How Food Shapes Behavior: The Link Between Diet and Children’s Actions

As childcare providers, we often find ourselves on the front lines of support for families who are concerned about their child’s behavior or developmental progress. We address their fears, guide them through potential medical processes, and help them understand possible reasons behind their child’s differences. But have you ever stopped to wonder why so many children are showing signs of behavioral challenges, developmental delays, and conditions such as autism or ADHD?

These questions recently came up in conversation with one of our new childcare start-up clients who was concerned about a child’s behavior. As we discussed strategies to help this child, we realized how valuable this information could be for others facing similar challenges. Below, you’ll find proactive steps to support children and their families through a deeper understanding of nutrition and its significant role in behavior and overall well-being.

The Rising Tide of Behavioral and Developmental Concerns

If you’ve been in childcare for any length of time, you’ve likely noticed an increase in behavioral and developmental issues among children. While heightened awareness may be a factor, it doesn’t fully explain the trend. As caregivers, we have a responsibility to continue educating ourselves, our staff, and the families we serve. Diagnoses involving speech delays, anger, social anxiety, diabetes, ADHD, and autism are more common than ever, and it’s increasingly clear that these conditions aren’t solely the result of better diagnostic tools.

One factor that often goes overlooked is nutrition. Many children today suffer from “hidden hunger.” Although they may be consuming enough calories, they’re not getting the right balance of vitamins and minerals their growing bodies need. That’s why the first step in addressing a child’s behavioral or developmental concerns often involves focusing on what children are eating—and helping families make more nutritious choices.

You Are What You Eat: The Link Between Diet and Behavior

The foods children eat can directly impact their energy, mood, behavior, and overall health. Providing whole, nutrient-dense foods gives children the fuel they need to thrive. Even a short commitment—just two weeks—of incorporating healthier eating habits can lead to noticeable improvements in energy and behavior. In about 30 days, these changes can become second nature.

This doesn’t mean children should never enjoy a cupcake at a birthday party or the occasional fast-food meal. The key is moderation. By focusing on whole, nourishing foods most of the time, children can experience better health, improved behavior, and more consistent energy levels.

Understanding Hidden Hunger

Despite appearing to eat enough—or even too much—many children don’t receive the essential vitamins and minerals they need. If you notice a child constantly complaining of hunger, feeling tired or irritable, or having difficulty focusing, hidden hunger could be a contributing factor. Hidden hunger is a form of malnutrition in which a person consumes adequate calories but lacks critical micronutrients.

Key Micronutrients

• Iron: A deficiency can cause anemia, fatigue, and impaired cognitive function.
• Vitamin A: Essential for vision and immune health; deficiency can lead to night blindness and increased infection risk.
• Iodine: Critical for thyroid function; deficiency can contribute to goiter and developmental delays.
• Zinc: Important for immune function, growth, and wound healing.
• Folate: Essential for cell division and development.

Causes of Hidden Hunger

• Diets high in processed, calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foods
• Limited access to fresh, whole foods
• Lack of nutritional education
• Poor nutrient absorption due to gastrointestinal conditions

Consequences

• Stunted growth
• Weakened immune system
• Cognitive impairments and learning difficulties
• Increased risk of chronic diseases

“Dead Foods” and Their Impact

Children can easily consume a large bag of chips or a plate of fries and still feel hungry shortly after because these “dead foods” are calorie-dense but lack essential nutrients. Common staples like pizza, chicken nuggets, and sodas fill children up briefly but leave them nutritionally deprived. Processed foods also require significant energy to break down, often resulting in fatigue and persistent cravings.

Examples of Dead Foods

• Sugary cereals and snacks
• Packaged pastries and baked goods
• Highly processed breads or crackers
• Fast foods and frozen meals
• Artificially flavored and colored drinks

Effects of Dead Foods

• Empty Calories: They provide energy but few nutrients, leading to fatigue and cravings.
• Blood Sugar Spikes: Rapid rises and crashes in blood sugar can cause mood swings and irritability.
• Gut Health Disruption: Processed foods can negatively affect gut bacteria, impacting brain function, behavior, and emotional regulation.

Artificial Food Dyes: What You Need to Know

Artificial food dyes like Red 40, Yellow 5, Blue 1, and Red 3 have been linked to a range of health and behavioral issues. In a positive step forward, the FDA recently started banning Red Dye 3, but many other dyes are still permitted in the United States despite being banned in countries with stricter regulations.

Potential Negative Effects

• Red 40: Linked to hyperactivity, allergic reactions, and behavioral problems.
• Red 3: Associated with carcinogenic effects and may contribute to behavioral and learning issues.
• Yellow 5: Connected to hyperactivity, allergic reactions, and possible DNA damage.
• Blue 1: May cause neurological and behavioral changes, including difficulty with focus and emotional regulation.

Over time, these chemicals can accumulate in a child’s body and potentially affect liver and kidney function, as well as disrupt the brain’s chemistry. Educating families about these risks and recommending natural or dye-free alternatives can play a crucial role in helping children maintain healthier behaviors and better overall well-being.

The Importance of Seasonal, Non-GMO, and Chemical-Free Produce

There’s a special excitement that comes with eating produce at its peak—like juicy peaches in summer or hearty winter squash in colder months. Seasonal foods are harvested at their nutritional best, which benefits children’s growth and development. Choosing non-GMO, chemical-free produce also helps reduce exposure to pesticides and additives that may disrupt hormone balance and cognitive function.

Benefits of Seasonal Produce

• Higher nutritional density
• Fewer chemical additives
• Better taste and freshness

By selecting foods grown in their natural environment and harvested at the right time, children can enjoy meals that are both flavorful and packed with essential nutrients.

The Gluten and Milk Controversies

Glyphosate and Gluten Sensitivity

Many reported cases of gluten intolerance or sensitivity may be connected to glyphosate—a herbicide widely used on wheat and grains. Glyphosate residues can remain on crops and in soil, possibly disrupting the gut microbiome. Over time, this exposure may lead to digestive issues or inflammatory conditions that mimic gluten intolerance.

Opting for organic flour and pasta can help families reduce glyphosate exposure. Additionally, choosing sourdough breads can support gut health. The fermentation process breaks down gluten and creates beneficial bacteria, making sourdough easier to digest.

Raw Milk

Raw milk is a controversial topic, especially in childcare settings. Due to regulations and concerns about bacterial contamination, it’s not typically served in childcare programs. However, some families may choose to purchase raw milk from trusted sources.

Pasteurization heats milk to kill harmful bacteria, but it can also destroy beneficial enzymes, vitamins, and probiotics. Some individuals who believe they have a milk allergy may, in fact, be reacting to the pasteurization process rather than milk itself. Educating families about the differences between raw and pasteurized milk empowers them to make well-informed decisions regarding their children’s diets.

Practical Steps for Change

1. Use Food-Scanning Apps: Tools like the YUKA app can help identify harmful ingredients in packaged foods.
2. Healthier Snack Options: Swap chips for nuts, seeds, or fresh veggies with hummus. Many healthier chip options are now available as well.
3. Drink Smart: Replace sugary drinks with water infused with fruit or lemon, or choose a low-sugar probiotic soda like Olipop.
4. Use Better Oils: Switch processed cooking oils for healthier alternatives such as olive oil, butter, or beef tallow.
5. Buy Local and Organic: Support local farmers and look for organic produce to reduce exposure to pesticides and chemicals.

Positive Behavior Changes with Improved Diet

Small, consistent changes in diet can have a profound impact on children’s behavior and emotional regulation. By emphasizing whole, nutrient-dense foods, children often experience:

• More stable energy levels
• Improved mood and behavior
• Better concentration and focus
• Effective detoxification from harmful additives and heavy metals

In a childcare setting, you can reinforce these positive changes by involving children in meal and snack preparation, as well as educating families about the advantages of healthy eating. Empower children to make good choices by explaining how certain foods help their bodies and minds function at their best.

Conclusion: A Healthier Future for Our Children

When we focus on offering children whole, nutrient-rich foods, we help them thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Even minor changes to their everyday diet can lead to significant, long-term improvements in behavior, energy, and overall health.

At Child Care Biz Help, our mission is to support childcare entrepreneurs, owners, parents, and the children they serve. Every child’s journey matters to us, and we understand the influence our industry can have on a child’s well-being. Through collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and a commitment to quality care, we can create a healthier future—one nutritious meal at a time.

This blog is part of our ongoing effort to provide resources and encouragement to our community, because when we lift each other up, everyone grows stronger together.