ADHD, Gut Health & Detox: A Holistic Nutrition Approach for Kids with Jamie Basak, RD

Does your child have meltdowns, trouble focusing, or extreme picky eating? It might not be “just behavior.” In this episode, Registered Dietitian Jamie Basak explains how gut health, detox pathways, and key nutrients can support kids with ADHD and emotional dysregulation—starting with healing from the inside out. 

Key Takeaways:

• Trust your gut as a parent. If you sense something deeper is going on with your child—you're probably right. Jamie shares how she felt dismissed before discovering root causes in her own kids.

• Gut health and ADHD are closely connected. Many kids with ADHD have underlying gut imbalances like constipation, candida, parasites, or low nutrient absorption, which can impact brain function and emotional regulation.

• Toxins matter. Heavy metals and mold exposure can mimic nutrients, disrupt neurotransmitters, and worsen behavior. Supporting natural detox pathways (like pooping, sweating, and hydrating) is key.

• Start with the basics. Nutrition, hydration, sleep, and a reduction in processed foods and food dyes are foundational for improving focus, mood, and behavior.

• Gradual changes go a long way. Jamie encourages families to replace one food item at a time and involve kids in the process to build trust and better habits.

• Functional testing provides deeper insight. From stool and urine tests to micronutrient panels, Jamie uses a targeted approach to uncover hidden imbalances and guide individualized plans.
  
  

Conclusion:

If your child struggles with focus, meltdowns, or limited food variety, there's more to explore than just surface behavior. Gut health, detox capacity, and nutrient deficiencies can all contribute to what we see as "ADHD." This episode is packed with practical tips, encouragement, and a reminder that you're not alone—and there is a path forward.

About Our Guest:

Jamie Basak, RD is a registered dietitian, SOS-trained feeding therapist, and pediatric detox practitioner. She’s the founder of Lokahi Nutrition and the creator of Little Neuro Ninjas, a program designed to support kids with ADHD, autism, and behavioral issues using a holistic nutrition approach. Based in Lutz, FL, Jamie combines functional testing, family-centered coaching, and real-life experience to help kids thrive from the inside out.

www.loheanutrition.com
Instagram/Facebook: @loheanutrition | @LittleNeuroNinjas