Is Your Child’s Behaviour Coming From the Brain or the Plate?

As parents, we often ask, “Is my child just acting out? Or is there something deeper going on?”In my recent podcast with Dr. Ana Maria, we dove into one of the most misunderstood areas of pediatric health: the connection between neurological behaviour and nutrition.

What we found is both eye-opening and empowering for parents out there.

Where To Start? Behaviour, Biology, or Nutrition?

As a clinical nutritionist, I always begin with a dietary history. 

Dr. Ana Maria echoed the same:

“Every child who comes in, we do a diet history, because the nervous system responds to what’s on the plate.”

Before we jump to labels like “ADHD” or “oppositional behaviour,” we need to rule out what’s silently affecting the brain, and that’s often food.

PANDAS, Neurological Inflammation & What the Research Ignores

In our conversation, Dr. Ana Maria shed light on conditions like PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections). Even when the root is an infection or autoimmune response, the nervous system remains inflamed, and this inflammation is directly affected by food.

While conventional medicine often turns to sedatives just to calm the nervous system, so, there’s a glaring gap in addressing food as part of the treatment strategy.

How Red Dye 40 Affects the Brain? Especially in Sensitive Children

Red Dye 40, also known as Allura Red AC, is one of the most widely used synthetic food dyes in the world. It's found in everything from candy and cereal to fruit drinks and even medicine. The emerging research shows that for certain children, especially those with preexisting neurological vulnerabilities, this dye may trigger significant behavioural and cognitive effects.

1. Neuroinflammation: The Silent Trigger

Artificial dyes like Red 40 are known to cause oxidative stress and inflammation in some individuals. In sensitive children, this may disrupt the blood-brain barrier, allowing inflammatory molecules to reach the brain. This can result in:

• Irritability

• Hyperactivity

• Poor impulse control

• Sleep disturbances

In children with conditions like PANDAS, ADHD, or a dysregulated immune system, this inflammatory response can worsen neurological symptoms or even mimic psychiatric disorders.

2. Disruption of Neurotransmitters

Studies suggest that certain food dyes could interfere with neurotransmitter function, particularly dopamine and norepinephrine, two key chemicals involved in attention, motivation, and emotional regulation. A dysregulated dopamine system is a hallmark feature of ADHD. So while not all children show symptoms, those with a genetic or biological predisposition may be far more sensitive to these disruptions. But if you think it would not affect my child now, it might affect them in future. Chemical is chemical; it can't be a food. 

3. Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis

Red Dye 40 may also disrupt the gut microbiome, which plays a critical role in mental and emotional health via the gut-brain axis.It disrupts the gut bacteria and increases markers of anxiety when exposed to artificial dyes.

In children, a disrupted microbiome can lead to:

• Poor digestion

• Impaired nutrient absorption (especially B-vitamins, iron, and magnesium – all crucial for brain development)

• Altered mood and behaviour through the vagus nerve and the enteric nervous system

  
  

4. Bioindividuality and Genetic Differences

Not every child reacts the same way. That’s the core issue.

Some children may be more sensitive to food additives because of:

• Differences in how their body removes toxins (this depends on certain genes like GST or COMT)

• Trouble with methylation, which is a process the body uses to protect the brain and repair cells

• Lack of key nutrients like B-vitamins, zinc, or magnesium, which help the brain stay calm and focused

These differences mean that even small amounts of artificial colours, preservatives, or sweeteners can affect their mood, energy, and behaviour more than other kids.

Every Child Today Is Drawn to Sugar, And It's Not Just a Sweet Tooth Anymore

Let’s be honest, almost every child today is addicted to sugar. It's not just about candies or desserts. It’s in breakfast cereals, flavoured yoghurts, packaged snacks, sauces, and even ‘health drinks.’ The problem? This constant exposure is rewiring their brains.

The sugar activates the same reward pathways in the brain as addictive substances. That’s dopamine, serotonin, and the limbic system, which are the emotional control centres. So when we say kids are “hooked,” it’s not metaphorical. It’s biochemical.

And yet, many parents are unaware. Innocently, they continue to buy “kid-friendly” foods without realising they’re fueling chronic inflammation, erratic mood, low focus, lower concentration and even early insulin resistance.

Now, here’s the twist: Even the parents who are aware, who try to avoid sugar or have cut it down from their child’s diet, often turn to so-called “natural” alternatives like stevia or monk fruit.

Yes, I agree these are safer compared to refined sugar. But when something is given in excess, especially over the long term, it can lead to unintended effects.

Dr. Ana Maria also pointed out that in her clinical practice, she has come across studies showing that children who regularly consume stevia or monk fruit often end up eating more sugar and simple carbohydrates than those who don’t.

Why is that?

These sweeteners trick the brain into expecting sugar, but when the calories or glucose don't arrive, the brain sends stronger hunger signals, especially for fast-absorbing carbs. That means more:

• White bread

• Pasta

• Chips

• Biscuits

• Juice boxes

  
  

Over time, this behaviour drives a diet high in refined carbohydrates, the exact type linked to:

• Neuroinflammation

• Behavioral instability

• Blood sugar crashes

• Reduced cognitive performance

So while these sweeteners don’t spike insulin directly, they can still lead to indirect metabolic disruption and emotional instability.

What Can Parents Do Right Now?

Here’s what we both recommend for parents who suspect that behavioural changes might have dietary roots:

1. Record a 3-day dietary log: It’s the first diagnostic tool to identify patterns, hidden sugars, processed ingredients, and food triggers.

2. Eliminate artificial additives temporarily: Especially dyes, preservatives, and synthetic sweeteners. Even a two-week elimination can reveal powerful changes in mood and focus. If you're child and you happy with the change, continue the same for health benefits. 

3. Track your child’s reactions:Mood, energy, sleep, digestion, and attention. But always do this with professional guidance so you know what you’re observing.

4. Support gut-brain health with:

   • Whole foods

   • Omega-3 fats

   • Natural prebiotics (like fruits, vegetables, and soaked seeds)

   • Fermented foods (if tolerated)

5. Introduce smart snacking habits. Instead of processed treats, offer snacks that stabilise blood sugar and feed the brain, like:

   • Fruit with nut butter

   • Roasted makhana or chana

   • Boiled eggs or paneer cubes

   • Homemade energy laddoos (no artificial sweeteners)

These help avoid energy crashes, sugar spikes, and poor concentration.

6. Stop including added sugar in their diet if they are two years old. All the sugars are just with different constituents and names.  

7. Don’t blame yourself. You’re doing your best. Nutrition is not about guilt; it’s a powerful tool you can use to help your child thrive.

Behaviour Is a Brain-Body Story. Food Is The Important Part of It.

Some behaviours truly are neurological. Some are related to parenting dynamics. But food interacts with both. And ignoring it, especially in cases of ADHD, sensory overload, or mood swings, is a missed opportunity to heal.

As Dr. Ana Maria put it:

"Even when it's neurological inflammation, we still have to treat nutrition at the core."

Like how I say: 

"Your body is the expensive real estate you own, and you are the Landlord for what you own"

Treat it with the right nutrition and lifestyle changes. Because every child is different, personalisation matters. That’s the power of bioindividuality; the right food for one may not work for another. Tailoring nutrition to your child’s unique needs supports better brain health and long-term well-being.

Click here to get a personalised diet plan now! Let's make your child’s future a healthy one. 

Listen to our full conversation here by tapping on the link attached, because there are more secrets you need to know: Dr. Ana Maria & Ryan Fernando – Children’s Neurology & Nutrition