Dear Feingold Assn,
Although my children have not been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD the Feingold
Program has become a "lifesaver" around our house. At about age four my
son was becoming very hyper and could not seem to calm down sometimes. We
tried everything - sitting him down and explaining that his behavior was
unacceptable, punishment, limiting snacks (which he had already ate very
little of), cutting back on television (which he generally only watched
PBS stations already). We couldn't seem to discover why he was acting
this way. Finally I heard about the Feingold Program from a Susan Powter
tape. It was pretty enlightening. I decided to join Feingold, not just
because of my son, but because it seemed like a pretty sensible way to
eat. Soon after, I checked out my cabinets and was shocked to find the
amount of BHT, BHA, TBHQ, artificial colors and flavors that were in the
foods I was feeding my 4 year old and 2 year old. I started them off each
morning with a vitamin, granola bar, and cereal. It sounded pretty
healthy until I began to read labels. Every one of these things had
either BHT, BHA, TBHQ, or artificial colors or flavors in it. I threw
everything away that was unacceptable and now when I shop I read every
label, including toothpaste, shampoo, etc.
Although my family is not on the Feingold Program 100% of the time (i.e.
going out to eat at restaurants, parties, etc.)I know that at least thefood that they are getting at home is truly good for them and not a bunch of colors and flavors that are not there to add to my child's health--but are there for the convenience and profits of the food industry.
I think the Feingold Program is literally a "lifesaver" and wish that
every parent could hear about it and follow it. I have spread the word
myself and all my friends and relatives know about it. In fact my son
(who is now 5) started kindergarten in the fall and the first day of
school when the children had a snack, my son asked the teacher, "Does
this have chemicals in it?" I was a little embarrassed at first when the
teacher told me about it, but I was kind of proud of my son for realizing
that there is good food and bad food. Now when he has a snack at school,
if he thinks that it isn't good for him he will either throw it out or
bring it home and ask me about it. I think that's pretty amazing for a 5
year old.
D.K., Philadelphia, PA