By Jane Hersey
Introduction by Jay Freed, MD
Dr. Benjamin Feingold, an allergist with Kaiser-Permanente, developed the K-P Diet that eliminated food additives and artificial flavors in the 1960s. While Dr. Feingold passed away in 1982, the program is carried on by volunteers who are members of the Feingold Association. http://www.feingold.org
To give families an overview of the program, I will give highlights of the above named book. This book has many testimonials that I will not try to reproduce. Families will benefit from reading the book, but because of lack of time may want to get started before they have time to read the whole book. There have been some studies done that address some of the pieces of the Feingold Diet, but no one has studied the pure program. (Scientific Studies p. 363-380)
Symptoms that Feingold families testify to having seen improvement:(This is not to say that everyone with these symptoms will see improvement. It depends on the underlying cause.)
Easily upset, incessant crying, temper tantrum
Not hearing what is being said
Motor stuck on fast forward
Repeated behavior even after apparent understanding of reason
You sense that behavior cannot be controlled
Other children avoid playing with your child
Difficulty interacting
Fine one minute, next minute out of control
Demands his way and rules for a game
Off in own world
Always losing things
Homework lost, forgotten or mutilated regularly
Hard time understanding subtle cues, facial expressions
Laugh too loud or inappropriately
Has lots of labels
Hyperactivity
Attention problems
Screaming after eating
Handling home environment, but school is too much
Learning Disabilities
Fine Motor difficulties
Thyroid problems and mood swings
Asthma and Allergies
Hives
Arthritis
Social Skills
Asperger
Autism
Headaches
Sleep issues
Nail biting
Workaholic
Earaches and ear infections
Digestion problems
Bedwetting
Depression
Developmental Delays
Sensory Integration Disorder
Vision Problems
Seizures
Nasal Polyps
Tics
What is the Feingold Program?1. A test – “for several weeks, you use only foods that are free of synthetic dyes, artificial flavors and three preservatives, as well as a group of foods know as ‘natural salicilates.’” p. 16 It is good to keep a diary. P. 552. All of the remaining foods are usually well tolerated. “If this trial results in an improvement in your child’s behavior, or in other target symptoms, then the test becomes a treatment.” P. 163. “After a few weeks of success you can gradually expand the food choices, adding back natural salicylates one at a time, and watching for any return of old behaviors.” P. 16How to begin….Becoming a member of the Feingold Association is essential because they are continually researching the ingredients in a wide range of products and keep the members up to date on changes from the Foodlist that comes in the packet. Membership Packet includes:
Foodlist & Shopping Guide
The Feingold Handbook
Medication List
Recipes & Two-Week Menu Plan
Pure Facts – 10 issues of newsletter
FAUS Counseling Line
Salicylate/Aspirin Senstitivity program
Gluten/Casein-free diet information and resources
List of mail order resources for hard-to-find products
For more information and current membership fee: http://www.feingold.org or call 1 800 321-3287 Common Additives and Sources of Vitamin C (p. 381-386) These lists include all common additives and Sources of Vitamin C. The list also marks items to which Feingold members may be sensitive.
Eliminated on Feingold Program:Artificial FlavoringsAspartame (NutraSweet, Equal –trademarks)BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) – antioxidant preservativeBHT (buytlated hydroxytoluene) – antioxidant preservativeCitrus Red # 2 – synthetic coloringCyclamate – synthetic sweetnerEthyl vanillin – synthetic (artificial) flavoringFD&C colors – synthetic (artificial) coloringMSG (monosodium glutamate)Saccharin – synthetic (artificial) sweetnerTartrazine – FD&C Yellow # 5, synthetic (artificial) coloringTBHQ – (tertiary butyl hydroquinone) antioxidantVanillin – artificial flavoringOther food dyes.Natural SalycilatesAlmonds, oranges, all berries, tangerine, cherries, nectarine, peach, apricot, apple, plum, prunes, grapes, raisins, cranberry sauce, juices from these fruits, peppers (bell and chili and red), tomato, cucumber or pickles, cloves, currants, coffee, tea, aspirin, oil of wintergreen (methyl salicylate).PART TWO p. 56-109 introduces additives and gives a history of FDA approval of many of these.
PART THREE beginning on p. 110-addresses issues like those who hate to cook, doing the Feingold Program on a budget, combining with other nutritional plans and dealing with well-meaning family members or friends who sabotage the process. Other difficulties addressed include: Parenting a Feingold Teen, holidays, traveling, at church and school etc.