A case in point was one first-grader I had who could not keep still in class. He often got out of his seat, spoke out during class, couldn't concentrate on lessons and had the same kind of “hyperactivity” at home according to his mom. I took note of his lunch he brought most days and it was usually a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on white bread, cookies and kool-aid. I suggested that his mom just try sending a lunch meat sandwich on whole wheat, an apple and milk and to watch his sweets at home as well. He changed almost within a day or two. He could control himself during class, he started to learn and his mom told me she could see the difference as well.
Now, I don't claim to be a doctor or nutritionist, but if that kid could respond like that so quickly with a simple change in diet, I think many more may benefit as well. Besides, we all know what is healthy eating even when we are grownups. How much more so a child who is still developing?
I have a six year old who we found reacts severely to artificial dyes. The difference in her behavior without them is huge. Even some previously skeptical people have seen the difference when they accidentally gave her stuff with dyes (and we didn’t know about it but wondered when we saw her flipping out.) I wonder how much of the links to “sugar” is actually to “artificial dye” or other unnatural products?