may be a small percentage (1% to 2%) who appear to respond positively to the diet for reasons that are not clear. There is no way for the physician to identify in advance which patients might be part of this small percentage."

However, the Feingold diet continues to enjoy popularity and has may supporters. Parents and others who are followers of the Feingold approach to hyperactivity have banded together to form local Feingold Association groups. In 1983 Mattes estimated that 20,000 individuals were members of Feingold groups and that the diet had been tried on more than 200,000 children.