Module Ten: ADHD & Nutrition
Do you eat healthily or on the go to the next project? Do you plan your meals?
Is there such a thing as an ADHD diet?
All these are important questions as we are becoming more aware than ever that what we eat and drink can affect our well-being due to recent research studies, but how does it affect ADHD? this module explores what food reduces the symptoms and what supplements enhance your ADHD brain. ng in a world where distractions are plentiful, we are finding it harder more than ever to stay focused on task. When it comes to driving it can be that split second that could cause an accident and lose your life all together.
This module explores what food reduces the symptoms and what supplements to get your ADHD brain at optimal functioning. It also looks at what you drink too and addresses caffeine as well as the importance of drinking water.
Step 1: Watch the recorded coaching module
Just click the play button on the embedded video and take notes.
Step 2: Download the presentation
Pay attention to what you eat and drink.
Step 3: Allocate time to do the work
Now it is time to become aware of what you are eating and drinking, then you can make subtle changes to your diet and lifestyle. There are some useful tried and tested templates in order to do this and start meal planning and being more mindful. The end result will be that you will experience more energy.
Coach Advice:
"Nutrition is the new medicine, so why not pay attention to what we eat and drink to reduce the symptoms associated with ADHD”
According to Harvard Medical School, there is a high rate of obesity in the ADHD population, which is contrary to popular belief as people think they are burning so much energy through hyperactivity. Research shows that many gastric bypass patients have ADHD and associated impulse control disorders. Therefore, it’s important to address the issue of nutrition within this course, as food can be our best medicine when used alongside other treatments. This module covers the foods/drinks that make our ADHD symptoms more pronounced and foods that can aid in reducing the symptoms. We look at meal planning and what an ideal ADHD diet looks like.
Recommended Book:
Finally Focused: The Breakthrough Natural Treatment Plan for ADHD That Restores Attention, Minimizes Hyperactivity, and Helps Eliminate Drug Side Effects by James Greenblatt
Recommended Mindful practice for this module:
A growing evidence base suggests that mindful eating is highly effective in helping people manage unruly eating habits and lose weight. There are many benefits to mindful eating including improvements to the digestion system which contributes to overall health and wellbeing. Here is an introduction to Mindful Eating and we suggest you start applying it to your meal times. If you are unsure how to practice it, just book a mindful eating practice session with your coach.
Step 4: Download the templates or apps
In order to help you put some changes in place, templates for meal planning are provided so you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Of course there are also many apps that can help along the way too, but the important thing is to be consistent with what works for you. Just download each one and print your own copies. Alternatively you can create your own in evernote or another note organising app. The distraction test has been the most useful template for our clients and remember there is no right or wrong, just what is.
Recommended Phone Apps:
Meal Planning App, which allows you to start planning your meals.
WaterMinder will motivate you to drink more water and stay hydrated. An easy way to track your water intake to change your habits.
Celebrating ADHD run weekly group sessions on each module so you might find it useful to join one of those LIVE online webinars. The benefits of this is that you will start to realise that you are not alone in these struggles with nutrition. We want you to start fulfilling your potential and thriving with ADHD so start listening to our Celebrating ADHD podcast to get some inspiration. There is a recommended episode for each module.
Recommended Podcast for this module:
Step 5: Book a coaching review or take time out to reflect yourself
It is important to monitor and track our progress along the way in order to take charge of your ADHD. For example through taking the time out to do this reflection will highlight what is working for and what is not. This will save time in the long term as why to continue doing something that is not working for you and also if something is working for you, then why not do more of it? Therefore, please take this step as it is essential to the journey. You can even book a review session with a professional ADHD coach at a reduced rate below and then an online form will be sent to you in order to prepare for the session.
Monitor and track your progress.
Now it is time to review your module to see what you have learned and what changes you are putting in place. It is advisable that this is booked with one of our professional ADHD coaches.