Back-to-school season always sneaks up on me. On the outside, it looks like buying school supplies, packing lunches, and getting back into routine. But as a mom of three ADHD kids (and living with ADHD myself), I know it’s never that simple.
It’s the daily fight to get my kids to eat something before they run out the door.
It’s packing a lunchbox I know will come back half-eaten, if touched at all.
It’s watching my kids’ appetites vanish the moment their ADHD meds kick in.
It’s holding back tears at the dinner table when I’m begging them to please, just take a few bites.
If you’ve ever sat there wondering why does food have to be such a battle in my house?—please know you’re not alone. I’m right there with you.
The Food Struggles I See Every Day
In my house, and in so many of the families I work with, these struggles come up again and again:
- Sensory issues: My kids can spot the tiniest change in texture, smell, or brand—and suddenly a “safe” food is off the list.
- Picky eating: Yesterday’s favorite? Today it’s “gross.”
- Medication appetite loss: Mornings and school days are the hardest—my kids just don’t feel hungry, and sometimes their weight drops. Then by bedtime, they’re starving and raid the kitchen.
- Parent burnout: The emotional load is heavy. Never knowing what will be eaten, worrying if they’re growing, constantly negotiating bites—it’s exhausting.
And the truth is, it’s not just our kids who feel overwhelmed. As parents, we carry the stress, guilt, and frustration too.
What’s Actually Helping in My Home
I don’t have it all figured out. But here’s what’s made life a little easier in my house with three ADHD kids:
- Routine & structure: ADHD brains do better when meals and snacks happen at the same times every day. Predictability reduces battles (for them and me).
- Safe foods always: I make sure there’s at least one thing on their plate I know they’ll eat, even if it means repeats. That’s okay.
- Supplements when food isn’t enough: With ADHD meds blunting appetite, I lean on evidence-based vitamins and minerals—like magnesium, vitamin D, zinc, and omega-3s—to support focus, mood, and growth. This takes the pressure off mealtimes.
- Getting kids involved: When my kids help choose groceries, pack their lunch, or stir something in the kitchen, they’re so much more likely to eat it.
- Letting go of perfect: Some days dinner is eggs and toast. Some days it’s the same lunch three days in a row. And that’s okay. It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress.
Why I Share This
I share this not just as a dietitian, but as a mom who lives it too. I know the heartbreak of watching your child refuse food, the frustration of endless mealtime battles, and the fear of wondering if they’re getting what they need.
But I also know there’s hope. With small, realistic changes, we can reduce the stress, support our kids’ brains, and make food feel less like a fight.
Final Thoughts
If you’re heading into this school year already dreading the food battles—please hear me: it’s not your fault. ADHD makes eating different. It makes parenting around food harder.
But you don’t have to figure it out alone. I’d love to help you find realistic, sustainable ways to support your child’s brain, mood, and energy—without the guilt and overwhelm.
Book a free consult today, and let’s make this school year just a little bit easier—for both you and your child.
