Why Your Child Is Hyperactive [Paperback]

M.D. Ben F. Feingold (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 12, 1985

Contains detailed information by the doctor who first reported that hyperactivity in children is often caused by artificial food coloring and food flavoring. Includes the Feingold diet and how it should be applied.

Editorial Reviews

From the Inside Flap

Contains detailed information by the doctor who first reported that hyperactivity in children is often caused by artificial food coloring and food flavoring. Includes the Feingold diet and how it should be applied.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Random House (February 12, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0394734262
• ISBN-13: 978-0394734262
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #69,028 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

110 of 114 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book to treat child without drugs, September 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Why Your Child Is Hyperactive (Paperback)

My son was diagnosed with ADD/Autism at age nine and put on ritalin. The drug helped, but my son's pediatrician was planning to put him on stronger medication which had serious side effects. I wanted to try something different and happened to see Dr. Feingold on a television program. I decided we had nothing to lose and bought the book.

The results were stunning! Not only was my son extremely cooperative about this diet because he felt better, but I watched as my son was transformed in a matter of weeks from an uncommunitive child into a child where the world was full of wonder. I cried the day he noticed trees in our yard -- he could not see them through the window from inside, he told me. And then there was the day he came inside in wonder because of the individual snowflakes he could see on his coat sleeve.

When I asked him what snow looked like to him before that, he told me falling snow looked like sheets whipping on the line in the wind.

I cried that day as well.

My son discovered television -- he had not been able to concentrate on any programs before -- he began to have friends and to play and to get into mischief. Further, the doctor was amazed at the improvements when Jon was retested. When I told the doctor it wasn't the medication he prescribed for the change, but the Feingold diet, the pediatrician went out and bought a copy.

I continue to tell people about this book and my son. It is easily understood and well written. Further, Dr. Feingold explains his research and findings. It was one of the best finds I ever read and highly recommend it to anyone who is searching for answers and solutions for their child's behavior and learning problems.

By the way, today, my son nearly has a degree in science, has served in the Air Force with distinction, graduated the second in his class and is not only working full time with recognition for his work, but has begun a business. And yes, he continues to be careful about what he eats because he notices he just doesn't feel good unless he follows the Feingold diet introduced when he was nine years old.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was spared from drugs as a child due to this book, January 13, 2001

By 

"cntrlnwt" (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why Your Child Is Hyperactive (Paperback)

This is the most amazing diet for hyperactive/add children and adults (yes, even adults).

As a child I was the definition of short tempered and became frustrated at even the simplest tasks. Then, before drugs were mentioned, my mother heard of Feingold's program. Immediately after starting removing all artificial flavors, colors and preservatives from the food I consumed, the world changed. I was then a perfect (normal) child. My parents did have to bribe me though to stay on the program, every week that I did not cheat I got a "Star Wars" action figure on Thursdays.

Here is a simple experiment that I use to demonstrate to people the effects of artifical ingredients: go to the store and by some cheap popsicles. Eat the red one almost immediately the back of your throat will start to burn or become irritated, most of people mentally justify this with the sugar content, that is the effect of the red dye. Don't believe me? Eat the yellow one!

As an adult most of us have bad days for no explainable reason, I believe this is due to our diets of fast artifical food. And thanks to Feingold, I try to minimize my bad days.

This is not just another diet, if you look at it logically you can understand that it is best for your child and yourself more so than drugs.

This is the best program without it I do not believe I would have attained two degrees and a successful life. Now, I am passing it on to my children even before problems arise.

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MIRACULOUS TOOL NEEDED BY PARENTS/GUARDIANS, April 19, 2004

By 

advid reader "reading keeps the mind young" (East coast-U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Why Your Child Is Hyperactive (Paperback)

Dr. Feingold's book saved my sanity in 1985 through this book! My daughter who was absolutely unable to follow directions, or listen for more than one minute is just the beginning of descibing her challanging behavior before applying this book to her life! She was so hyperactive it meant a day of running around in circles, running up a wall, jumping off of furniture, absolutely "crazy" actions constantly. Our lives with her were sheer he--: trying to go out in public, attend religious events, visit friends/relatives, go to the park or groucery store meant an exhausting, unpleasant experience! I had taken her to a nutrionist, allergist, & psychiatrist to find an anwer and help. No specialist was able to help. I bought this book figuring that we were running out of hope; let's try it. I read this book and began following Dr. Feingold's methods exactly as he writes. Within four days my daughter's behavior changed into a normal functioning small child. My mother came to visit us on the fourth day of the Feingold Diet and was upset thinking that I had heavily medicated my daughter because her behavior was totally normal for a child her age!!!!! I explained what I did: exliminating all foods and starting fresh from scratch and slowly reintroducing foods. My daughter has NEVER been medicated for hyperactivity or any behavior disorder. We only fed her what was well tolerated. THIS BOOK IS A MIRACLE TO OUR LIVES!!!!!!! From 1985 to today has been a wonderful experience with my daughter!!!!!! She has been very successful in school (including college), sports, popular, and a pleasure to be around!!!!! This is the complete truth. I hope that other parents will take the time to get the book for the child who is "uncontrollabe, hyperactive, or unfocused" and follow it! The initial few weeks are difficult but it is worth every ounce of energy utilized!!!!! Please, for your sanity and your child's acceptance get and practice Dr. Feingold's methods to your child's life; it works!!!!