Because many people with ADHD are diagnosed with binge-eating disorder, ADHD Online hosted a webinar this month — as part of ADHD Awareness Month — to share information about both conditions.

ADHD Online’s Chief Medical Officer Barry K. Herman, M.D., a board-certified psychiatrist, spoke about binge-eating disorder and ADHD during the Oct. 11 webinar — the second in our series of October webinars about ADHD.

“About 30% of patients with ADHD have some type of disordered eating, (and) the majority of patients who have eating problems with ADHD have binge-eating disorder,” Dr. Herman said during the webinar. “Somewhere between 20 and 25% of patients with ADHD have binge-eating disorder. And conversely, patients with binge-eating disorder have about a 20% chance that they also have co-occurring ADHD.”

People with binge-eating disorder consume large amounts of food in short periods of time. While binging, they often eat quickly, continuing when they’re full. They may binge when they’re alone.

“They hide their binge behaviors,” Dr. Herman said. “They’re often very embarrassed and ashamed and distressed about it.”

Many people with binge-eating disorder think that they have a willpower problem, not an eating disorder. The condition wasn’t formally recognized until 2013, when it was added to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), which providers use to diagnose mental health conditions.

Binge-eating disorder shares similarities with bulimia nervosa, another eating disorder. People with bulimia binge, but they also purge — to somehow get rid of what they’ve eaten afterwards. People with binge-eating disorder generally do not do that.

“Patients (with bulimia) engage in … compensatory behaviors to undo the effect of the binge,” such as vomiting, taking laxatives or exercising excessively to burn calories, Dr. Herman said. “With binge-eating disorder, there are no compensatory behaviors.”

Binge-eating disorder also shares similarities with ADHD.

“Both disorders are characterized by what we call dopamine signaling dysregulation,” Dr. Herman said. “The circuits that are regulated by dopamine (a ‘feel-good’ neurotransmitter) are not functioning properly.”

ADHD arises earlier in life than binge-eating disorder.

“ADHD starts in childhood,” Dr. Herman said. “Binge-eating disorder actually starts usually later on, meaning either very late adolescence or early adulthood.”

Providers can assess patients for ADHD and binge-eating disorder simultaneously.

Treatments for binge-eating disorder include psychotherapy and medication. Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine) has been approved to treat binge-eating disorder. It’s also approved to treat ADHD.

During the webinar, Dr. Herman also talked about screening questions that help to diagnose binge-eating disorder, possible reasons why some people with binge-eating disorder eat excessively at night, possible reasons why many people with binge-eating disorder are not obese and whether or not treatments for binge-eating disorder help patients lose weight.

The third and fourth webinars in ADHD Online’s series will take place Oct. 24 and 25. The Oct. 24 webinar, beginning at 5 p.m. E.T., will include experts exploring and explaining non-stimulant treatment options for ADHD. Dr. Herman and Lakeisha Love, a nurse pracitioner who is dual-certified in family medicine and family psychiatry, will be the presenters.

The Oct. 25 webinar, beginning at 3 p.m. E.T., will explore the connections between ADHD, depression and anxiety. Two presenters will share information about these three conditions, then answer viewers’ questions on these topics. Presenters will be David Toomey, D.O., a family physician with experience in psychological childhood trauma counseling, and Nicole Falcon, a certified family nurse practitioner who specializes in child, adolescent and adult psychiatry.

Mentavi Health, home of ADHD Online and a leader in clinical framework-based approaches to mental health telehealth, announces the addition of a screening for binge eating disorder (BED) to the testing capabilities of its existing mental health evaluations. The addition makes ADHD Online the first provider to offer asynchronous assessment for BED alongside assessment for ADHD, anxiety, depression, problematic social media usage, and OCD, part of a holistic and preventive approach to mental health.  

According to a healthline.com study, an estimated 2.8 million people – almost 3% of the U.S. population – have BED, making it the country’s most common eating disorder. It often starts in the late teens or early 20s, especially in women. Binge eating disorder affects individuals of all weights – normal, overweight and obese – and impacts three times the number of people diagnosed with bulimia and anorexia combined.  

“Binge eating disorder is under-recognized, under-diagnosed, and under-treated, especially in the primary care setting,” said Dr. Barry Herman, chief medical officer of Mentavi Health and a board-certified psychiatrist in both adult psychiatry and child and adolescent psychiatry. “It is primarily a disorder of adults, sometimes beginning in late adolescence, and is commonly a comorbidity of several psychiatric disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders, substance abuse disorders, and ADHD – up to 30% of people with ADHD have disordered eating.” 

People with BED also have an increased risk of medical conditions such as metabolic syndrome, beyond the effect of obesity alone, which makes BED a public health concern. “The untreated presence of BED presents a considerable public health concern,”  Dr. Herman said. “These comorbidities make the treatment and management of BED even more challenging, as addressing multiple conditions simultaneously requires a comprehensive and holistic approach.”  

Recognizing that broad health concern prompted Mentavi Health to add the new condition screening, known as the 7-Item Binge Eating Disorder Screener, or the BEDS-7, to its assessment engine. If the screening identifies symptoms of BED, patients are advised to consult a healthcare provider for an in-depth evaluation.  

Binge eating disorder is recognized as a distinct eating disorder under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5). It is characterized by recurrent episodes of eating atypically large quantities of food within a short time and experiencing a loss of control over one’s eating behavior. It also has a specific set of symptoms, including eating more rapidly than usual, eating until feeling uncomfortably full, eating large amounts of food when not physically hungry, eating alone due to embarrassment, or experiencing feelings of disgust, guilt, or depression after binge eating.  

Marked distress over binge eating is a key requirement for diagnosis, and overeating must occur at least once a week for three months to meet the criteria for a BED diagnosis. BED is not associated with the compensatory behaviors, such as purging or over-exercising, that are associated with bulimia or anorexia nervosa. 

Studies show that up to 43% of individuals diagnosed with BED are classified as obese, underscoring the complex interplay between psychological and physiological factors in eating disorders. Fewer than 40% of individuals with a lifetime diagnosis of BED have ever received treatment for an eating disorder, according to the World Health Organization.   

However, BED is treatable, with the primary therapeutic interventions being psychotherapy, especially cognitive behavioral therapy, and medication. Lisdexamfetamine, marketed as Vyvanse, is FDA-approved for the treatment of moderate to severe BED in adults.  

The aim for Mentavi Health is that the addition of BED screening to its assessments will lead to improved diagnosis and treatment of the disorder.   

Mentavi’s online assessment system, including the BED screener and ADHD assessment, notifies one of our psychologists once responses are in. The psychologist reviews the results to identify potential conditions like ADHD, Anxiety, Depression, or indications of BED. Without additional patient interaction, an assessment report is generated. Patients can then seamlessly transition to Mentavi’s virtual treatment, where our online providers guide them on the next steps.

“Given the health risks associated with untreated BED and its substantial impact on overall well-being, it is imperative for primary care physicians to be able to recognize the signs of BED, understand its potential comorbidities, and determine the most suitable course of treatment for their patients,” Dr. Herman said. “By enhancing awareness, knowledge, and skills in identifying and managing BED, healthcare professionals can contribute to improved outcomes and better quality of life for people struggling with this disorder.”       

For more information on Mentavi Health and ADHD Online, please visit https://adhdonline.com/.  

About ADHD Online  

ADHD Online was founded in 2018 with the mission that everyone should have access to quality ADHD assessments regardless of who and where they are. The ADHD Online team has experts across the United States who share a passion for ADHD and related mental health conditions and ensuring patients have access to critical mental health services. ADHD Online provides a critical voice for those who struggle with ADHD and has a unique offering of HIPAA-secured ADHD assessments online with reviews and results from licensed psychologists in all 50 states. ADHD Online is a brand under Mentavi Health. Mentavi Health addresses ADHD and adjacent mental health conditions in conjunction with organizational customers. 

I’ll just be upfront here, this episode does not focus entirely on ADHD and eating disorders. Instead, our team made the decision to look at how eating disorders impact our society as a whole and what’s being done to improve how we diagnosis and treat eating disorders. It’s estimated that 9% of the world’s population has an eating disorder and it is also one of the deadliest mental illnesses, making Eating Disorders Awareness Week something we needed to support. 

Joining us on the show is registered dietician nutritionist Hilmar Wagner from The Emily Program, a nationally-recognized program focused on using personalized treatment plans to help patients find lifetime recovery from their eating disorders. Hilmar works with both patients and providers through his role at The Emily Program and we’re diving into the big picture impact of eating disorders, what’s changed over the years when it comes to diagnosing and treating eating disorders and also looking at the state of care for people seeking treatment for an eating disorder.

Eating Disorder Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, call the National Eating Disorder Association Helpline at 1-800-931-2237. 

It is a toll-free, confidential number you can call Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m. Eastern and Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern.

More information on the NEDA Helpline

https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/help-support/contact-helpline

To connect with Becca, check out her website here and find her on Instagram here.

To get you started on your journey, we wanted to dive into the relationship between the ADHD brain and food. Because it is incredibly complex and we know disordered eating is a comorbidity many people with ADHD deal with. But it goes well beyond that and there are conversations happening right now that explore the connection between what we eat and how our brain works — the gut-brain connection.

These complex conversations are ones Dr. Marylin James is having every day with her patients, through her practice Haven Family Health in Jacksonville, Florida and through her work as a telehealth physician at ADHD Online. Dr. James uses her dual board certification in both family medicine and osteopathic manual medicine to provide her patients with the individualization they need. 

If your child with ADHD is heading back to school this month, one thing that you might be thinking about as a parent is the school lunch. Do you go with what the school is serving, or do you opt to make your child’s lunches at home? Here are some tips to consider as you navigate this issue.

Assessing Your School’s Meal Program

A good place to start is an examination of your school’s meal program because not all schools are going to give you the same option.

Naturopathic doctor Amy Nelson, writing on the People’s Rx site, notes that: “To be fair, school lunch programs vary in quality, from those that are nutrient-dense, health conscious and vegetable-centric to those that are fast food oriented and comparable to a microwave dinner at best.” Dr. Nelson specifically mentions that parents should avoid cafeteria foods that include food additives, refined sugar, and sodium benzoate, found in many food dyes.

The ADHD-focused website Play Attention recommends that when you look at school lunches, you should look for items like fresh fruits and vegetables and healthy proteins. Most schools publish their menus on their websites each month. But you can also make a lunch date at your child’s school so you can see how the program works in person, according to the non-profit Pew Charitable Trusts. Take the opportunity on this lunch date to help your child make healthy choices in the cafeteria and to reach out to the cafeteria and other school staff with feedback.

But what if the school lunch program just doesn’t measure up?

Packing It In

After examining the school menus, you might come to the conclusion that the local lunch program is simply not able to meet your child’s unique nutritional needs. In this case, it is good to be prepared with healthy, easy-to-make and kid-friendly lunches.

ADDitude Magazine recommends that parents wanting attractive but healthy options for their child’s lunch get creative with what they pack. They suggest variations on a theme of the typical peanut butter and jelly or ham and cheese sandwich. These variations can include a sandwich with peanut butter and jelly and sliced apples, or simply sliced fruit with a peanut butter dip. Instead of meat and cheese sandwiches, try ham or turkey chunks in potato or pasta salad or cheese sticks with pita chips.

Play Attention offers some helpful overall advice to help ensure homemade lunches are successful. It advocates asking your child’s teacher to keep an eye on them at lunchtime to make sure they are eating. It also advocates involving your child in the preparation process. Let your child choose their own foods (within the dietary guidelines) and try to choose finger foods or other foods easily eaten.

So, in summary: It is useful for you as a parent to take a close look at your school’s meal program. While some schools truly strive to serve healthy, nutritious foods that benefit all students — whether or not they have ADHD — not all programs live up to this standard. If you feel that your school’s lunches fall short, packing in a variety of nutrient-dense but fun foods will help you to manage your student’s ADHD even when you cannot be there in person.

Sources:

People’s Rx

Play Attention

ADDitude Magazine

PewTrusts.org

Doritos. Hot dogs. Soda. The options on the table at cookouts and pool parties aren’t usually known for their nutritional benefits. And if you or a loved one has ADHD, some of the season’s most popular treats (think pop ice – i.e. those long plastic-wrapped freezer pops loaded with sugar and dye) are less than optimal.

Following a healthy diet is hard at any time of year. It’s even tougher when food is served as a free-for-all. Still, says nutritionist, chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner Dr. Kristen Bentson: “Healthy doesn’t have to be hard.”

A first rule for healthier choices, according to Bentson: Read food labels and check the list of ingredients.

Watch for added sugar, chemicals and ingredients with numbers — like “red dye #40” and “polysorbate #80,” Bentson says. “These unnecessary ingredients tax the body and have the potential to create reactions,” she says.

Some research suggests a connection between ADHD and red dye, stating that it may increase hyperactivity and other negative behaviors, according to Medical News Today. And this ingredient can be found in so many common snacks, drinks and foods (not just Twizzlers and fruit punch). Soda, cereals, energy and sports drinks, gelatins, candy, dairy products, gum and even protein powders contain red dye #40.

Simple Summer Menu Swaps

So what are some healthier options for summer food? Consider these ideas from Bentson:

Snacks: Instead of potato chips, Doritos or cheese doodles, try PopChips, PopCorners, popcorn or Bare-brand apple chips. Sieta grain-free tortillas and Hippeas organic chickpea snacks are another good option, Bentson recommends.

Frozen treats: Instead of processed frozen treats or ice cream loaded with sugar, artificial ingredients and dyes, try Good Pop brand organic freezer pops, says Bentson. The brand also makes Cherry n’ Lemonade pops that look exactly like the classic red, white and blue rocket-shaped pops. But these pops are made with 100% fruit juice, rather than sugar, corn syrup, artificial flavors and dyes.

Want to skip the dairy, or you have a child who’s sensitive to gluten? Grab a pint of Fronen, a frozen dessert similar to ice cream with no dairy, sugar or gluten.

Are you a fan of Dole Whip frozen dessert? A Yonanas maker creates a dessert with a Dole Whip consistency using frozen bananas and other fruits of your choice.

After you’ve made your morning smoothie (try plant-based milk, frozen mango, banana and chia seeds), grab some ice pops molds (BPA-free/stainless steel are a great option) and pour the leftovers in to make healthy, homemade ice pop treats, Bentson recommends.

Another barbecue friendly dessert (with or without ice cream): Try grilling some peaches or pineapples, and top those with your favorite ice cream, or frozen dessert.

Main meal and sides: “For hotdogs, be aware of nitrates, nitrites and other chemicals,” says Bentson. She suggests that you use the Applegate brand or look for ‘uncured’ grass-fed beef hotdogs or turkey hot dogs. They use celery power, a natural additive, instead of chemical nitrates and nitrites.

If there’s grilled chicken available, opt for that high-protein, high-flavor option over a corn dog or other types of “fair food.”

Reach for fresh raw vegetables instead of pickles (which are often preserved in liquids that contain food dyes) and look for salads that aren’t loaded with mayonnaise. You can also grill your vegetables — whatever is in season. Sprinkle them with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and grill them.

Are you looking for a gluten-free bun alternative? Try Gillian’s gluten-free onion rolls, Bentson suggests. A bonus: they’re also dairy free and soy free.

Instead of french fries, Bentson suggests roasting russet potatoes in olive oil and sprinkling them with salt.

Drinks: Skip the Gatorade or PowerAid, says Bentson. She suggests trying a packet of LMNT — a sugar-free electrolyte drink mix — instead.

Other healthier swaps to quench your thirst with something other than soda? Try real-brewed iced tea (go easy on the sugar), lemonade, flavored water or flavored seltzer.

Hanging out by the campfire? “Try roasting apples instead of marshmallows,” says Benston. She suggests filling the bottom of the bowl with granola, adding roasted apples and topping with Cosmic Bliss, a plant-based ice cream alternative that’s free of dairy and refined sugar.

Source:

Medical News Today

By Mary Fetzer

With ADHD, meal planning can be challenging. It involves organization, budgeting, list-making and staying on task — the very things that people with ADHD struggle with every day. Here, you’ll find four clever ways to ease the stresses involved with getting dinner on the table.

1. A well-stocked pantry means that every meal won’t require a trip to the store.

“People don’t realize it, but most families eat the same meals every week,” says registered dietitian nutritionist Blanca Garcia. Having a list of favorite meals and keeping their ingredients on hand means less time spent shopping and fretting. You’ll always have what you need to whip up a dinner that you know your family will eat. “My family loves bean tacos,” says Garcia. “So I always have tortillas, corn, cheese and beans readily available if I have to scratch my original meal plan for that evening.”

Registered dietitian Johna Burdeos, who’s married to someone with ADHD, agrees with sticking to the tried-and-true. Burdeos recommends stocking up on frozen and canned foods — tuna, salmon, beans, legumes — when they go on sale and looking for recipes that incorporate those foods. “This way,” she says, “you’re not always having to rely on fresh food like produce and meats, and you can shop from your well-stocked pantry.”

Burdeos relies on easy-to-make meals on days she can’t cook. “I like wraps, baked potatoes, or Buddha bowls made with leftover meat or canned beans and round out the meal with some frozen vegetables,” she says.

2. Make a list and shop for groceries in a way that works for you.

Make trips to the grocery store less stressful for yourself — in a way that works with your ADHD brain. Start with a list: You wouldn’t go to the store without your wallet, and you shouldn’t go without a shopping list. No one wants to wander the aisles aimlessly, trying to remember what they came for.

Think about the way you think. Would it help to bring a printout of the recipes you plan to cook? Or does it make more sense to you to have preprinted lists on hand so you can check off what you need before each visit to the store?

If you’re never without your phone or smartwatch, use it to make shopping easier. Type or dictate your list into the notes area or download a grocery shopping app. Apps like AnyList and Our Groceries let you find deals, check nutrition facts and organize your items by dairy, produce and so on. Set it up for the entire household so your family can add to the list at their convenience.

Most grocery stores let you place an order in advance for pick up. You can complete your shopping at home while you’re meal planning. That way there’s no chance you’ll get to the store and forget an all-important ingredient for tonight’s dinner. To simplify things even further, consider a grocery delivery service like Instacart or FreshDirect.

3. Not every home-cooked meal must be made from scratch.

The goal is to cook smarter, not harder. Life coach Kekua Kobashigawa says she’s “practically allergic” to complicated meals. “I find it’s easiest for me when I can use the same base ingredients to make several meals that vary by sauce, seasoning or how they’re served.”

For example, Kobashigawa might buy fresh eggs, chicken and vegetables for the week’s meals. She cooks the chicken all at once with basic garlic and salt, and then portions it for the various meals for that week — adding different spices, seasons, or sides each time. “I can slice the chicken to make fajitas, chunk it up for shredded chicken with roasted veggies, and dice it for chicken chili, spaghetti and omelets — all healthy, nutritious meals that don’t require a lot of thought or effort.”

Burdeos likes doing once-a-week meal prep, also thinking about how she can stretch the ingredients in the recipe throughout the week. “Plan make-ahead meals like overnight oats, casseroles, meatloaf, chili or soups — foods that work as leftovers or can be frozen,” she says. Cook up some plain grain or pasta to keep in the fridge to use for different dishes throughout the week. That might mean buttered spaghetti with roasted veggies on Monday and spaghetti with red sauce on Wednesday.

Consider meal kit services like Hello Fresh and Blue Apron. They can be pricey, but the ease and convenience may be worth it when you have ADHD — especially if you tend to become frustrated with grocery shopping and meal planning.

4. Establish weekly routines to take the daily pressure off.

Since our families tend to eat the same meals on a regular basis, it can make sense to establish a weekly or biweekly rotation of meals. This way, you will always know which ingredients you must have on hand and how long meal prep will take.

Create theme nights — Macaroni Monday, Taco Tuesday, Wings on Wednesday — to eliminate the stress of having to keep track of what’s for dinner. And make it a family affair. Get your spouse and kids involved; invite grandparents, cousins or friends for a meal once each week. Many hands make light work, after all.

And give yourself permission to order takeout. The entire family will look forward to that day each week when you pick up a couple of pizzas on the way home from soccer.

Try our tips or use them to come up with your own. Family mealtime should be enjoyable and as stress-free as possible.

by Dronile Hiraldo

For people with ADHD, it can be difficult to sustain a regular work or study schedule, keep emotions in check and manage day-to-day responsibilities while also making sure you’re eating well. Regular mealtimes and good planning can help. Carving time into our schedules for meal planning can be the difference between a haphazard presentation and a thought-out pitch deck.

The Benefits of Meal Planning

Organization, time management and more focused attention are just a few key benefits of meal planning. Yet, one benefit that is often overlooked is nourishing our body with the nutrients it needs. “Meal planning is a helpful tool for everyone, but especially important for people who are on medications that can decrease appetite,” says integrative medicine specialist Julia Snyder, M.D., who practices in Moorestown, N.J. “Packing a healthy meal and eating by the clock can decrease the likelihood of getting a crash later in the afternoon as the medication wears off.”

Dedicating time in one’s schedule to coming up with meal ideas, cooking and baking can be one way to stimulate the brain and use one’s creativity productively. Shauna Pollard, a doctorate-level psychologist, echoes the impact meal planning can have on individuals with ADHD.

“Having nutritious meals on hand when needed can help [the] tendency to avoid skipping meals, [manage] the impulse to order takeout, pick up fast food, or eat junk food when busy [and] avoid emotional challenges that come with undereating,” she says.

Meal planning can also be a healthy way to mitigate symptoms and build in time for self-care. If you’ve been wondering how to make meal planning work for you, try these five key tips today:

1. Stick To The Basics: Keeping a few key ingredients on hand can both make the meal planning process easier and help to manage ADHD. Snyder suggests individuals stick to a diet high in protein while keeping it light on the sugar and refined grains.

“A general rule of thumb is to eat a rainbow of plants, nuts, seeds and whole grains, with healthy fats like olive oil,” Snyder says. “And avocado and clean animal proteins if preferred — like salmon, chicken, and grass-fed beef. Add in some dark chocolate as a treat.”

She also suggests including key vitamins and minerals like magnesium, iron, zinc, antioxidants, and Omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. “Vitamins and minerals play an important role in brain health and in making neurotransmitters,” Snyder says.

Whole foods like blueberries, rolled oats, pumpkin seeds and eggs can be the foundation for a couple of meals throughout the week, such as a large batch of oatmeal, freshly-baked muffins, or a savory frittata.

2. Schedule Your Meal Planning: Just like any important deadline, scheduling and prioritizing your meal planning is the key. “Meal planning is challenging because it involves so many of the executive functions: planning, organizing, multiple steps, staying focused, time management and managing distractions,” says Pollard. “Make time to come up with a game plan and write it down if you need to. Start with a meal plan strategy that’s not going to overwhelm you.”

3. Create a Menu: Foodies will love this next tip. The next time you’re meal planning, set aside time to create a two- to three-day menu. While a weekly menu is ideal, starting with two to three days allows you to get into the habit of coming up with meal ideas. Start by listing two or three breakfast, lunch and dinner options that you enjoy, are easy to make and you wouldn’t mind repeating a couple of times in the week.

Becca Harris, a registered dietician specializing in ADHD nutrition, suggests an idea that can simplify your meal planning: “Create a list of eight or more of [your] favorite recipes,” she says. When creating a menu of recipes, Harris also suggests keeping it flexible so that there’s room to mix up meals. “It isn’t unusual for someone with ADHD to develop an aversion to their leftovers. Having some frozen or non-perishable backup foods is key. If you sense an aversion coming on, pop your leftovers in the freezer for another day. Some of the best freezable foods include soups, stews, curries, grains like rice or quinoa, animal proteins, stir-fries and baked goods.” This allows you to choose meals that align with what you’re feeling at the moment.

4. Batch Cook Your Meals: Instead of cooking one or two meals at a time, try your hand at doubling a recipe or two to cook for multiple days at a time. Use your handy menu to cook the meals that will either have the most versatility or give you the most amount of servings in the week. As you habitually cook meals, you’ll become familiar with how much time it takes to prepare and the number of servings you’ll get from each one.

5. Keep Meals Visible: Ever cooked your favorite meal to then have it disappear and then reappear in the back of your fridge weeks later? This “out of sight, out of mind” allusion is what specialists call object permanence. Object permanence is the ability to remember a person or object, like a pre-cooked meal, when hidden. After you’ve spent time prepping, cooking and portioning, the last thing you want to do is forget that your favorite meal is eagerly waiting for you to return. Instead of stuffing your meals wherever they can go in the fridge, place them in glass or see through containers where you can easily see them. This will help you extend your meals, keep object permanence at bay, and give you the added benefit of having to worry less about cooking another meal.

“Just like anything else, start small and work towards your goal,” Snyder says.”It doesn’t have to change overnight. Celebrate small successes. Make it fun.”

Books like Dr. Leslie Korn’s “Nutrition Essentials for Mental Health” and “Cookbook for Busy Minds,” from Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, can be good places to start. As meal planning becomes more familiar, you can extend your planning or cooking. Most importantly, make meal planning a fun part of your day, and remember to think about the benefits it’ll bring to you and your mental health.

Sources:

Nutrition Essentials for Mental Health: A Complete Guide to the Food-Mood Connection by Leslie Korn, PhD

Cookbook for Busy Minds from Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

Understanding BED in Today’s Busy World

Life’s pace might have us occasionally indulge more than we intend. Yet, for some, this habit transcends into a consistent pattern. BED isn’t just about eating a lot; it’s about moments where you might consume vast amounts of food quickly, even when you’re not hungry. It’s sneaking in late-night bites alone due to embarrassment and grappling with guilt afterward.

Unlike other eating challenges, those with BED don’t follow up with actions like purging or excessive exercise. It’s a silent battle of emotions and control.

The Surprise Connection with ADHD

We’ve all heard of ADHD, often linking it to hyperactivity or being easily distracted. But beneath the surface, ADHD is intertwined with many aspects of our lives, including eating habits. A noteworthy static – approximately 30% of those with ADHD also grapple with some form of disordered eating.

Psychiatrist and Mentavi Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Barry K Herman, who has extensively researched Binge Eating Disorders, highlights this surprising connection: “It’s not just about losing focus on a task. It’s about how our brains process rewards and emotions, leading some of us to find comfort in food.”

Seeking Effective Solutions

While ADHD symptoms are outwardly evident, and BED showcases through bingeing, the real crux lies deeper, within individual biological and psychological makeups. “The path to effective treatment lies in understanding each patient’s unique profile,” Dr. Herman emphasizes. 

“By raising awareness and equipping people with knowledge, we’re paving the way for healthier lifestyles and emotional well-being,” stresses Dr. Herman.

Discovering the Power of Connection

Recognizing the connection between BED and ADHD illuminates new avenues for holistic treatments. While the connection between BED and ADHD adds complexity, it also opens doors for more tailored treatments. But as Dr. Herman emphasizes, the first step is recognition. 

Moreover, getting an ADHD diagnosis through comprehensive testing can be the key to unlocking a deeper understanding of one’s behaviors and choosing the best therapeutic approach. Both disorders, though challenging, can be managed effectively, leading to brighter, more balanced days ahead.