Fed Up: Understanding How Food Affects Your Child and What You Can Do About It [Paperback]

Food intolerance is a relatively new area being studied and we are far from completely understanding how chemicals (food and other)affect the body. Sue Dengates book was the first piece of literature which gave me an insight into food intolerance and how it affected me. Years later I still am re-reading it. EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A COPY!!!!

Growing up, though outside of the home I was thought to be an angel and was achieving exceptional grades (without studying mind you, which I have always regretted) - at home I was often a completely obnoxious, uncontrollable terror. The foods I was eating affected my health and mood (I often had a cold, had constant swings between adoring everyone and being depressed or angry - especially if I was asked to clean up etc). Rarely did a day go past where I did not get into trouble. We all thought it was normal behaviour - part of growing up. Imagine everyones relief when I started eating "friendly foods". In fact everyone noticed improvements - and mum's migranes are gone.

I can't begin to descibe the profound effect this book and finding out about food intolerance has had on my family's life. I am still learning how food effects me. This isn't a diet!! Everyone is affected by food differently and everyone has a different tolerance level to certain chemicals (refer to "Super Size Me").It is about finding out if and to what extent you are affected - allowing you to make informed decisions about what you put in your mouth - allowing you to lead the life you want to lead.

Once big problems like health and behaviour have disappeared there are subtle effects food has on your mood, concentration,sleep, balance etc These take longer to fix - and often you only notice the difference when you start eating the wrong foods again. I am one of the lucky ones to have been affected enough for the diet to have a notieable difference in my behaviour so these subtle benefits can give me the extra edge over my competition at university.

Sue, if you read this - I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH!

Now, the previous reviewer sounds like someone threatened from the pharmaceutical community. (oh goodness, can you imagine how much money they would lose when more figure out this is all diet related and no drugs are required?) It's obvious, too, that the previous reviewer lacks ANY degree of context or understanding what life is like with a child reacting/acting out a wide range of behaviors and health concerns.

So, moving on to the book. Sue's book is very good. She goes in to detail about various types of foods that can cause reactions.

My one complaint is she trashes Feingold. Frankly, we do the Feingold diet and have had great success. Sue says that Feingold doesn't go in to detail. (She obviously never ordered the materials as the binder educates what to do when the first level of the diet isn't enough.)

So, if you're in Australia, I DO recommend her and the link to the hospital department that has safe food lists.

If you're in the US, order the Feingold materials (feingold.org OR ADHDdiet.com) - it's tax deductible as Feingold is a non-profit organization. The foodlist is worth its weight in gold. There's a sister organization in the UK, sorry - can't remember it's name at moment.

Lastly, Sue doesn't explore what can be a major key for many families who need to go this route: use of Enzymes.

There's a forum over at Yahoogroups called EnzymesAndAustism that has nearly 3,000 members and frank discussions about enzymes, which company(s) [I'll not mention the company here as I don't want to appear that I work for them - I don't, of course but believe in them!!!] and also other potential (non-medical) treatments. Btw, the group is not just for autism... a whole HOST of behaviors includding ADHD, ODD, PDD, ACD, AS, Asperger and so many more are discussed there. Plus, enzyme help for those who are also GFCF. http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/EnzymesandAutism/ Visit the group's homepage to see the description in order to discern if lurking in the group will be beneficial for you.

Bottom line - Yes, the book is worth the read, and depending on your locale, a really book jumping off point.

Keep in mind, though, that this book is not the last word on the subject. Always do your own research to discern what's right for you and what works. Good luck!!!

I had an ADHD son and a "failing" baby who possibly would not have survived who were both "cured" by this diet. I myself have shaken off my long term depression due to it also. We do not need any medications now.

Try the diet for a month before you trash the idea,... if you do not experience any changes then trash it but I would like to bet that the positive changes will change your mind.

For even easier reading and guidance, get hold of Failsafe Cookbook which is easier to refer back, and follows up this first book of Sue Dengate's. There is also a webpage (www.fedupwithfoodadditives.info) with heaps of information and also scientific study with proof on how added preservative in our bread can cause serious side affects in our childrens behaviour and illnesses.