Hyperactivity disorder causes difficulties in learning at school and problems with behavior and patience at home. Kids who are hyperactive typically lack focus, notes the National Institute of Mental Health. Many foods contribute to hyperactivity in children. Keeping a log of what meals were eaten before an episode of hyperactive behavior will help parents identify the specific foods that trigger hyperactivity.

Foods with Artificial Coloring

Foods that contain artificial coloring are linked to hyperactivity, notes the National Institute of Mental Health. Check the ingredients of all foods in the supermarket. If artificial colors are listed on the product, do not buy it. Many commercially processed foods contain artificial colors, such as processed cheeses, cereals, snack crackers, chips, soda and fruit drinks. Research is still ongoing to determine exactly how food coloring is linked to hyperactivity. Not all children have a sensitivity to food coloring, notes Harvard Medical School. Talk to your child's doctor about a link between diet and hyperactivity to get advice about which foods to use in the family diet.

Foods with Chemical Additives

Foods with chemical additives are also linked to hyperactivity, notes Harvard Medical School. If you look at the ingredient list of a commercial food and see a lot of scientific-like ingredient names, the food has a lot of additives that negatively impact the health of children. Avoiding commercial foods with a lot of food additives is one way to try to limit the amount of hyperactivity in a child. Products that often contain food additives include frozen dinners, canned soups and fast food like hamburgers, tacos and milkshakes.

High-Sugar Foods

Foods with high levels of sugar or artificial sweeteners like aspartame are possibly linked to hyperactive behavior. Ongoing studies will determine the full extent of how sugar influences the behavior of children. Sugar enters the child's bloodstream rapidly and produces a sudden increase in blood-glucose levels. This creates a surge of adrenaline activated in the child's body, notes the U.S. National Library of Medicine. A spike in adrenaline level will typically cause a child to experience an upswing in activity. To try to limit the episodes of hyperactivity, limit the intake of high-sugar foods such as cake, cupcakes, cookies, candy and processed foods that list high levels of sugar in the ingredients.