ADHD: Fueling Focus Naturally
By Integrative Medicine Pediatrician
Dr. Julie Sweeney
FUELING FOCUS NATURALLY
A whole-child ADHD approach that works
If you’re a parent of a child with ADHD, you may be feeling overwhelmed or unsure about what steps to take next. Whether you're just beginning to explore treatment options or your child is already on medication but still facing challenges, you might be wondering: is there something more I can do to support my child’s brain, behavior, and overall well-being?
If you’re nodding along, you’re not alone and you have more options than you may realize.
At SproutWell, we believe that addressing the whole child (mind, body, and spirit) can unlock amazing potential. Kristen Smaldone, a pediatric registered dietitian, and I have had the privilege of helping children with ADHD by supporting their nutrition, gut health, and overall well-being in a compassionate, personalized way. Together, we created Focus Forward: a collaborative program for families looking to begin (or reboot) a personalized, nutrition- and gut-health-based approach to ADHD treatment. We’d love to help your child thrive, too.
Let me walk you through why this matters and why it works.
Why Gut Health Is Key
ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders of childhood, affecting about 1 in 10 kids in the U.S.(1) While medication can be a helpful tool, it’s not a complete solution for every child. Research has shown that nutrition, gut health, sleep, and environmental factors all play a role in how ADHD presents and how a child functions day to day.
In fact, emerging studies suggest a strong connection between the gut and the brain, what’s known as the gut-brain axis. The gut is home to trillions of microbes that help regulate inflammation, produce neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, and even influence behavior.(2)
That’s why supporting the gut through individualized nutrition and targeted lifestyle changes isn’t just about digestion. It’s about brain function, focus, mood, and even sleep quality.
What the Research Tells Us: Diet Matters
One of the first places we start in Focus Forward is with food. Why? Because what your child eats fuels their brain. We know that kids with ADHD are more likely to be deficient in certain nutrients that are critical for attention, emotional regulation, and learning. Studies have shown that nutritional supplementation can improve ADHD symptoms in children that are deficient.(3,4)
We also look at how blood sugar highs and lows can mimic or worsen ADHD symptoms. A breakfast high in refined carbs can lead to a mid-morning crash and difficulty focusing in school. But when kids eat meals balanced in protein, healthy fats, fiber, and complex carbs, we often see improved energy and attention spans.
We work with families to gently and gradually improve nutrient intake in a realistic way. No judgment, no perfection required.
And because supplements can interact with medications or cause imbalances if misused, we emphasize the importance of professional guidance. Not every child benefits from the same nutrients, and more is not always better. This is where working with an integrative pediatrician makes a real difference—we help identify which nutrients are most beneficial, ensure safe dosing, and design a plan that fits your child’s unique needs.
A Personalized Path, Not a One-Size-Fits-All Plan
Each child is unique, and so their care should be too. We start by listening to your concerns and observing the whole picture: nutrition, digestion, sleep, behavior, medical history, and more. Then we build a tailored plan to support your child’s strengths and address their challenges from the inside out.
And don’t worry, we’re not about forcing your child to drink kale smoothies. We’re about realistic, doable steps that honor your child and your family dynamic.
Medication Is a Tool, But Not the Only One
For many children, medication can be an important part of their ADHD care plan, but it’s not the only tool available. Often, it’s most effective when combined with strategies that support the whole child and lead to better attention, emotional regulation and overall well-being.
In Focus Forward, we support families wherever they are. Whether you’re looking for a foundation before considering medication, you want to avoid medication, or you’re hoping to reduce side effects and improve overall wellness, our 4 month program is designed to meet you and your child with compassion and expertise.
“After receiving my son’s ADHD diagnosis last summer, I immediately reached out to SproutWell for support. I wanted to explore how I could support my son without prescription medication. Dr. Sweeney was so encouraging and provided helpful resources to guide me in helping my son manage his behavior and nutrition. She spent time getting to know me and my son and really understood our needs. Dr. Sweeney recommended vitamins and supplements for my son based on bloodwork, gut health tests and an in depth evaluation of his health history. We also worked with Kristin Smaldone, RD who recommended adjustments to my son’s diet based on consultation with us and Dr. Sweeney. We’ve seen a big impact on his behavior and mood, and our family dynamic has improved greatly from a year ago. Our family would recommend SproutWell to anyone looking for an integrative approach to treating ADHD. ”
References:
CDC. (2023). Data and Statistics About ADHD. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/adhd/data.html
Cryan, J.F., O’Riordan, K.J., Cowan, C.S.M., et al. (2019). The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis. Physiological Reviews, 99(4), 1877–2013.
Pinto, Sofia et al. (2022). Eating Patterns and Dietary Interventions in ADHD: A Narrative Review. Nutrients vol. 14,20 4332.
Bloch, M.H., & Qawasmi, A. (2011). Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation for the Treatment of Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Symptomatology. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 50(10):991-1000.