As a few of you konw, I'm new here because I have some serious ADD like symptoms that have peaked in the last 6 months although I have had slight symptoms ever since childhood.

I have been reading *alot* over the last few days.

I would like to toss out a few things taht I have experienced over the last three years.

First, I have self diagnosed a wheat allergy. I eat wheat products, I get a skin rash that doctors have told me is dermatitis (its not, i stop all wheat intake and it dissapears) along with a feeling of bloat.

If I eat short string carbs (say >100g) I go into carb comatose and lose all focus... get sleepy, etc...

I was on a high protein/low carb diet for 2 years and did not have many of the ADD symptoms I am seeing now.

I have been off of this diet for the last 9 months while my wife has been pregnant. (cant be on low carb while pregnant)

All the ADD symptoms are back worse than I have ever seen them.....

I went on the diet in the first place because Atkins and the other high protein diet authors say that these diets will lifft the "brain fog"... and thats exactly what I had. I also could lose about 20 lbs... which I really cared less about.

The diet actually worked. After about 2 weeks of the diet, my brain fog mysteriously lifted and i felt great. energy, focus...nice

I told my wife last night i'm going back on the diet and I think i'll add a gingko supplement and see what happens.

I do nnt want to goto a doctor and get prescribed any meds. The possible side effects are too much of a gamble for me.

Any other thoughts?

Charles

I have never tried a low carb diet. I had dismissed the whole low carb/high protein phenomenon as a fad diet, until just recently. I have always craved rare, red meat in the worst way. I do tend to run on the anemic side, and I take iron supplements (:sick: yuck).

I am now seriously considering changing my diet. Just hearing that carbs cause many people to feel foggy is enough for me to think about a change. For me, the consideration alone is huge. I have never had weight issues, and have never done any formal"diet", just the good old standard food pyramid. As I get older/smarten up, I am becoming open to new dietary ideas. Anyone's suggestions are welcomed.

I would also like to add that prior to researchign this diet (3+years ago) I had *never* contemplated myself having ADD, I didnt even know what it was really. I just thought i was getting old...and wanted to get rid of the "fog".

http://www.amenclinic.com/ac/addtests/inattentive.asp

Even Dr. Amen is recommending hig protein/low carb diets for ADDers.

I dont know if it will help with the other aspects, but it sure helped with my "fog".

The more quality protein I eat and the less white bread/processed pasta/etc. I eat, the more energetic I feel both physically and mentally. I've decided Wonder Bread is officially poison, no matter how enriched it is. (I have lots of diabetes issues in my family.)

How do you define quality protein? I have been under the impression that it is too expensive for me to afford on any kind of regular basis. I really hope I'm wrong. I hate the thought of alternating between peanut butter and tuna fish for the rest of my days.

Dont get caught up in over-definitions. Eat meats - simple enough. Soy is a good protein source as well.

Thank you very much. I'll give it a try.

By the way, do you know if this type of diet is recommended for children? I've got a handful of foggy little friends around here, and they eat a good, balanced variety of healthy foods with a light sprinkle of junk thrown in for the sake of happy childhood memories, but if I could safely improve things for them, I most certainly would.

I have never heard of children going on this diet... although

I would defer your question to the Atkins, Southbeach, or Sugarbusters diet websites. There are others, these are just the most common.

NOTE** If you do not need to lose weight.... skip the Induction phase of these diets. (intake of less than 20 carbs a day for the first few weeks)

My focus was better even when my carb intake was ~80 carbs a day. (maintenance phase of the diet) I was not gaining nor losing weight at this level of intake. Each persons "balance" point will differ.

GL2U

I think for me that sugar is the problem. (Sad, because I love candy.) High fructose corn syrup is to be avoided, and it is in almost everything, because it is cheap for makers to include to get that much-coveted sweetness. looks like! I am also now limiting starches that turn easily into sugar: white bread, potatoes, pasta,white rice, etc.

I am "perkier" with more veggies, fish, poultry and grain foods, and moderate amounts of fruit. I have been told to limit red meat to one serving per week!

For folks with a weight problem, I read that portion control is the key. Everybody (including me) is putting too much food on their plates. I have started eating less and lost 3 pounds last week. Only 27 to my target.

And I have to say that I do like a refreshing alcoholic beverage in the evening to go along with the NCAA basketball tournament. I really don't feel like cutting those particular calories.

Hey, Ace, good news! I've heard from reliable sources that beers or candy don't count if you consume them while standing up. :D