Dieting with ADHD

Having ADHD I really struggle with impulse control. If I see something I want to eat I have a tendency to just go and grab it, eat it, and then think of the consequences later.

Does anyone else have this kind of problem? And what are the solutions?  (Note:no, Im not taking adderall or anything that suppresses appetite)

I have a problem with impluse control as well.

The best thing to do is to make sure that you write down a meal plan that is healthy and reserve 100 or 200 calories for the unknown.  That way when you do want something that is unplanned, you have really planned for it.

You can also get into the mind set that if you do treat yourself and go over you set calories for the day you will walk a block for every 25 extra calories.  Get some extra exercise and fresh air.

See, 100 or 200 cals spare isnt so useful when I grab a chocolate bar or a plate of chips (fries) or a big muffin or something... Or all three! Often I dont know how many cals Ive eaten.

Exercise has never been an issue for me. I play soccer, rugby and cricket and run everywhere.

Same problem. I take fish oil which helps with ADD/OCD and I don't keep foods in the house that tempt me.

YES, I have ADHD, too! I just never connected the two...thank you. Believe it or not, it helps to have a name for what happens. I can understand my impulses better, or at least my "responses" to my impulses...now I can say (I hope), "Now that's just the ADD talking, not you..." Hope it works...I'll try to let you know -- I lose track of where I've been...could that be another symptom?

I have the same problem.  And until recently have never been medicated for ADD.  I was prescribed Focalin and so far (only 4 days in) it has helped immensely with me being able to control my impulses.  Like last night I wanted some chocolate, but I just told my self no and then the thought went away, as opposed to before I would have dug out any chocolate that I had in my house and ate as much as I could....even if I wasn't hungry.  Its really hard to explain to people who don't have add but so far the medication has been helping me with that, as well as, the usual add symptoms.  Other than that, I dont even know what to suggest.....I had such a difficult time, this has been the only thing that has worked so far.

Oh, wow I didn't know that ADHD might impact my "cravings" for certain foods that lead me to eating a lot of a certain type of food...interesting!  I should look into that, thanks for the info =]

I was diagnosed with ADHD 21 years ago, and have been on and off medication my whole life (currently on adderall).  When I was younger, because of the meds, I was so skinny my parents had to force me to eat, and through college I took myself off meds and gained 15 pounds. At the time, that was a good thing, but in 7 years I have gained an additional 25 pounds, and now it's hard to lose it because I'm stuck in my old ways of eating whatever I wanted.  Also, my metabolism is slower because I'm older.  The only advice I can offer is that it's easier to save one day every two weeks (or week, or whatever works for you) and cheat on that day, but be good all the rest.  For example, if you crave chips (fries), tell yourself you can have them on that day, but not before.  It helps to know you'll be able to eat them eventually, you aren't banned from them, and allows you to hold off a little.  The adderall helps me while I'm on it during the day, but I gained 9 lbs in the past 6 months by binge eating at night.  Someone needs to lock that fridge for me!  Good luck to you.

Binge eating at night has been a real bugga-bo with me.

It didn't used to be anight, but rather whenever I'd ascounce myself in my bedroom with a good book. We were military and moved all the time: being somewhat shy, this was my escape mechanism.

In college I slimmed down. However, after being married, etc., etc., it seemed like nighttime -- esp. if everyone was already in bed -- was MY time...I de-stressed by munching and crunching while watching TV or reading -- pure escape.

I see that I still have that proclivity.

Part of the help with this site, is that it's hard to eat while typing! So, I may have found a different outlet....but, then, it's keeping me up WAY later than I like, so...it's all balance, isn't it?