Here at So Nutrition, we’ve worked with hundreds of neurodivergent people dealing with different challenges related to diet and eating behaviours and we’re always fascinated by the ways that neurodiversity and nutrition interact.
We commissioned research to examine this topic, and the findings closely reflected our clinical experience, highlighting some of the difficulties that people with ADHD face when it comes to food.
Nine in 10 admitted to struggling with impulsive eating, whilst 63% said missing meals is a weekly or even daily habit.
So Nutrition’s Sarah Osborne explains: “For neurodivergent individuals, impulsive or emotional eating often goes beyond food itself and can relate to brain chemistry and biochemical balance, as well as being a response to emotions such as stress, frustration and feeling overwhelmed.
"Similarly, skipping meals can be attributed to ADHD’s core symptoms of impulsivity, inattention and executive function differences, which all hinder self-regulation and awareness of internal hunger signals.”
The independent research was conducted with 500 UK adults with ADHD and attests to the extent of the challenges. It has been used in a new report for the healthcare community to mark the launch of the So Nutrition Academy which aims to provide support and guidance for nutritionists, coaches and medical professionals working with neurodivergent people.
Additionally, the research revealed that:
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Almost all (96%) acknowledged they can forget to eat as a result of being hyper focused on other tasks, with 43% saying this happens often
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Nearly eight in 10 (78%) say they are highly sensitive to certain textures, tastes and smells. Tomatoes, mushrooms and bananas are some of the foods mentioned most
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More than nine in 10 (91%) find it difficult to plan or prepare meals
Sarah Osborne continues: “When eating turns into an emotional and impulsive response, it becomes easy to feel trapped in a cycle of guilt and frustration. We hope our study will support greater understanding of these challenges, which are closely linked to the way the neurodivergent brain responds to the world.”
For those interested in reading the full report, head over to So Nutrition Academy and request it here.
If you're struggling with your own challenges around diet and nutrition, visit our resources page which includes ADHD-friendly recipes or check out our courses and coaching.
