Episode 41: The Sweet Trap: How Sugar and Food Dyes Impact Kids’ Focus (ADHD & Dopamine Explained)

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It’s the week after Halloween and if your kids are bouncing off the walls (or crashing hard), you’re not alone.
In this episode, Dr. Joshua Sharp dives into the sweet trap of sugar, food dyes, and dopamine and how these hidden factors can hijack your child’s focus, behavior, and emotional balance.

You’ll learn how diet, environment, and even sleep can shape your child’s brain chemistry and how simple, daily choices can bring peace and focus back to your home.

 In this episode:
• The science behind ADHD and dopamine
• How sugar and artificial dyes affect brain function
• Why dopamine drives attention, motivation, and self-control
• Healthy breakfast swaps to boost focus and calm
• Simple strategies for parents to balance energy and emotions after Halloween

If you’re a parent who wants to help your kids thrive naturally without feeling overwhelmed, this episode is for you.

Chapters 
00:00 The Impact of Sugar and Food Dyes on Kids 
10:32 Understanding Dopamine and ADHD 
13:41 The Role of Diet and Environment in Brain Function 
17:00 Practical Tips for Parents to Support Brain Health

Watch next: “The Light Diet: How Light Shapes Mood and Focus”

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Keywords: ADHD, ADD, dopamine, sugar, food dyes, brain health, children's focus, emotional regulation, parenting tips, Halloween candy

Sources Mentioned:

1. https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/3-worst-foods-for-adhd/
2. https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/brain-health-guide-red-dye-40/
3. https://www.amenclinics.com/blog/hidden-dangers-of-yellow-dye-5-brain-behavior-and-health/
4. https://www.amenuniversity.com/blogs/news/warning-this-is-your-brain-on-sugar
5. https://www.amenclinics.com/conditions/adhd-add/
6. https://www.smartkidswithld.org/getting-help/adhd/7-types-adhd/
7. https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnins.2021.670430/full

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