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Feingold Diet

The Feingold diet was established by Benjamin Feingold, MD, a pediatrician and allergist. It identifies and eliminates all synthetic colorings and flavorings, certain preservatives, and salicylates (chemicals similar to aspirin that are found in a wide variety of foods) from the diet. These substances are believed to be linked to behavior disorders, such as hyperactivity, learning problems, and attention deficit disorder in sensitive children and some adults.

Why do people follow this diet?

Children, and some adults, diagnosed with or suspected to have attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD) often follow this diet. Some people follow it to avoid food additives.

What do the advocates say?

The Feingold diet was developed on the premise that salicylates are an underlying cause of hyperactivity. In studies where markedly different levels of salicylates were investigated, a causative role for salicylates could be detected in some hyperactive children. As many as 10 to 25% of all children may be sensitive to salicylates. The success of the diet may depend on the degree of a person’s sensitivity to salicylates and food additives, and the amount of additives present in foods.

According to the Feingold Association, children under six years of age respond within one week of following the diet; children over six may need to follow the diet for two to six weeks to achieve positive results.

What do the critics say?

In some studies, the hypothesis that salicylates are an underlying cause of hyperactivity does not appear to hold up. The Feingold diet is complex and requires guidance from either the Feingold Association or a healthcare professional familiar with the Feingold diet.

What do I need to avoid?

Limiting intake of salicylates—aspirin-like compounds that occur in many fruits and vegetables—is the basis of the Feingold diet. Under the guidance of a practitioner knowledgeable in the Feingold diet, individuals with a sensitivity (or suspected sensitivity) to salicylates should avoid all foods containing salicylates to see if symptoms improve. Dr. Feingold recommends that children who are sensitive to salicylates simply avoid the following foods and substances:

In addition to salicylates, the following ingredients and additives should be avoided. These may be found not only in foods, but also in cleaning supplies, art supplies, and toiletries.

  • Adipic acid
  • Antioxidants (can contain the preservatives BHA, BHT, or TBHQ)
  • BHA (Bishydroxyanisoile)
  • BHT (Bishydroxytoluene)
  • Benzoates, including sodium benzoate and benzoic acid
  • Carminic acid
  • Cochineal
  • Colorings: Tartrazine (Yellow 5), Qiunoline Yellow, Yello 2G, Sunset Yellow FCF, carmoisine (red), Amaranth (Red No. 2), Ponceau (Red No. 4), Erythrocine (Red No. 3), Red 2G, Allura Red 2C, Patent Blue, Indigo Carmine (Blue) Brilliant Blue FCF, Black, Vegetable carbon (banned in the U.S.), Brown FK, and Chocolate Brown HT
  • Concentrates
  • Corn syrup
  • Flavoring (may contain adipic acid or many other compounds)
  • Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP, may contain MSG)
  • Monosodium glutamate (MSG, flavor enhancer)
  • Natural coloring (may contain salicylates)
  • Natural flavoring (may contain salicylates or MSG)
  • Nitrites
  • Oil (an contain the preservatives BHA, BHT, or TBHQ)
  • Sulfur (sulphur) dioxide
  • Sulfites (sulphites), including sodium sulfite (sulphate), sodium bisulfite (bisulphate), sodium metabisulfite (metabisulphite), potassium bisulfite (bisulphate), and potassium metabisulfite (metabisulphite)
  • TBHQ (Tertiary butyl hydroquinone)
  • Vitamin A palmitate (can contain the preservatives BHA, BHT, or TBHQ)

Best bets

Are there any groups or books?

Feingold Association of the United States
PO Box 6550
Alexandria, VA 22306
http://www.feingold.org
NY: Shirley at 631–369–9340 (10:00 am–3:00 pm, Eastern Time)
CA: Colleen at 909–685–0924
CA: Lynn at 408–268–6270 (24-hour fax)

Bibliography

Harley JP, Ray RS, Tomasi L, et al. Hyperkinesis and food additives: Testing the Feingold hypothesis. Pediatrics 1978;61:818–21.

Levy F, Dumbrell S, Hobbes G, et al. Hyperkinesis and diet: A double-blind crossover trial with a tartrazine challenge. Med J Aust 1978;1:61–4.

Mahan LK, Escott-Stump S. Krause’s Food Nutrition and Diet Therapy. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company; 2000.

Williams JI, Cram DM. Diet in the management of hyperkinesis: A review of the tests of Feingold’s hypotheses. Can Psychiatr Assoc J 1978;23:241–8 [review].