ADHD Diet - RPAH Elimination Diet

Around the time the Feingold Diet was being developed in the United States, doctors and nutritionists from Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) were creating a similar diet to address food intolerances and allergies to synthetic additives, amines, artificial compounds, and salicylates. They eventually developed the RPAH Elimination Diet, also known as the FAILSAFE Diet, which stands for "Free of Additives, Low in Salicylates, Amines, and Flavour Enhancers." The aim of this elimination diet is to reduce or eliminate all foods containing artificial additives, salicylates, and amines because of the allergic reactions they induce in some individuals. The RPAH Elimination Diet is known to be just as effective as the Feingold Diet in reducing symptoms of ADHD. However, nutritionists recommend that the diet be a part of a comprehensive treatment plan for best results.

The RPAH Elimination Diet is similar to the Feingold Diet in the sense that all foods with artificial flavorings, preservatives, and coloring are eliminated then reintroduced. However, the RPAH Elimination Diet also excludes foods with high salicylate content. It is more systematic and restrictive when it comes to eliminating all possible reactive foods and measuring the child's response when each chemical is removed. In order for the child to response favorably, the diet must be followed as strictly as possible, because even the slightest deviation can make symptoms return.

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So what kinds of foods are prohibited by the RPAH Elimination Diet? Besides those with artificial additives, most vegetables and fruits are restricted because of their salicylate content. Salicylates are chemicals that naturally occur in fruit and vegetables as their defense mechanism against insects and pesticides. Unripe fruit are highest in salicylates, and the salicylate content lowers as the fruit matures. Fruits can actually be eaten as long as they are ripe and peeled; the highest concentration of salicylates is located underneath the skin. In the case of green leafy vegetables, remove the outer leaves, because these are high in salicylates.

Below is a list of components prohibited by the RPAH Elimination Diet. Check the ingredients label for any of these components before placing food into your shopping cart:
Food coloring All artificial food coloring Natural color 160b Artificial preservatives Sulphites Sorbates Nitrites and nitrates Propionates Benzoates Artificial antioxidants Gallates BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) TBHQ (tertiary butylhydroquinone) BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) Artificial flavorings MSG Glutamates Ribonucleotides Hydrolyzed vegetable protein

The RPAH Elimination Diet also prohibits the following foods:
All fast foods, including meals from fast food chains, fish and chip shops, hot dog stands, pizza chains, and Chinese food Ice cream Processed meats, sausages, and cheese Sweets Baked goods

Replace all the foods mentioned above with fresh unprocessed meats, poultry, vegetables, and fruits. It will take about two weeks for the symptoms of the food intolerance to disappear. Once this occurs, each food can be slowly reintroduced. Until that point is reached, follow this basic diet.
Staple foods - rice, semolina, whole meal, rice noodles Meat - beef, chicken, lamb Fruits - peeled pears Vegetables - carrots, lettuce, parsley Fats - sunflower oil and olive oil Flavor enhancers - sea salt and pepper

ADHD Diet - RPAH Elimination Diet

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