Yesterday I shared the first tip for thriving as an adult with ADHD through behavioral and nutrition management ~ developing a routine for meals and snacks. Today I am sharing my second tip to help you learn control through eating-related behaviors.
Here is tip 2 for you if you received a late diagnosis of ADHD and didn’t learn management strategies during the formative childhood years!
2. Make a grocery list and stick to it.
What you should do: Make a grocery list ahead of time, so that you know those are the only items that will be bought. The grocery list can be divided into categories mirroring the food guide pyramid for an education moment for children who are joining the shopping trip, such as putting all dairy products together and all protein foods (such as lean meats, eggs, and nuts) into one section of the list. Foods that are considered staples, such as flour, butter, and milk, can be listed as such with a discussion about what this means. If you see a food in the store that is not on the grocery list, skip it!
Why you should do it: The increase in obesity in adults with ADHD is related to a lower self-control in many lifestyle aspects, including eating-related behaviors. People with ADHD have a hard time filtering out external stimuli, and are typically drawn straight to colorful foods with bright packages. They also are impulsive, and impulse buys with packaged, convenience foods are located all over the grocery store, especially at the cash registers. These foods are usually higher in sodium, saturated fat, and sugar, which aren’t healthy for anyone.
For more tips, stay tuned to the blog, and check out chapter 7 of my book “Nutrition Management for Children with ADHD”, available on Amazon, Kindle, or here: https://www.createspace.com/7056720.
Here is tip 2 for you if you received a late diagnosis of ADHD and didn’t learn management strategies during the formative childhood years!
2. Make a grocery list and stick to it.
What you should do: Make a grocery list ahead of time, so that you know those are the only items that will be bought. The grocery list can be divided into categories mirroring the food guide pyramid for an education moment for children who are joining the shopping trip, such as putting all dairy products together and all protein foods (such as lean meats, eggs, and nuts) into one section of the list. Foods that are considered staples, such as flour, butter, and milk, can be listed as such with a discussion about what this means. If you see a food in the store that is not on the grocery list, skip it!
Why you should do it: The increase in obesity in adults with ADHD is related to a lower self-control in many lifestyle aspects, including eating-related behaviors. People with ADHD have a hard time filtering out external stimuli, and are typically drawn straight to colorful foods with bright packages. They also are impulsive, and impulse buys with packaged, convenience foods are located all over the grocery store, especially at the cash registers. These foods are usually higher in sodium, saturated fat, and sugar, which aren’t healthy for anyone.
For more tips, stay tuned to the blog, and check out chapter 7 of my book “Nutrition Management for Children with ADHD”, available on Amazon, Kindle, or here: https://www.createspace.com/7056720.