Children’s Behaviour and Nutrition: Dr G in Slovenia!

Children’s behaviour and nutrition are more closely linked than many parents think. Have you ever noticed your child becoming restless or irritable after certain foods?

Children’s behaviour and nutrition are more closely linked than many parents think. Have you ever noticed your child becoming restless or irritable after certain foods?

This September, our founder Dr Gregorio Torchia travelled to Slovenia to share our research on this very link.

Our trip to Slovenia

Dr G flew from Edinburgh to Portorož, on the Adriatic coast, for Stronger Together 2026. The event brought together the 23rd EUSUHM Congress and the 24th IAAH European Regional Conference, where Paediatricians from across Europe and around the world, specialists in child, adolescent, and school health, shared their latest research.

What Dr G presented

In his talk, Dr G presented our three-year cohort study of 58 children, divided into four groups and assessed with six measures of behaviour. Children with a food allergy were more likely to show signs of anxiety, while those with a food intolerance were more likely to struggle with attention and irritability. His message to colleagues was clear:

“Behavioural and emotional outcomes should be part of the clinical assessment of every child with a food allergy or intolerance.”

Can food really affect how a child behaves?

The brain needs a steady supply of nutrients to work well. Swings in blood sugar, low iron or a lack of omega-3 fatty acids may affect concentration and mood (Ref 1). Besides, some artificial colours and preservatives have been associated with increased hyperactivity in children (Ref 2).

Good dietary sources of brain-friendly nutrients include:

•         Omega-3 fats: salmon, mackerel, sardines and walnuts

•         Iron: lentils, beans, eggs and dark leafy greens

•         Slow-release energy: oats, wholegrain bread and brown rice

How Nutripanda Can Help

Back home in Edinburgh, we bring these findings on children’s behaviour and nutrition into everyday practice. Therefore, we combine a detailed assessment with food allergy and intolerance testing where appropriate and build a family-friendly plan around your child’s needs. Most importantly, we pay attention to mood and behaviour as well as physical symptoms.

Speaking of which, you might also enjoy our post Autism and Diet

If you would like to talk about your child’s needs, please

book a Free Pre-Consultation