Optimise Your Brain With Neurodivergent-Friendly Foods
Manage your symptoms, increase your overall health and have fun doing so
Planning a healthy meal, buying all the different ingredients, organising the food and then processing the steps is overwhelming. Our executive function deficits don’t help us.
I get it, ordering a tasty takeaway is much easier.
While there is no evidence that diet causes ADHD or autism, it can play a part in helping you increase your overall health.
Leading psychiatrist Dr Ned Hallowell encourages us to pay attention to the foods we eat.
Studies have shown that ADHD and Autism, can be associated with an increased risk of certain health complications. For example, ADHDers are at least 5–10 times more likely to have bigger waistlines and are at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. One of the many causes for this is temporal discounting, where we have difficulty thinking about the future implications of our actions, so we’d rather focus on eating what’s in front of us.
But it just tastes good now!
I know, I’ve experienced this too. Impulsiveness can lead to poor food choices which include ultra-processed convenience foods high in sugar, additives, unhealthy fats and other undesirable ingredients.
I was overweight because of poor food choices. I didn’t realise it at the time, but relying on ADHD medication alone is not enough. It was only when I started to prioritise a balanced diet that focused on whole foods, I began to see benefits. The great thing is you don’t have to do this alone.
Perhaps you can relate to the following:
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Some neurodivergent individuals, such as those with ADHD have low levels of dopamine and norepinephrine (neurotransmitters in the brain), which means we seek more stimulation. It’s also common for us to eat less during the day when on stimulant medication and binge at night.
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Maybe you finish a box of chocolates, doughnuts, cake or other sweet treats and crave more especially during times of stress or overwhelm.
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Executive function is a set of cognitive processes which help you focus, organise, plan for goals and more. Executive function deficits can make starting and holding up a healthy daily routine far more taxing.
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This is caused by a lack of bodily state awareness, also known as poor interoceptive awareness. You may misinterpret your bodily cues for hunger whereas, in reality, it could be something else. Or you only notice you’re hungry when you’re starving.
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Does your mind constantly race at 100 miles per hour, even at night? Then, when you wake up, you feel groggy and don’t function well? If so, you’re more likely to make impulsive decisions and reach for snacks.
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Also known as procrastineating. No matter whether you’re not hungry, eating becomes a way to delay the task you’re supposed to be focusing on. Often it’s the sugary and salty snacks we procrastineat on that give our brain a short-term boost.
Does this resonate with you? If so, then working with a neurodiversity specialist who understands food, nutrition and executive function is beneficial.
By working with a neurodiversity specialist focused on developing your executive function skills, you will learn to eat better and bring the best out of yourself.
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Setting You Up for Success
When we work together, we’ll take a holistic view of your diet and lifestyle. We’ll identify problem areas and build practical solutions for positive transformation. As an ADHDer, I know keeping up with a routine is difficult. It’s not about changing the world at once as we’ll start small and simple, allowing you to create momentum.
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Developing Mindfulness Around Food
The aim is to become aware of foods that don’t serve you well, and develop a habit of becoming mindful of what you’re eating. Neurodivergents benefit from eating a balanced diet of whole foods which support brain function and general health. You’ll learn what foods are good and develop recipes around them.
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Fun and Easy Recipe Creation
Let’s make food fun and interesting for your brain. As an experienced chef and certified health coach, I actively get involved in your nutrition. This means I can help you create menus and recipes based on foods you like. We’ll identify any sticking points which could prevent you from completing the recipes and look at what would make it easier for your executive function.
By the end of our sessions, you’ll feel empowered because you’ll have systems and processes that work with you rather than against you.
Then, a few months down the line, you’ll see positive shifts in your mood. Perhaps you’ll even be enjoying cooking healthy foods.
There is no instant fix, so be kind to yourself. None of us is capable of sustaining drastic change. Change won’t happen overnight, but you can begin heading in the right direction.
Book a call to discover how food and nutrition can support your wellbeing.
Meet Your Coach
Luke is a coach, mentor & neurodiversity specialist, diagnosed with ADHD himself in 1994. With over 20 years of experience as a qualified chef, he also incorporates education on food and nutrition into his practice.
He helps adults manage and maximise their gifts through executive function, burnout, life, nutrition, and health coaching to facilitate self-awareness. Luke believes being neurodivergent is an asset and a strength when the right balance and structure are created and viewed holistically.
Luke specialises in impostor phenomenon, perfectionism, and rejection sensitivity, creating a safe space for clients to uncover their strengths. He works with creative minds, freelancers, mid-career professionals, and entrepreneurs.