The adage that said, “we are what we eat” indeed is true. Food intake does not only help shape the body but also affect thinking processes, feelings, and behaviour or even your well-being in a negative manner. In fact, according to the number of scientific evidence linking brain functions to food, there has been a growing field called nutritional psychiatry. Observing a balanced diet, however, is not the only concern here.

Certain food sensitivities can apparently affect brain functions, especially in children. Chemicals in certain food components like amines, salicylates  glutamates may make children forgetful, energy-less, and absent-minded. This phenomenon is called brain fog.

What is Brain Fog?

Brain fog is called so because of the foggy feeling that people who suffer from it experience. People with this condition feel as if a haze fell over their brains which makes them feel trapped. This means that sufferers could have difficulties in the following:

• Concentration
• Recall
• Comprehension
• Formation of thoughts and ideas

People with this disorder find it difficult to follow a train of thought. They may also feel easily exhausted, disorganized, and less productive.

Brain fog shares symptoms with other mental health disorders such as depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For one, brain fog and depression involve fatigue, lethargy, and difficulty forming thoughts. Difficulties concentrating, focusing, and paying attention, which are common in ADHD, are also considered as characteristics of brain fog.

This mental state is usually common among those who are suffering from adrenal fatigue. However, people can also get it from certain chemical components in the food which they are sensitive of. They are not necessarily allergic to certain food types to experience this disorder.

How Does Food Affect the Developing Brain of a Child?

Studies show that nutrition contributes to the mental health of babies and children. A 2013 study published at the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry showed that high intakes of unhealthy food by mothers during pregnancy predicted externalizing behaviors. Fighting, attacking people, bullying, and vandalizing among other behaviors are examples of externalizing problems. On the other hand, kids with high levels of unhealthy diet after birth often develop internalizing problems such as anxiety, depression, and social withdrawal.

These findings are also confirmed by a 2014 study published in the journal, Psychological Medicine. Besides the link between symptoms of depression and an unhealthy diet both during and after pregnancy, researchers have also found that unhealthy food could lead to emotional dysregulation up to seven years old. Children with emotional dysregulation are prone to angry outbursts and aggression towards self or others. These studies reveal two things: food affects brain functions, and the social behavior of a child can be determined at an early stage of its development.

Do Food Sensitivities Affect Brain Performance?

Food’s effect on brain performance is not only limited by its nutritional quality. Its contribution to brain performance also extends in the kinds of chemicals in the food that may or may not be acceptable to some people. Food intolerance or sensitivities may induce brain fog. This is not to be confused with food allergies. A child may come clean in allergy tests and still have brain fog.

Chemical sensitivity may be the cause of such problems in the mental state. Some food types have naturally-occurring chemicals such as amines, salicylate, and glutamate which could affect a child’s focus and concentration.

A child with a chemical sensitivity towards a type of food tends to produce cytokines which cause inflammation in the brain. As a result, the kid develops tendencies for meltdowns, anxiety, depression, irritability, and brain fog symptoms. Food sensitivity may be induced by an already compromised digestion. Researchers have identified the leaky gut syndrome as a causal agent to food sensitivity.

Which Foods Affect Brain Fog and Concentration in Children?

The top sources of salicylate sensitivity and/or glutamate sensitivity include:

• Dairy
• Eggs
• Gluten, a protein that is present in wheat and possibly in some types of bread
• Shellfish
• Fish, especially if smoked or canned
• Fruits such as apricots, blueberries, cherries, peaches, avocado, and dried fruits because they are usually high in salicylates
• Soy
• Foods that are high in preservatives and dyes

Salicylates are natural preservatives that protect against rot and bacteria. Their chemical structure resembles aspirin. Thus, people who are sensitive to aspirin may also have salicylate sensitivity. On the other hand, glutamate or glutamic acid are naturally occurring amino acids. Foods that are usually high-protein are not good for people with glutamate sensitivity. On a more positive note, glutamates have the least effect compared to amines and salicylates.

Which Foods Help Beat Brain Fog and Improve Concentration?

It is not enough to avoid the above-mentioned food types to do away with brain fog. It is as vital to still maintain a balanced diet from healthy sources.  It is also important to remember that not all the food types listed above are equally threatening to every child with food intolerance. Some kids are more intolerant towards a certain kind while others are less so. This can be gleaned from observation.

When it comes to boosting cognitive skills and concentration in kids, these foods have been recommended by nutrition experts:

• Greens

Green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale are rich in folate and vitamins that are linked to lesser odds of developing dementia later in life. Kale is particularly packed with antioxidants that encourage the growth of brain cells.

• Apples and plums

These sweet fruits that are easily loved by children contain quercetin, an antioxidant that fights the decline of mental functioning.

• Nuts and seeds

Although high in protein, these usually do more good than harm, especially in the area of keeping moods and the nervous system in check.

Kids who are particularly feeling lethargic, absent-minded, and focus-challenged may be experiencing brain fog. Rather than reprimanding them, it is best to consider that their wandering attention could be caused by the kinds of food that are given to them. Further observation and consultations with a dietitian could go a long way to a child’s development and outlook.

If you are struggling with food intolerances, allergies, SIBO or other digestive problems, there are products that can help with symptom relief. I know it can be frustrating but there are treatment protocols and supplements which can really help.

I have designed this product guide to equip you with the best and most effective supplements you can buy for treatment as well as symptom relief. This list has been compiled through my own experience as well as working together with trusted and experienced practitioners.

You can check out my recommended supplement guide here.