No red dye, sugar free, low carb diet for 6 y.o ideas?

Question

My son whom is six is diagnosed with a mood disorder. His psychiatrist advised me to put him on a low-carb sugar-free diet. (He has been gaining alot of weight on his meds, and this diet is also may help with his behavior.) Here are my questions:

How low carb should we go-what should we limit his carbs to? Doesn't he need some to be healthy and what would you say the recommended amount should be?

Would sugar substitutes be alright a little bit... like sugar free syrup in his milk to replace the Nesquick that he usually has in it. I have seen sugar free ones in the store made with Splenda. Would these be alright? The other thing I know he will have a hard time with is he likes to eat fruit snacks... what could I replace them with?

Does sugar free include fruit? I know fruit has natural sugars in it. Do they count as the same thing?

Answer 1

Hi,

I have my 7 y.o. daughter on a similar diet for other reasons. I suggest going on the website: karenhurd.com and clicking on "specific health concerns" and then click on ADHD.

She is an excellent nutritionist who really "gets it," and understands the workings of the body.

Answer 2

I believe low carb is classified as under 100 carbs per day. There are many sugar substitues (including splenda like you mentioned) some are even a sugar blend if your son can't stand the pure splenda or use it as a way to get him transitioned. I am not sure about the fruit snacks, my only suggestion would see if they make no sugar added ones. Or to help with a sweet tooth give him sugar free jello with whipped cream on top. I know when I eat low carb that i don't eat fruit since it does have the sugar but if he does want fruit, then these have the lowest amount of sugars: Small amounts of lemon & lime, Rhubarb, Raspberries, Blackberries, Cranberries

Answer 3

You really need to talk to a nutritionist about this, not get answers from here. If you don't have the money to consult with a nutritionist, check with your local grocery store - more and more of them have nutritionists on staff to set up a free consultation with.