Orange juice and school-related meltdowns

[EKS]

For the entire time I was homeschooling my younger son (grades K-4), he would frequently have meltdowns during lessons.  These incidents always happened within an hour or so of starting.  I could always identify a school-related cause, in the sense that they didn't totally come out of the blue, but it always seemed like there was something more going on.

 

After a year where he attended a b&m school full time, we are again homeschooling two subjects in the morning.  And again the meltdowns started happening.

 

For practically his whole life, my son has insisted on drinking orange juice in the morning (with food too).  About a week ago, he drank milk instead of orange juice in the morning.  No meltdown.  Did it again the next day.  No meltdown.  And again.  And again.  For a week we have been meltdown free!

 

Is it possible that the orange juice has been causing this?

[GoVanGogh]

I have problems with low blood sugar. I drank orange juice for breakfast for years, then a doctor told me how bad that 'jolt' of sugar was first thing in the morning. Yes, it is natural sugars, but orange juice is really high in sugar. I quit drinking it and seldom have blood sugar issues.

I can not have things like maple syrup on pancakes or a sweet roll in the morning, either.

My chidl is the same way, must have more protein with breakfast than any other meal.

[itsheresomewhere]

Google how orange juice is made. You may never buy that junk on the shelf again. The amount if crap they have to add into it to make it juice again is just nasty. We either buy fresh made from the farm or make our own.

[AmandaVT]

Google how orange juice is made. You may never buy that junk on the shelf again. The amount if crap they have to add into it to make it juice again is just nasty. We either buy fresh made from the farm or make our own.

 

 

I did this last spring and it was so depressing. I haven't bought packaged OJ since. :-( 

[lynn]

For the entire time I was homeschooling my younger son (grades K-4), he would frequently have meltdowns during lessons.  These incidents always happened within an hour or so of starting.  I could always identify a school-related cause, in the sense that they didn't totally come out of the blue, but it always seemed like there was something more going on.

 

After a year where he attended a b&m school full time, we are again homeschooling two subjects in the morning.  And again the meltdowns started happening.

 

For practically his whole life, my son has insisted on drinking orange juice in the morning (with food too).  About a week ago, he drank milk instead of orange juice in the morning.  No meltdown.  Did it again the next day.  No meltdown.  And again.  And again.  For a week we have been meltdown free!

 

Is it possible that the orange juice has been causing this?

 

My dd is the same way.    We went through a lot with my oldest so I was quickly able to pinpoint the cause of her melt downs.  We stopped all juice for a while and she is much calmer.

[dbmamaz]

Pretty sure OJ is a no-no in the Feingold diet . . . not the sugar but another chemical?  that some kids can be sensitive to?

[MunRoLy]

Thank you for mentioning this! For the past 6 weeks I have drastically changed ds8's diet and have been astounded at the positive behavioral changes. I recently bought OJ and was having him drink it because he was coming down with a cold and his behavior has become worse. I wouldn't have made the connection to OJ.

[MunRoLy]

Pretty sure OJ is a no-no in the Feingold diet . . . not the sugar but another chemical? that some kids can be sensitive to?

Anyone know what this chemical is? I'd love to know as I'm trying to figure out the things ds8 is sensitive to.

[justasque]

OJ is pretty high in sugar; high glycemic index.  Brings your sugars up rapidly, then you crash.  If you're sensitive to sugars, then you do better, mood-wise, if you avoid sugar, other sweeteners, and things like white bread or white rice (vs. whole wheat bread or brown rice).  It also helps to eat small, frequent meals, that include a strong protein (peanut butter, egg, lentils, beans, meat, etc.).  It takes some time to learn to read labels and identify problem foods - white grape juice, which is frequently in juice blends, comes to mind.  But the effort is well worth it because eating higher glycemic index foods can become a vicious cycle, as you crave the quick blood sugar boost when you're low, which sets you up for another crash.

[planner]

Anyone know what this chemical is? I'd love to know as I'm trying to figure out the things ds8 is sensitive to.

You avoid salicylates on the Feingold diet.  I highly recommend this diet if you think your child has food sensitivities that are causing inattention or behavior problems.

[MunRoLy]

You avoid salicylates on the Feingold diet. I highly recommend this diet if you think your child has food sensitivities that are causing inattention or behavior problems.

I have seen miraculous results in ds8 after reading and implementing dietary changes from The N.D.D Book by Sears and also Cure Your Child with Food. But I'm thinking Feingold could help even more. Is the $69 PDF package all I need to purchase? Maybe I should start another thread...

[Chris in VA]

My mom always has OJ for breakfast--she even buys it here if we are out. (Actually, we don't drink it and only buy it if she's coming.) She calls it her "coffee." 

Dad says she's been falling asleep about 2 hours after she wakes up in the am--Hmmm. 

 

Thanks, I think I'll talk with her about it. She'll be resistant, and she's 81, so prob not going to change, but it might be worth a go. 

 

Hope things with your son work out. 

[EKS]

Thanks everyone!