Feeding your child with ADHD

By Noa Miller, RDN, CD

ADHD-related impulsive eating, dopamine-seeking, (choosing highly palatable foods), poor appetite, and hyperactivity, may impact feeding in various ways.

Here are 10 tips to make feeding smoother:

1. Follow Ellyn Satter’s “Division of Responsibility” model, where parents are responsible for WHAT is on the menu, and WHEN and WHERE meals are served. Children are then responsible for WHAT and HOW MUCH they actually choose to eat.

2. Make meal and snack times every 2-3 hours to allow them to build a healthy appetite.

3. For kids who don’t eat a good lunch at school, plan for them to eat a “snacky” lunch like pretzels and string cheese or yogurt and granola bar.

4. Put on a timer for 10-15 min during which the child must stay at the table. Kids are in charge of feeding their body, but even if they don’t want to eat anything, they should stay at the table.

5. For pickiness, Ellyn Satter recommends being “considerate without catering”. Always offer a “safe” or preferred food (like bread, pasta) on the menu together with the other options.

6. Manage grazing / impulsive snacking: Create “kitchen closed” times between meals/snacks. Let them know when the next eating time will be. Let them plan the schedule /use a visual schedule.

7. Help kids manage restlessness with a wiggly cushion or help them feel grounded by putting a stool under their feet.

8. Consider serving a small dessert with the meal, like some chocolate chips or a small cookie, to encourage kids to come sit at the table and get them feeling positive about eating.

9. Get kids involved in cutting fruits and vegetables and making platters or skewers to go with meals. Consider getting kids involved in other prep and cooking tasks to increase exposure to foods outside of meals and increase their interest in tasting.

10. If a child didn’t eat well at dinner, try offering a filling snack right before bed.

For appetite loss / Stimulant use:

1. Serve a larger breakfast and evening snack, when appetite is best.

2. Use the 3 F’s to boost nutrition:

a) Fat – Include PB, full fat dairy, nuts, oil and butter ,

b) Frequency – Serve meals and snacks every 2 hours.

c) Fluids – Offer chocolate milk, juice, smoothies, and even nutrition drinks like ensure plus.

For individual support, reach out to an ADHD informed dietitian, or connect with Noa Miller, RDN, CD at nourishedwithnoa.com or nourishedwithnoa@gmail.com