Adults with ADD: What Did You Eat for Breakfast?

Adults with ADD: What Did You Eat for Breakfast?
I recently joined a women's group with local nutrition
counselor. The focus of the group is "eating for energy and
beauty," which really appeals to me.

One of the first questions that the group leader posed to
us last week was "What did you eat for breakfast?"

I answered "pancakes." They were homemade, with whole grain
flour, eggs, and milk.

The next question she asked was "How did what you eat
affect your energy today?"

I had an instant "ah-ha" moment. I had felt sluggish that
day and had a hard time getting going in the morning. Even
though I pump up my pancakes with lots of protein in the
form of milk and extra eggs, they're still
carbohydrate-heavy. And for me, that's not a good way to
start the day.

Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) are
super-sensitive to internal and external stimuli. This
includes the foods we put into our bodies. Protein-rich
foods like meat, dairy, nuts, and beans can go a long way
in helping an ADDer to stay alert, focused, and energized
during the day.

On the flip side, too much refined carbohydrates like
sugar, corn syrup, and white flour can have us feeling
sluggish and groggy.

My women's group leader challenged us to experiment with
breakfast foods the next week to see what foods supported
our energy throughout the day, and what foods didn't. The
goal was to develop individual, internal wisdom about
nutrition.

Every person is different, and some women found that a
high-carb breakfast supported their energy throughout the
day. I wasn't one of them.

When I really paid attention to it, I found that the best
breakfast for me is two scrambled eggs (pastured eggs from
a local farm--you won't believe how good pastured eggs are
til you try them) and an apple or small piece of bread. I
seem to need a big hit of protein in the morning (in the
form of the eggs) along with a small dose of carbs (in the
form of fruit or bread).

The thing is, I knew this about myself, that my body
responds well to a high-protein breakfast. But I didn't
really pay attention to it until I was challenged to do so.
Kinda like ADD coaching...

So now I'd like to offer you the same challenge. Pay
attention to your breakfast!

Which foods support you, and which don't?

Which foods give you energy, and which rob you of energy?

Which foods seem to have a negative effect on your ADD?

Do some experimenting!

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Jennifer Koretsky is the Founder of the ADD Management
Group, Inc. and the author of Odd One Out: The Maverick's
Guide to Adult ADD. Jennifer and her team work with ADD
adults who are overwhelmed with everyday life in order to
help them simplify, focus, and succeed. For free resources
and information on adult ADD, visit
http://www.ADDmanagement.com .