Logical meal solutions could revolutionise life for children with ADHD and need not be expensive, says expert London nutritionist

PRESS RELEASE: 10/04/2025

A leading London nutritionist has said there is no big secret behind improving the behaviour and health of youngsters through diet and it need not be expensive. For many with conditions like ADHD and hyperactivity, quality of life could change beyond recognition with simple, logical adjustments.

That’s the view of Diana Badare, Nutritionist at Schoen Clinic Chelsea in London.  Diana joined Schoen Clinic Chelsea in 2020, working with both adults and young people undergoing treatment for disordered eating and eating disorders.

Diana Badare, Nutritionist, Schoen Clinic Chelsea

Diana helps individuals to implement healthy eating habits and attitudes towards food. She has extensive experience working with mental health and eating disorders and is also the Diet Services Manager at the world-renowned Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Last year The Food Foundation issued a damning report saying British children face a lifetime of “diet-related illnesses” due to an increase in junk food and unhealthy eating.

The foundation called for urgent action from the Government to stem “largely preventable” illnesses caused by a poor diet. Its report said there has been a steady rise in obesity, Type 2 diabetes and undernutrition among children.

Obesity among 10 to 16-year-olds has increased by 30% since 2006 the study found, while the average height of 5 year-olds has fallen year-on-year since 2013.

Diana pointed out that having a balanced diet is critical for children of all ages but especially during adolescence, a vital period for growth and development. A balanced diet is shown to be helpful in reducing symptoms for children with ADHD.

She said: “Parents often ask ‘Is nutrition related to ADHD symptoms and brain functionality? Should we not give children sweet foods?” It’s not necessarily sugar to blame, but a lack of overall nutrition in the child’s diet can escalate symptoms for those with ADHD.

“Youngsters need different types of glucose, fats, vitamins and minerals which are beneficial to brain functions,” she added.

Diana said a balanced diet is a mixture of meat, fish, poultry, pulses and dairy products along with complex carbohydrates such as rice, potatoes, noodles and bread, accompanied by fresh or cooked vegetables which gives children a crucial variety of foods to support their growth and development.

Fruit (fresh and dried), nuts, home-made biscuits and milk or yoghurt-based fruit smoothies can be a part of a balanced snack-time treat.

She pointed out that providing a child with a balanced diet need not be expensive and can be achieved through home-made family meals.

A balanced diet can also help a child’s mood and concentration at school. She cited a breakfast club started for children in Wales which showed remarkable results.

She said concentration levels rose once children were given cereal, milk and toast. They rose further when bread with butter and jam was added to the breakfast, and further still with the addition of fruit and orange juice.

Teachers were amazed to see an immediate improvement in behaviour, concentration and exam results as a result of this.

Diana added that having children participate in the making of the meal with their family and eating that meal together as a unit all play a vital role in giving children the best nutritional support.

She added that recent research studies show that a child with ADHD on a poor diet falls behind other children without ADHD in the classroom, and even further behind classmates without ADHD and a balanced diet.

She concluded: “Parent can boost their child’s growth, development and education potential by giving them a consistent nutritional balanced diet.”

Diana Badare can be seen for appointments concerning nutrition in children and adults, whether or not they have a condition like ADHD, hyperactivity or autism. She can be reached here: https://www.schoen-clinic.co.uk/specialists/diana-badare

For more information about the work of Schoen Clinic Chelsea in London, please call 020 3146 2300 or visit its website at https://www.schoen-clinic.co.uk/chelsea

ENDS

High-resolution pictures are available on request.

Information about The Food Foundation’s report can be found here: https://foodfoundation.org.uk/press-release/health-and-food-experts-warning-amid-significant-decline-childrens-health

About Schoen Clinic UK Group

The Schoen Clinic Group was founded in 1985 and has since developed into Germany's fifth-largest privately-owned hospital group. It currently treats 300,000+ patients annually at 46 hospitals and clinics in Germany and the UK. The group also includes the leading online telemedicine clinic: MindDoc.

Schoen Clinic entered the UK healthcare market in 2017 providing award-winning, expert-led healthcare super-specialising in certain areas of medicine – now mental health and wellbeing, eating disorders and dementia care.

Media contact

Rodney Kumar: PR Manager, WSA Communications

E-mail: rodney.kumar@wsacommunications.co.uk, Phone: 01908 371177