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More children than ever are being diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A group of researchers from Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago found that there is little research to support that sugar and/or artificial sweeteners affect kid's behavior. However, they did find that the Feingold diet, also known as the 'elimination diet,' does help these kids. This diet avoids foods most often associated with food allergies, and supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish oil capsules. It also suggests avoiding food with red and orange dyes and preservatives.

Another diet that some studies say works is the hypoallergenic, diet. That means no cow's milk, cheese, wheat cereal, eggs, chocolate, nuts and citrus foods. This is an extremely difficult diet for most families, according to study author Dr. J. Gordon Millichap, a professor emeritus at Northwestern University Medical School and neurologist at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.

Dr. Roberto Lopez-Alberola, chief of pediatric neurology at University of Miami School of Medicine, believes children with ADHD need to avoid preservatives and dyes. "We ultimately are what we eat, and unfortunately as a result of our poor Western diet, we see this in the increase in the rate of obesity, particularly in the young population," Lopez-Alberola said. "In the same way we see an impact physically, it's going to have an impact from the neurodevelopmental standpoint. It's not surprising we see a parallel in the increase in obesity and in ADHD."

Do you have children with ADHD? Have you tried changing their diet? What worked for you?