Dearest Ash,

My kids are great in the morning for me, but when they get to school they act like little crazies.  They run around like banshees, are louder than the other kids, and won’t sit still.  By the time lunch comes around, they are throwing tantrums and the teachers are exhausted.  Right after lunch, they’re angels again, but within a few hours, they are doing a repeat of the morning’s behavior.  When I pick them up from school, they’re cranky and tearful.  By dinner time, they’re my little angels again.  What gives?

Are They Bipolar? in CT

Dear They’re NOT Bipolar,

I think it’s WONDERFUL that you’ve begun to notice a pattern here, because that is the first step!

Your kids are clearly having their ups and downs relative to their meals.  It’s not surprising, as they have yet to learn how to moderate their behavior relative to how they are feeling.  My guess is that you should pay attention to WHAT they’re eating, and try so feed them as healthfully as possible.  Foods that are high in sugar or have lots of additional additives (high fructose corn syrup, food dyes, preservatives) are difficult on your kids’ bodies.  I’m not saying they can’t eat those high-processed things, only that it will be extremely difficult for you to identify the active ingredient that is causing them to feel bad because there are too many variables.

My advice: Begin feeding them whole foods as much as possible to eliminate the mood swings.   In the morning, feed them a high protein, low sugar breakfast.  Eggs, oatmeal, granola, or a ham and cheddar cheese bagel sandwich are good examples of ways you can cut back on all of the extra ingredients.   Pay attention, though, that you’re actually using good ham and cheese and a high-quality bagel.   After all, what you put in directly affects what you get out.

A great example for lunch: give them a sandwich, fruit, and whole grain crackers with peanut butter.  Mix it up through out the week, too.  Carrot sticks and raisins are great “snacks” for them to much on during or outside of lunch.  Granola bars are better choices than candy bars.  Junk food should be the exception to the rule once in a while, not a daily part of their lunch.

Paying attention to what you feed your child can make all the difference in the world.  Snack cakes only make your kids’ blood sugar crash shortly after they eat it.  Sugar highs can make kids act recklessly while they’re ‘high’ and feel emotional and cranky when they’re ‘low.’

Also, you may want to encourage your kids to eat smaller portions more frequently.  Most adults are cranky when they are hungry, and kids experience it more dramatically than we do!