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What's your chosen diet as someone with ADHD/Autism (beehaw.org)

submitted 10 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I've tried a lot of diets, and I have a lot of trouble committing and maintaining structure. I eat out every day. I don't exercise much. I'm having trouble with willpower fasting. Still I think the most "ADHD friendly" way of dieting is likely fasting. It requires little practical restructuring of ones life, just commitment and willpower. Do you all have anything better? Any advice?

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[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) (1 children)

Quit soda is a pretty basic easy one. Don't drink anything except juices, water, and milk and make sure the juices are 0 sugar. You may get withdrawals depending on how often you regularly drink sugary drinks. Carbonated water works too, just make sure to read the label to see if it's actually 0 sugar. It'll take a lot of willpower in the first few weeks but after that it's smooth sailing. I'm 6 weeks right now without soda and already dropped 10 pounds of weight. All I've had is water, carbonated water, and lemonade on occasion.

Calorie counting can also help depending on the availability. You don't have to be meticulous. Just make sure you aren't eating as much empty calories and that you don't go over the recommended daily amount too much.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 10 months ago (1 children)

Calorie counting is pretty bad permanent solution for ADHD, though in one week spurts I have made it effective for identifying problem foods.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago (1 children)

I mean for me it was bad at first but once I began memorizing calories of my favorite snacks it led to me eating less of them. Ymmv though. Sugary drinks is the number one imo. Even candy is sometimes better than a single can of soda.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago (2 children)

I drink diet. Tho I’m pretty addicted to them.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 10 months ago

Okay then I agree with what the other person said. Go healthier. Don't overwhelm yourself though. You don't need to suddenly go vegan. Just shop healthier. It also helps to eat out less simply because restaurants like to give big servings. It just starts with strawberry pop tarts instead of cookies and cream. That sort of thing.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago)

Have noticed a lot of people get addicted to diet soda relative to soda generally. Maybe it is just the caffeine, but most sodas have a lot of that.

Could you try swapping out one soda a day for a fizzy water? Maybe one for a coffee or a tea as well?

Food is harder to acquire new habits with, especially if you have to travel. I think that noticing what textures & flavours you reach for can help to figure out what to have instead, and identifying the pattern of cravings can help suggest methods to get ahead of them.

Willpower tends not to work so great for anyone, and less so for those of us with ADHD, but discovering satisfying alternatives can be useful.

That said, am a bit all or nothing myself when it comes to changing habits, as if a stricter boundary requires less thinking?