6 Unexpected Eating Behaviors That Might Signal You Have ADHD

People with ADHD often face three main factors that drive snacking: executive functioning challenges, low interoceptive awareness, and lower dopamine levels.

“When executive functioning makes regular meals hard to manage, snacks become the easier fallback. Over time, that irregular eating can impact hunger cues, reinforcing the cycle of snacking and inconsistent eating,” Brown said.

Many people with ADHD don’t notice hunger until their energy is already tanking, making them more likely to reach for quick, carb- and sugar-heavy snacks. “The quick energy is also highly stimulating and provides dopamine rushes, which reinforce the ADHD brain,” Brown said.

Beyond setting a steady meal routine, Brown suggests finding other ways to stimulate the brain, like using fidget tools, taking short movement breaks or switching tasks to reengage your focus.

Sign 2: You rely heavily on takeout or delivery.