Feingold Diet 
The basics
The Feingold diet is part of the Feingold Program to reduce or eliminate symptoms from disorders like ADD, ADHD, learning and behavior problems, asthma, and related symptoms. The founder of the program, Dr. Benjamin Feingold, believed that these problems are a result of ingesting too high amounts of artificial chemicals. This elimination diet encourages eating like people used to eat before foods with these specific chemicals were widely used in the food supply.
- Stage one—Eliminate aspirin and foods containing salicylates (found naturally in many fruits and some other foods), all artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, aspartame (Nutrasweet, an artificial sweetener), and the artificial preservatives BHA, BHT, TBHQ.
- Stage two—After symptoms are reduced or eliminated, you may be able to reintroduce foods containing salicylates; however, the other chemicals should be avoided for life.
Best bets: Enlist the help of the Feingold Association or a health professional knowledgeable in the program, as the diet can be complex to learn. Fruits that don’t contain salicylates include pears, pineapple, grapefruit, and bananas, among others, and may be eaten at any time during the program.
More about this diet
The Feingold diet was established in the late 1960s and early 1970s by Benjamin Feingold, MD, a pediatrician and allergist. According to the Feingold Association, in stage one of the program, a group of naturally occurring salicylates are removed from a person's diet and, after a favorable response is seen, reintroduced in stage two as long as the person tolerates them (salicylates are aspirin-like compounds that occur in many fruits, a few vegetables, and certain other foods); other substances, such as synthetic dyes, artificial flavors, and the specific preservatives BHA, BHT, and TBHQ are eliminated entirely. These substances are believed to be linked to behavior disorders, such as hyperactivity, learning problems, and attention deficit disorder in sensitive children and some adults.
Why do people follow this diet?
Children, and some adults, diagnosed with or suspected to have attention deficit–hyperactivity disorder (ADD or ADHD), learning and behavior problems, and asthma often follow this diet. Some people follow it to avoid food additives.
What do the advocates say?
The Feingold diet was developed on the premise that salicylates may trigger hyperactivity. In studies where markedly different levels of salicylates were investigated, a causative role for salicylates could be detected in some hyperactive children. As many as 10 to 25% of all children may be sensitive to salicylates. The success of the diet may depend on the degree of a person’s sensitivity to salicylates and food additives, and the amount of additives present in foods.
According to the Feingold Association, children under six years of age respond within one week of following the diet; children over six may need to follow the diet for two to six weeks to achieve positive results. This elimination diet is advocated as a more natural way of eating, the way people used to do before conditions such as ADD were so prevalent in society.
What do the critics say?
In some studies, the hypothesis that salicylates contribute to hyperactivity does not appear to hold up. The Feingold diet is complex and requires guidance from either the Feingold Association or a healthcare professional familiar with the Feingold diet.
What do I need to avoid?
The Feingold Association recommends that naturally occurring salicylates are removed from the diet in the early weeks of the program. Under the guidance of a practitioner knowledgeable in the Feingold diet, people with a sensitivity (or suspected sensitivity) to salicylates should avoid all foods containing salicylates to see if symptoms improve. These include:
In addition to salicylates, the following ingredients and additives should be avoided. These may be found not only in foods, but also in cleaning supplies, art supplies, and toiletries.
- Synthetic dyes
- Artificial flavorings (including the synthetic sweetener aspartame)
- Three preservatives: BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole); BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene); and TBHQ (tertiary butyl hydroquinone)
Best bets
Nonsalicylate fruits that may be eaten at any stage of the program include:
During stage two, all foods free of synthetic additives are acceptable, including, but not limited to:
Are there any groups or books?
Feingold Association of the United States (FAUS)
554 East Main Street, Suite 301
Riverhead, NY 11901
www.feingold.org
Bibliography
Harley JP, Ray RS, Tomasi L, et al. Hyperkinesis and food additives: Testing the Feingold hypothesis. Pediatrics 1978;61:818–21.
Levy F, Dumbrell S, Hobbes G, et al. Hyperkinesis and diet: A double-blind crossover trial with a tartrazine challenge. Med J Aust 1978;1:61–4.
Mahan LK, Escott-Stump S. Krause’s Food Nutrition and Diet Therapy. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Company; 2000.
Williams JI, Cram DM. Diet in the management of hyperkinesis: A review of the tests of Feingold’s hypotheses. Can Psychiatr Assoc J 1978;23:241–8 [review].
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The information presented in the Food Guide is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of US–registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2009.