Sparked controversy last year after saying highly processed foods could cause attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and that his childhood hyperactivity was triggered by "Wagon Wheels and jam sandwiches".
Experts and charities at times 'misleading,' 'wrong,' and even 'damaging'.
Last month, Wicks, 39, who gained prominence with his 'PE with Joe' workout videos during the Covid lockdowns, clarified his stance, stating
In a related Instagram video last year, he stated, "I genuinely believe that food has a massive impact, regardless of whether you have ADHD or not. It truly affects our mood and our capacity to remain still and focus, even our energy and our mental well-being."
Specialists have argued that there is no evidence to suggest that a specific diet leads to the development of ADHD symptoms.
Some people have proposed that there might be a relationship between the food we eat and hyperactivity.
So what is the truth? According to public health nutritionist and author of 'Nutrition for ADHD and Dyslexia,' Dr. Emma Derbyshire, there really are foods that surprisingly affect behavior.
Here are the diet tweaks she suggests to help hyperactive children feel calmer.
Learn to love lentils
'Diet and nutrition cannot cause or cure ADHD. However, it plays a significant role in the treatment plan alongside educational and medical interventions,' Dr Derbyshire said.
Eating habits can contribute to maintaining stable blood sugar levels. It is believed that minimizing sudden fluctuations may help prevent increased hyperactivity.
Consuming foods with high sugar content is thought to result in a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. Research has consistently associated blood sugar levels with energy levels.
One way to help prevent spikes is by ensuring meals have a significant source of protein.
This could include adding
'Eating low-sugar beans on a jacket potato, or slices of lean meat and poultry at lunchtime or evening meals can help to increase feelings of satisfaction and keep blood sugar levels stable.'
The National Health Service (NHS) reports that some studies have found that oily fish like mackerel, salmon, and sardines, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, 'can help alleviate behavioral issues and enhance brain function'.
We are aware that omega-3 fatty acids may offer benefits for individuals with hyperactivity.
Research has found that individuals with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), typically manifesting in children and teenagers, often experience lower levels of a vital nutrient called docosahexaenoic acid in their blood. A possible solution to this issue might be achieved by regulating the balance of this essential fatty acid.
Switch to wholegrain
"Complex carbohydrates — those typically rich in fiber — can also contribute to stabilizing blood sugar levels," Dr. Derbyshire stated.
'They can fill you up for a longer period, helping to lower the likelihood of reaching for higher sugar snacks.'
This is because complex carbohydrates digest at a slower rate within the gut of children, subsequently releasing energy slowly.
Fruits and vegetables — whenever possible, with the skin on, jackets, whole grain bread, pasta, and rice all serve as excellent examples of complex carbs, she noted.
Compared to simple carbohydrates, such as white bread and pasta, these foods tend to be broken down much more rapidly, which may impact attention span and behavior.
"It's an excellent idea for children displaying hyperactivity to record what they're consuming over the course of the day for several days," she suggested.
How many snacks are being consumed? Are they made from refined or highly processed materials? How many soft drinks are being consumed? Ideally, the number of sugary snacks and sugar-sweetened beverages should be limited.
Ditch the energy drinks
Some brands of energy-boosting drinks can be found for as little as 25p per can, making them often cheaper than bottled water and a preferred choice among young people.
In the UK, there are no laws that prevent selling energy drinks to people who are under the age of 16. However, many stores have chosen to stop selling these beverages to consumers in this age group.
'Brightly colored energy drinks capture the attention and appeal of children.'
While they may appear perfect at first glance, their underlying situation is not as rosy.
Cans often contain energy-boosting ingredients like stimulants including caffeine, along with herbal extracts like guarana, taurine, ginseng, and carnitine.
They also contain "shockingly high amounts of added sugars," she added.
A 2015 US study, involving over 1,000 middle school students, discovered that the participants who consumed energy drinks were 66 per cent more likely to exhibit hyperactivity.
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Processed snack food isn't all about negative connotations.
Studies have consistently suggested that overconsumption of sugar poses no benefits to developing young minds.
There is no original text to paraphrase.
However, Dr. Derbyshire cautions that consuming some processed foods will not be detrimental to children.
'Some highly processed foods like lower-sugar enriched cereals have a role to play in diets.'
Monitoring food colours and assessing added sugar levels is more critical.
New studies suggest there may be a connection between specific colours of food and increased hyperactivity in young children and adolescents.
Pursuant to the UK's Food Standards Agency, six food colors have been closely associated with hyperactivity in children.
These include E102, or tartrazine, E104, or quinoline yellow, and E110 – sunset yellow.
These dyes include E122 or carmosine, E124 - also known as ponceau - and E129, or allura red, as examples.
'Sometimes the font on food labels can be small, so you may need to look on food product websites to see if any of these are listed,' Dr. Derbyshire said.
This should not necessarily be applied to all foods, but rather to those that appear excessively bright in a way that seems unnatural.
'If foods contain any of these substances, the labels should declare "may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children".'
- Nutrition for ADHD and Dyslexia: Unlocking the Potential for Learning and Wellbeing by Dr. Emma Derbyshire will be released on January 21