Brain Food: Linking Diet With Disorder

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There's been some talk lately about the number of people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD, and some researchers say it may be because of what we're eating.

Dr. Drew Ramsey, assistant clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University and author of the Happiness Diet, visited The Couch to talk about the connection between diet and disorder.

More: Good Mood Food - The Link Between Happiness & What You Eat

How many people are affected by ADHD?

"We are talking about nine percent of kids and 4 to 5 percent of adults," Dr. Ramsey said. "That translates to about 10 million adults."

The key to eating to fight disorder is to eat real food instead of process food, which can contain food dyes.

Health Watch: Food Dye & ADHD

"Food dyes have been linked to ADHD...since 1973," Ramsey said. "There is a sub group of kids out  there who have a sensitivity to food dyes and food preservatives...we want to get that out of their diet swap it with healthy food."

For instance, low-fat blueberry yogurt is filled with sugar and food dyes - try swapping it for Greek yogurt with fresh blueberries.

Goji berries and dried cranberries are a surprise sweet swap for colored candies like Twizzlers.

Fruit Loops cereal is filled with sugar, carbs, and preservatives. Instead, chop up some bananas and throw some oats and cranberries on top.

For more food swaps and details on the diet, check out the full interview below.