Im sure you’ve heard it said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And yet, many people, ADHD or not, tend to skip breakfast or rely on a bagel or piece of toast and coffee to get them through the morning.
If you eat a light breakfast like a piece of toast or just coffee, you are starting your day off on a wrong note. Your body has not had nourishment since the night before; it needs food for fuel to wake up your brain and your body and help you get moving.
Studies have shown that children who eat breakfast on a regular basis have higher test scores, less depression, anxiety, and hyperactive behavior and are able to focus more easily.
And the same is true for adults. According to Ned Hallowell, MD, author of Delivered from Distraction, “If you don’t eat properly, you can become distracted, impulsive, and restless,”. In fact he considers a balanced diet to be part of the treatment program for ADHD.
Those are important words - balanced diet. That means just what it says. Too much of any one thing is no good. Ideally you should eat food that is minimally processed and good for you.
For your ADHD brain, you should have some form of protein at every meal. Protein doesn’t just mean meat, nor does it mean high calorie. There are all kinds of protein bars and shakes out there. Dairy products like yogurt and cottage cheese have protein. Greek yogurt is an especially good choice. And if you don’t want to eat real eggs, there are always egg whites and egg substitutes. Throw in some veggies and cheese and you’ll be good for hours.
You should also start each morning with a glass of water. Proper hydration throughout the day is important for your body but also for your brain. A well hydrated (and fed) brain will perform at it’s best, making your ADHD symptoms easier to manage, and isn’t that what it’s all about?
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