10 Easy Ways to Prevent ADHD
Written with Ann Arbor Holistic Health Practitioner, Alma Moya, FDN-P
After losing her thyroid at 19, Alma turned her personal challenges into a lifelong mission to help others. She is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner with over 13 years of experience, a Board-Certified Health and Wellness Coach, and holds additional certifications in fitness and lifestyle coaching. Now settled on 22 acres, Alma combines her global experience with hands-on living, cultivating an organic farm.
Discover natural ADHD support and holistic strategies, from everyday tips to nutrition and lifestyle practices for focus and balance.
What is ADHD?
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, is often talked about but not always clearly understood. As Alma Moya, FDN-P, explains, “ADHD attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. So what that is, is a neurodevelopmental challenge… We can characterize that by hyperactivity, inability to concentrate, maybe even brain fog. And it's something that persistently goes on and on over time. So it's going to affect day to day functions.”
ADHD can look different from person to person. Some of the most common signs of ADHD include:
Difficulty paying attention
Forgetfulness or disorganization
Feeling easily distracted
Needing great effort just to focus
Alma Moya, an Ann Arbor Holistic Health practitioner, notes that “some of the manifestations may be interrupting, excessive talking, excessive fidgeting… always needing something more, wanting something more, and just feeling exasperated and restless with your life.”
ADHD Support
While ADHD is complex, there are ways to support overall wellbeing and help reduce symptoms.
Alma emphasizes the role of food for brain health, explaining that “we can support the body through the right diet. Having a diet that’s rich in antioxidants and polyphenols really helps neural pathways and neurological health.” She highlights fruits like wild blueberries and vegetables such as sweet potatoes for their brain-supporting benefits. Some supplements can also help calm the nervous system.
Daily habits matter, too. Alma explains, “meditation is a big one… so an active meditation or a walking meditation is one I would suggest.” Even something as simple as a short walk while noticing your surroundings can provide grounding benefits.
At night, Alma encourages a calming routine: “The true nightcap isn’t the alcoholic nightcap of yesteryear, but really bringing in something like a little shot of wild blueberry juice mixed with coconut water… and then maybe sitting for five minutes and closing your eyes.”
ADHD can feel overwhelming, but understanding its signs and taking small, supportive steps can make daily life more manageable. As Alma Moya, an Ann Arbor Holistic Health practitioner, reminds us, paying attention to how we eat, supplement, and care for ourselves each day can help bring more balance to both body and mind.
Understanding what ADHD is and how it shows up day to day is only part of the picture. Just as important is exploring natural ADHD support strategies that focus on lowering everyday exposures and strengthening overall wellbeing. The following tips highlight holistic ADHD approaches you can try at home to help reduce potential triggers linked with attention and focus challenges.
Top 10 Tips to Avoid ADHD Symptoms
1. Eat organic produce, especially if you are pregnant or considering having children. Organic produce complies with strict pesticide regulations and it doesn’t have the synthetic compounds found in genetically modified crops.
2. Wash, wash, wash conventional produce. Though it doesn’t remove all the residue, it at least will help. You can utilize 9.5 alkaline water to soak your produce in or rinse or soak your produce in vinegar or any produce wash.
3. Eat food that is in season. Food that is shipped or trucked in from far away is often treated with chemicals or preservatives.
4. Buy natural cleaning products. Petroleum is the main component in most dish-washing liquids and detergents. Some even contain suspected hormone disruptors. Use healthful cleaning products, such as Ecover, or a home-made solution of vinegar, water and lemon juice.
5. Avoid plastic. Bisphenol A (present in infant feeding bottles) and phthalates (present in children’s toys) are serious hormone disrupters. They can deform sex organs among other things.
6. Avoid air fresheners. Aerosol propellants contain tiny particles which burrow in human lungs, as well as flammable and nerve-damaging ingredients. Instead of spraying Febreeze, open a window, dust or sweep.
7. Avoid Petroleum-based fragrances. Natural fragrances made with actual flower, fruit and plant-based extracts are available.
8. Clean household supplies. Use water-based varnishes and glues, paints, stain removers, sealants and adhesives. Avoid rooms that have been recently painted.
9. Avoid preservatives and food dyes. Preservatives such as BHA, BHT, TBHQ are especially detrimental. Consumption of food dyes has increased almost threefold since the 1980s, rising from 6.4 million pounds in 1985 to more than 17.9 million pounds in 2005. European Parliament passed legislation requiring labels on foods containing dyes to warn that they “may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.” The American Academy of Pediatrics acknowledged in its journal, AAP Grand Rounds that “a trial of preservative-free, food coloring-free diet is a reasonable intervention” for hyperactive children.
10. Get a food allergy test. A simple and cost-effect food allergy test can quickly determine which offending foods may be causing behavioral, mental and physical issues in your child.
If ADHD is a concern and you’re seeking a natural, holistic approach, please contact us today to schedule your free consultation and find out more about how our practitioners can help.
