I’ve tried a lot of diets, and I have a lot of trouble committing and maintaining structure. I eat out every day. I don’t exercise much. I’m having trouble with willpower fasting. Still I think the most “ADHD friendly” way of dieting is likely fasting. It requires little practical restructuring of ones life, just commitment and willpower. Do you all have anything better? Any advice?

  • bermuda@beehaw.org
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    2
    ·
    edit-2
    1 year ago

    Quit soda is a pretty basic easy one. Don’t drink anything except juices, water, and milk and make sure the juices are 0 sugar. You may get withdrawals depending on how often you regularly drink sugary drinks. Carbonated water works too, just make sure to read the label to see if it’s actually 0 sugar. It’ll take a lot of willpower in the first few weeks but after that it’s smooth sailing. I’m 6 weeks right now without soda and already dropped 10 pounds of weight. All I’ve had is water, carbonated water, and lemonade on occasion.

    Calorie counting can also help depending on the availability. You don’t have to be meticulous. Just make sure you aren’t eating as much empty calories and that you don’t go over the recommended daily amount too much.

    • EthicalAI@beehaw.orgOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      4
      ·
      1 year ago

      Calorie counting is pretty bad permanent solution for ADHD, though in one week spurts I have made it effective for identifying problem foods.

      • bermuda@beehaw.org
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        2
        ·
        1 year ago

        I mean for me it was bad at first but once I began memorizing calories of my favorite snacks it led to me eating less of them. Ymmv though. Sugary drinks is the number one imo. Even candy is sometimes better than a single can of soda.

          • bermuda@beehaw.org
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            2
            ·
            1 year ago

            Okay then I agree with what the other person said. Go healthier. Don’t overwhelm yourself though. You don’t need to suddenly go vegan. Just shop healthier. It also helps to eat out less simply because restaurants like to give big servings. It just starts with strawberry pop tarts instead of cookies and cream. That sort of thing.

          • apis@beehaw.org
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            edit-2
            1 year ago

            Have noticed a lot of people get addicted to diet soda relative to soda generally. Maybe it is just the caffeine, but most sodas have a lot of that.

            Could you try swapping out one soda a day for a fizzy water? Maybe one for a coffee or a tea as well?

            Food is harder to acquire new habits with, especially if you have to travel. I think that noticing what textures & flavours you reach for can help to figure out what to have instead, and identifying the pattern of cravings can help suggest methods to get ahead of them.

            Willpower tends not to work so great for anyone, and less so for those of us with ADHD, but discovering satisfying alternatives can be useful.

            That said, am a bit all or nothing myself when it comes to changing habits, as if a stricter boundary requires less thinking?