ADHD Food Struggles: 4 Reasons We Eat Like Chaos Gremlins

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Ever hyperfocus through breakfast and lunch, then inhale an entire bag of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos at 3 PM? Same. ADHDers Caitlin and Ariella Monti break down why ADHD brains treat food like a dopamine slot machine—and how to stop the guilt spiral.

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Who Should Listen

• Moms who’ve eaten "just one more cookie" 7 times
• ADHDers whose fridges grow science experiments
• Anyone who’s cried after forgetting to take dinner out of the freezer

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What You Get In This Episode (aka “Why We’re Like This”)

1. The Dopamine Chase: 
   • Carb-heavy, crunchy, or Tajín-covered foods = quick brain rewards
   • "It’s not laziness—your brain is literally starving for stimulation"
2. Meal-Skipping → Hangry Meltdowns: 
   • Hyperfocus mutes hunger cues until you’re "crying over burnt toast" level
   • Pro tip: Set a "snack alarm" (even if you ignore it twice)
3. Executive Dysfunction Dinners: 
   • Rotisserie chicken = MVP when cooking feels like "advanced calculus"
   • "Salad kits > farmer’s market dreams. Fight me."
4. The Binge/Guilt Cycle: 
   • Impulsivity + emotional dysregulation = "I’ll just have one… oh no"
   • ADHDers are 4x more likely to develop eating disorders

WHEN TO GET HELP:

• If food feels out of control, seek: 
  • Registered dietitians (RDs) (not just "nutritionists")
  • Therapists specializing in ADHD + disordered eating

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Bios

• Caitlin (CK): Former teacher, current "red no. 5" apologist
• Ariella Monti: Author, ADHD advocate, and "frozen pizza is a food group" realist

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Sources & Mentions

• Ariella’s Snack Hack: "Keep a jar of mixed nuts on your desk to prevent hanger!"
• The ADHD-Dopamine Link: Why You Crave Sugar and Carbs | ADDitude Mag
• 4 Ways ADHD May Affect Your Eating Habits—and How to Get Back on Track | SELF
• The ADHD Dietitian on Instagram
• Why Sugar is Kryptonite: ADHD Diet Truths | ADDitude Mag
• Dopamine: What It Is, Function & Symptoms | Cleveland Clinic
• Intuitive Eating: Benefits and Principles | Cleveland Clinic
• Comorbid health conditions in people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders: An umbrella review of systematic

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Love,
CK & GK

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