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This article was written by Qaqamba Falithenjwa.
Neurodivergent individuals operate differently from all people because their brains are wired uniquely. According to WebMD, this term is usually used to define people who are living with developmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyspraxia, etc.
Since these individuals see life through a different lens than everyone else, what some people regard as healthy food might not register as healthy to them. I live with an autistic five-year-old so I know exactly what this looks like.
Several health experts suggested a few tips on how to eat healthy as a neurodivergent.
Have a hydration corner
Lydia Wilkins, an autistic journalist for Happiful, an online magazine that focuses on mental health and wellbeing, states that an individual who is neurodivergent, especially one with autism, may occasionally experience difficulties with interoception. This is a crucial sense that enables them to understand bodily feelings, such as whether they are hungry, thirsty, or injured. Lydia adds that over time, being unable to tell if you’re hungry or thirsty might negatively affect your physical and emotional well-being, therefore it is better to “Have an easily accessible bottle of water within eyeshot. If you commute, stock up on liquid to take with you.”
Put time on display
The neurodivergent journalist continues to state that individuals of her nature tend to have executive functioning difficulties, leading them to be unable to carry out or finish tasks well. “Think of making a sandwich and all the steps. All of them must be sequenced to get to the final stage, and it’s a lot! Making time visual can help, such as when it comes to using timers on your phone to help plan out your tasks.” Lydia states that this can help you time your duties accordingly and avoid stopping them halfway or exceeding the expected time.
When eating, feel your fullness
The Accessible Wellness publication advises that as a neurodivergent you need to feel your fullness by paying attention to your body’s sensations during eating and stopping when you feel comfortably full. The publication recognises that this principle can be challenging for you due to interoceptive awareness, but suggest that you try mindful eating techniques, such as taking breaks and checking body sensations. However, it is said that you may also need extra external stimulation.
Organise your fridge according to meals
According to Happiful, for you to avoid feeling overwhelmed when it comes to preparing meals, you can choose a shelf in your refrigerator and label it for each meal category: breakfast, lunch, supper, and maybe snacks. The online magazine further suggests that you give yourself time to prepare the items for each meal on each shelf for the upcoming week, claiming that this technique saves time and budget.
This article first appeared on Bona.
