evidence has been mixed, and many studies are inter-
preted differently by each side of the debate. The
Feingold Association of the United States cites many
different studies on its websites, and gives short
excerpts or summaries of some of the evidence. The
Association cites these studies as proof t! hat the diet is
effective for most children. There has not been any
significant research done on whether the diet is effec-
tive in achieving positive results for problems not
related to ADD or ADHD.
Some health professionals however, are not con-
vinced that the diet can help children with ADD or
ADHD. One common argument against the effective-
ness of the diet is that there may be other causes for the
improvement shown in children on the diet. Because the
diet is extremely complicated and involves reading labels
carefully, and closely monitoring everything that is eaten
(as well as exposure to some things such as soaps and
perfumes), parents are forced to become extremely
involved in their child’s life while their child is on this
diet. Some experts have argued that any improved behav-
ior is probably a result of this increased parental partic-
ipation, and not a direct result of the diet. Another
critcism of the studies on the effectiveness of the diet is
that often the behavioral changes are reported by parents
and are not confirmed by outside, unbiased observers.Resources
BOOKS
Feingold, Ben F.Introduction to Clinical Allergy.Spring-
field, IL: Thomas, 1973.
Feingold, Ben F.The Feingold Cookbook for Hyperactive Chil-
dren, and Others with Problems Associated with Food Addi-
tives and Salicylates.New York: Random House, 1979.
Feingold, Ben F.Why Your Child is Hyperactive.New York:
Random House, 1975.
Hershey, Jane.Why Can’t My Child Behave?Alexandria,
VA: Pear Tree Press, 1996.
Shannon, Joyce Brennfleck ed.Diet and Nutrition Sourcebook.
Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, 2006.
Willis, Alicia P. ed.Diet Therapy Research Trends.New
York: Nova Science, 2007.
ORGANIZATIONS
American Dietetic Association. 120 South Riverside Plaza,
Suite 2000, Chicago, Illinois 60606-6995. Telephone:
(800) 877-1600. Website:<http://www.eatright.org>
OTHER
ADHD Diet: Comprehensive Program for Dietary Manage-
ment2007.<http://www.feingold.org>(April 12, 2007).Helen M. DavidsonDr. Kushner’s dietseePersonality type diet
Dr. Perricone dietseePerricone dietDr. Phil’s diet
DefinitionDr. Phil’s diet is named for Dr. Phillip C. McGraw,
Ph.D., the psychologist and life strategist seen on syn-
dicated television. Popularly known as ‘‘Dr. Phil’’ he
developed a line of ‘‘Shape Up!’’ weight loss products
and simultaneously developed and published a book
titled ‘‘The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution: The 7 Keys
to Weight Loss Freedom.’’
The Ultimate Weight Loss Solution was promoted
as a combination of healthy diet, exercise, behavior
modification, and thinking differently about food.Origins
Dr. Phil was a private practice psychologist in
Wichita Falls, Texas, before starting a trial consulting
firm. It was in this business that he worked with tele-
vision star Oprah Winfrey, consulting with her during
a 1995 trial brought against Ms. Winfrey by members
of the beef industry. Shortly after, Dr. Phil began
appearing on Ms. Winfrey’s syndicated television
show. By 2002, he was hosting his own syndicated
daily television show and had become a well-known
author and popular figure.
Dr. Phil has said that for 30 years, he counseled
people battling weight problems andobesity. He has
said that he wanted to more widely address the prob-
lem of obesity with a behavioral and nutritional
approach. In 2003, he introduced the book and a line
of nutritional products. The diet products were mar-
keted by CSA Nutraceuticals, along with involvement
of companies that have produced similar health and
nutrition products. At the same time that the products
and book were being marketed, Dr. Phil focused on
weight loss themes on his television show. However, he
did not refer to the weight loss products on the show.
He introduced his diet on a nationally broadcast tele-
vision special featuring Katie Couric and 13 weight
loss challengers.
Dr. Phil’s son Jay McGraw followed in his
father’s footsteps and authored a book with a similar
plan written specifically for teenagers. This book also
was published in 2003.Description
Dr. Phil’s diet involved a book outlining a diet
plan and a line of diet food products and supplement
pills. The food products included flavored shakes and
snack bars. The shakes and snack bars were fortifiedDr. Phil’s diet