As a psychiatrist (MD) who treats ADHD, a common symptom my patients who have ADHD report are disordered eating patterns. This can include binge or disinhibited eating, often due to symptoms of impulsivity or inattention that are secondary to ADHD. Inattention can lead to poor meal planning or missing meal times, which ultimately can lead to unhealthy food choices. Some may also have poor awareness of internal hunger signals or become easily distracted and miss meals. Mindful eating and routines can help with this! I'm a Mount Sinai-trained psychiatrist who currently has a private practice in NJ and NY. Open to follow up questions!
Hi, This is my specialist area... but it's also me. I spent much of my life living on anything in a packet. At Uni I lived out of a vending machine (that's not an exaggeration). I also spent some years in my twenties drinking bottled liquid meals that were prescribed for me, but are meant to be for cancer patients. I wouldn't be able to live on sweets, etc... now though, as my older punishes me for it. I'm lucky to have a wife who feeds me. Sometimes though, she needs to go away for work, so I need to feed myself and the kids. We eat a lot of McDonalds, etc... then. The problem comes in multiple parts. If I am to cook a meal, there seems to be lots of different 'things' that need to be done in very particular ways, whether it's measurements, ingredients, or timings - I get massively ovewhelmed and flustered before I even start. And then on the occasions I actually go ahead, it's guaranteed I will overcook elements of it. It's the distractibility - even something simple like sticking a pizza in the oven and setting a timer. What will happen is the timer will go off and I'll be about to check it, then get distracted and leave it in there too long. Or I'll check it and it's not quite ready - needs a few more minutes, so I start doing something else for 'a few minutes' but it's clearly much longer because then the smoke alarm is going off. Even making some toast - it will pop up but needs pushing back down, I think as long as I wait by the toaster it will be fine, but then something else gets into the thinking pot, next thing I know it's popped up again and is burnt. I've tried to do a few BBQs in the past - I'm pretty much banned from doing so. Just keeping an eye on the sausages for a couple of minutes after turning them... impossible for me. I'll be thinking, chatting to someone, whatever, and they're ruined. Every time. Basically I find it very stressful, as I do with some other of life's admin tasks. Much of it comes down to the need to wait. If I can just 'do' from start to finish, without stopping and waiting for anything or anyone, just continuous 'doing' then I'm fine. The moment there's a time factor that is not within my control, there's huge stress. As for credentials - I'm ADHD, and I'm doing a PhD on ADHD. Also, this may or may not be relevant, but sharing it just in case: https://adhdworking.co.uk/adhd-traits/adhd-and-sugar-addiction/
Hi, I'm reaching out from Harley Street ADHD/Young Wellbeing Hub, a CQC-registered provider of neurodevelopmental assessments for children, young people, and adults. We have a team full of expert clinicians who support patients with ADHD every day, and so have a clear understanding and perspective on the challenges of ADHD. I'd love to pitch a piece exploring how certain eating habits (e.g. defaulting to takeout because cooking is overwhelming) can be signs of ADHD. After having a quick conversation on this with our lead psychiatrist, Dr. David Rigby he has given me a brief overview, which I'd be happy to go into more detail if you decide to go in this direction. According to Dr. Rigby, many of these behaviours (e.g. getting takeout) often get dismissed as being lazy but they can be deeply linked to something known as 'executive dysfunction' (a main symptom of ADHD that makes everyday tasks difficult), even sensory sensitivities, and decision fatigue. Dr Rigby will be able to highlight these behaviours with real-life examples and connect them to ADHD research, whilst also discussing expert-backed strategies to help those struggling with these issues. For example, takeaway can be seen as the easy option for those with ADHD not because of convenience but because cooking meals means multiple steps which leads to cognitive overload. With the right strategies, such as keeping a list of low effort meals, batch cooking etc. can reduce barriers and allow individuals with ADHD to enjoy this variety without being overwhelmed. I'd be happy to share a fuller outline and get more quotes from Dr. David Rigby. Does this sound like a good fit? Thanks, Megan Richards Marketing Manager Harley Street ADHD/ Young Wellbeing Hub
Hello! I am a therapist (LPCC-S) who works with young adults with ADHD. I would love to provide insight for your article. Many people have a complicated relationship with food, but ADHD can make this relationship even more challenging. Since ADHD involves dopamine dysregulation in the brain, people with ADHD can develop unhealthy eating patterns. One common pattern is eating to relieve boredom. This can lead to overeating or constant snacking without structured meals. Another pattern is hyperfocusing on food, becoming fixated on one specific food and consuming it repeatedly until reaching a point of burnout or aversion. Finally, people with ADHD tend to eat much faster than those without the diagnosis, which often results in overeating and uncomfortable fullness before the brain registers satiety signals. Mindful eating is a science-backed approach that can help break these patterns. This practice involves slowing down, savoring each bite, and staying present during meals instead of eating on autopilot, which helps prevent overeating and promotes a healthier relationship with food. I am happy to chat more if needed. My email is agdpowers@gmail.com.
This is very interesting focus. I have seen some studies that show possible correlation between ADHD and food choices. For most what I have seen in research is that food choice is impacted by multiple factors. Food we eat are guided by region, our social circle, and preferences. Eating habits can also be dictated my mental bandwidth which may or may not be linked to ADHD. Defaulting to takeout or eating the same food every day require less executive function load. Meal planning, grocery shopping, prepping, cooking, and cleaning up each demand multiple steps. Which all take up cognitive energy and time. ADHD is not the only reason a person may choose takeout, eating the same meal, or even skipping meals. It really depends on the personal, environmental, and occupational factors. Here are some techniques I like to use to help improve eating habits while still keeping mental fatigue lower: 1. Reduce decision fatigue - Instead of one meal on repeat, create a "short list" of 3-5 go-to meals you can rotate. This provides structure and variety. 2. Simplify cooking routines - Use pre chopped veggies, salad kits, meal kits, or frozen proteins. - Batch or meal prep twice a week 3. Create a plan - I like to recommend to write meals on a whiteboard, keep a printed meal template on the fridge, or use reminders on your phone to take planning out of your head. 4. Pair eating with existing habits and routines - Link meals with something you already do. like prepping lunch right after morning coffee or setting a reminder to eat a snack before your afternoon walk. 5. Be flexible, not perfect - The goal is to keep yourself nourished consistently. But its okay life does get busy. Allow space for takeout or "fallback foods" without guilt, as long as they fit into your overall balance. Personally I often keep a frozen pizza and extra salad kit on hand for a backup meal
Adults who have undiagnosed ADHD usually have choice paralysis in grocery stores because of executive dysfunction. They also take 45 minutes before they can choose between the 12 possible pasta sauces, as they are actually overwhelmed with the number of choices. Others will end up not buying anything or buying costly ready-made food to bypass the psychological burden of preparing meals. I have noticed the trend where my clients repeat the same breakfast daily over the period of 8 months since the thought of having a variety to eat would cost too much brain power. They report being bored and relieved at this pattern, which is why strict patterns of food tend to conceal underlying ADHD instead of pointing to eating disorders.
Clients with the undiagnosed ADHD tend to buy takeaways because every step of attending meal planning, grocery shopping, and cooking seems to offer complicated moving parts to manage emotionally. I have also observed people eat the same meal for months not because they want to, but either way, not doing so becomes a big decision that leads to mental strain. Such behavior gets mistaken for laziness or being undisciplined when actually, the brains are poorly wired for task initiation, organization, and sustaining focus. Clients will often make an example of letting groceries sit in the refrigerator for 3 days and 3 nights until the delivery is triggered, simply because starting to work on a meal feels like just too much. Breaking cooking into bite-size steps, such as preparing ingredients in the morning or setting up visual reminders for cooking steps, will help alleviate overload feelings. Anyone who wants to make life a bit interesting without sinking into burnout can build a short rotation of 3 or 4 easy meals that fight decision fatigue while also maintaining a balanced diet.
As a therapist who works with neurodivergent clients, I've seen how ADHD can significantly impact eating habits. Regularly defaulting to takeout or eating the same meal on repeat, can sometimes be signs of undiagnosed ADHD. Cooking at home requires multiple executive functions that are often difficult for clients with ADHD. This includes planning meals for the week, organizing a grocery list, and shopping for ingredients. Each of these steps can feel overwhelming. On top of that, finding the time and having the motivation to cook at the end of a busy day can be especially challenging. In addition, many people with ADHD have atypical sensory profiles. Smells, textures, and tastes may register as more or less intense than they do for neurotypical individuals, which strongly influences food preferences. Once someone finds a food that works for their sensory needs, they often stick with it for months or even years until they eventually burn out on it. One helpful strategy is to schedule time on your calendar each week specifically for meal planning and grocery shopping. Treating it like an appointment can make it easier to follow through. Using online shopping or grocery delivery services can also cut down on time and reduce the overwhelm that often comes with navigating a busy store. Another option is to keep ready-made meals on hand from places like Costco, your local grocery store, or specialty meal-prep shops. Having these available ensures there is something quick, healthy and reliable to eat on days when cooking feels impossible.
Hello! I am a business strategist with a two-decade educational background in neurodivergent learners, and the author of a course called "The Grown Up ADHD Playbook." I've been cited in Forbes, Authority, and Grit Daily, and have a TEDx talk coming up. I am happy to provide my full CV anytime. My initial thoughts are this: If you find yourself throwing away rotten veggies and expired steak, opening a full fridge and feeling overwhelmed and ordering takeout instead, or defaulting to the same english-muffin-and-egg situation until you hate eggs and english muffins, it's time to take a closer look at what all this might mean. Any neurodivergence, including acquired ones, like PTSD, are going to impact our habits. Eating is one that we have not turned enough attention towards, and research shows those with ADHD are more prone to eating disorders (I have a post about it here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cte1g8ApeSl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==), including binge eating disorders, and our decision fatigue, medication side effects, and poor interoceptive awareness also contribute to problems with nourishing ourselves properly. One way to tackle it is to...gasp...meal plan. I know it seems like it would be an even bigger headache, but simply writing down what you plan to have for major meals during the week can help, because it takes the decision out of the equation. You can think ahead as to how much time you'll have, how busy your day will be beforehand, or where you'll be, and create the plan accordingly (we event add in take out days...guilt gone). I also like to put things where I can see them, like higher protein yogurt and cheese sticks, that way I am less likely to just grab a carb or sugary snack because I am overly hungry (we ADHD-ers often don't notice signs of hunger until we are hangry...protein helps, because our bodies will crave fast energy like sugar and carbs, otherwise). I would love to chat more anytime! Here are a few more things from one of my online resources: https://sandra-bean-s-school1.teachable.com/courses/unleash-your-potential-thrive-with-adhd/lectures/49169214
Neuroscientist | Scientific Consultant in Physics & Theoretical Biology | Author & Co-founder at VMeDx
Answered 6 months ago
Good Day, I am an adult ADHD and behavioral health clinician and I have seen very many people punishing themselves for 'lazy' eating habits, which actually are coping mechanisms for untreated executive dysfunction. ADHD isn't merely a distractive condition; it also impairs one's capabilities of planning, prioritizing, and executing follow-through especially on something as multi-step and sensory-heavy as eating. Cook entails planning, decision-making, estimating time and cleaning, all of which are tasks that totally overwhelm the person suffering from ADHD in a very undiagnosed kind of a way, almost believing he or she has failed in adulthood. What I usually refer to as "food on repeat" is the individual who eats the exact same meal-say, turkey sandwich or mac and cheese-every single day because it's predictable and doesn't have to require new decisions. This works for a while, until they get so stinking tired of it that they stop eating altogether or swing in the opposite direction and rely entirely on takeout. This is not laziness; instead, it is a type of functioning which works until it stops working. Prep only two or three go-to meals in bulk and put the things that often assist one in friction reduction strategies, use visible reminders, reuse prep work ahead of time, and even bake with cooking buddies over FaceTime so that one's not so much alone doing it. Those aren't some diet tips but improved executive function tools fashioned just for the brain of an ADHD person. If you decide to use this quote, I'd love to stay connected! Feel free to reach me at gregorygasic@vmedx.com and outreach@vmedx.com.