Nutritional factors can influence brain function, cognition, and behaviour, all of which are central to ADHD. Research indicates that individuals with ADHD may have unique nutritional needs and may be more susceptible to certain dietary deficiencies or imbalances.
We know the importance of eating nutrient-rich foods that provide the essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids necessary for optimal brain functioning. We know what the benefits of a balanced diet are for managing our ADHD symptoms. And we know how hard it is to prioritize healthy eating when under huge pressure. Navigating our emotions, medications, sleep patterns, routines, identifying when we are hungry, and planning meals all impacts on our ability to provide our bodies and brains with what we know we need.
Grocery lists, shopping, and following a recipe can feel overwhelming and will take a back seat when there are more urgent tasks that need our attention. Often it just seems easier and sometimes necessary to resort to convenient, but nutritionally lacking food options or skip meals altogether.
This nutrient deficient cycle can impair our attention even more, impact on our memory and executive functioning, exacerbate any impulsivity and behavioural issues, and disrupt our sleep patterns, while the fluctuations in our blood sugar levels can lead to mood swings and irritability.
Through understanding the challenges around optimal nutrition and asking for help with implementing tailored strategies to: prep ahead, navigate meal planning, create routines, reduce decision fatigue, we can find ways to incorporate a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients that can complement other treatment strategies and support overall health and well-being.
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