What is the Feingold Diet Program
The Feingold Diet Program is a dietary test to determine if certain foods or food additives are causing particular behavioral symptoms. Individuals who are likely to respond to the Feingold Diet Program have often been labeled with hyperactivity, ADD (attention deficit disorder), autism, PDD (pervasive developmental disorder), or salicylate sensitivity.
How the Feingold Diet Program Works
The Feingold Diet Program is based on an elimination diet composed of two stages. In Stage One of the Feingold Diet Program, both the chemical compounds found in certain food additives and the salicylate compounds found in certain foods (and non-food items) are avoided. (Salicylate is a group of chemicals related to aspirin.) Certain fragrances and non-food items which contain the chemicals listed above are also eliminated, hence the reason for calling it the Feingold Diet Program, rather than simply the Feingold Diet.
In Stage Two of the Feingold Diet Program, the salicylates are tested by trying them to see which (if any) can be tolerated.
Feingold Diet Program - Some Items to Eliminate
If you are known or suspected to be extremely salicylate-sensitive, you should avoid anything - food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, art supplies - that has any of the following ingredients:
- Aspirin and products containing aspirin or salicylic acid
- Salicylates
- Almonds
- Apples
- Apricots
- Berries (all)
- Cherries
- Chili powder
- Cider & Cider Vinegar (Apples)
- Cloves
- Coffee
- Cucumbers & Pickles
- Currants
- Grapes & Raisins
- Nectarines
- Oranges
- Paprika
- Peaches
- Peppers (Bell & Chili)
- Plums
- Prunes
- Tangerines
- Tea
- Tomatoes
- Wine & Wine Vinegar (grapes)
- Oil of Wintergreen (methyl salicylate)
- Rose Hips or Acerola (often found in vitamins)
Note: For other items to avoid, see the Feingold website, listed below.
Feingold Diet Program - Symptoms It Has Helped
Some of the symptoms which have proved responsive to the Feingold Diet Program include: Marked Hyperactivity (eg. constant motion, inability to sit still etc.), Impulsive Actions (eg. disruptive behavior, unkindness to pets, inappropriate noises, loud talking, interrupts often etc.), Compulsive Actions, (eg. repetition of an activity, touching things or people excessively, chewing on clothing, other objects etc.).
What Does The Feingold Diet Program Include
- Foodlist & Shopping Guide (more than 100 pages)
- Feingold Member Book
- Handbook
- Mail Order Guide
- Fast Food Guide
- Pure Facts Newsletter: updates Foodlist 10 times a year, provides articles on new research, member issues, etc.
- Help-Line: E-Mail and Phone help - no charge
How Much Does the Feingold Diet Program Cost
The Feingold Program costs approximately $85.00 for a lifetime membership. For up-to-date details about the Feingold Diet Program visit www.feingold.org.
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