ADHD, disordered eating, and getting through the holidays

The holidays are here — and so is all the food, family, and sensory overload that can come with them. Host Cate Osborn sits down with Aleta Storch, dietitian, nutritionist, ADHD expert, and founder of Wise Heart Nutrition, to talk about food and ADHD. They cover what disordered eating looks like (and how it’s different from a diagnosed eating disorder), why sensory sensitivities can make meals stressful, and what it’s like not to be believed when you say you don’t want to eat something. Plus, the dopamine rush of holiday treats — and how to navigate it all with more compassion and understanding.

(Note: This episode does not dive deeply into diagnosed eating disorders — we’ll have another episode in the future focused entirely on that topic.)

For more on this topic:

• The National Eating Disorders Association
• ADHD and eating
• Understood.org’s “Neurodiversity and the Holidays” survey
• Aleta’s website, www.wiseheartnutrition.com
• Aleta’s Instagram, @the_adhd_rd

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(02:05) Aleta’s personal story with ADHD and eating

(05:48) What’s the difference between an eating disorder and disordered eating?

(07:46) What about ADHD can affect our relationship with food?

(13:39) Sensory challenges and food

(18:11) The consequences of ignoring our own needs

(20:12) Good food practices to support ourselves and the neurodivergent people in our lives

(26:23) Aleta’s parting advice for the holidays

(28:23) Outro and credits

For a transcript and more resources, visit Sorry, I Missed This on Understood.org. You can also email us at sorryimissedthis@understood.org.

As kids head back to school, it's a good time to remember: not every student experiences the classroom the same way. Through My Eyes, a free interactive experience from Understood, lets you step into a day in the life of a kid with ADHD, dyslexia, or dyscalculia. See their strengths and challenges in a whole new way. Try it out here.

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