Hi there,

I have my son following the Feingold program (Feingold.org) in addition to doing basic MB. The program eliminates all foods that contain artificial colors, flavors, preservatives (BHT etc.), sweeteners, and foods high in salicylates in stage 1 (apples, oranges, tomatos, grapes, stone fruits-plums/cherries/etc., berries).

Perhaps they use many of the convenience vegetarian foods, many of which contain every one of the above items. The FG association has food lists from manufacturers that will give you okay foods to buy. Just because it isn't on the label, doesn't mean that its not in there because manufacturers don't have to list things that are 2nd or 3rd party ingredients or proprietory aka 'natural flavors'.

My son is in stage 1 of the program and we have been doing it for 2 years. I was surprised how much an apple can effect his behavior. A half of an organic apple will have him out of control, unable to make eye contact and usually wet his pants. He's almost 5 and has been potty trained for 2 years. He is sensitive to the salicylates in foods. I have been doing this for awhile, so I know he can have 10 raisins in his oatmeal, but not a whole box, and never alone without another food to buffer it.

If results aren't seen in a few weeks on stage 1 then the next thing to try is to eliminate dairy and gluten and see what happens. ADD is on the same spectrum as autism, just on different ends. Many parents of ADD and autisitc children have had great results doing this. I try to have several gluten free meals a week.

Again, we follow basic MB principles too, so this keeps us eating pretty much how things grew out of the ground, seasonally correct and temperate climate...with the exception of some fruits that my son can eat... and in the middle of yin/yang foods.

I hope this helps.
Thanks,
Eileen