Is your child taking ADHD medication and barely eating during the day?
Reduced appetite is common with stimulant ADHD medication and can make it harder for some children to meet their nutritional needs.
Rather than battling your child to eat, try working with their appetite pattern.
1. Make breakfast count
Appetite is often better before medication kicks in, so make the most of breakfast.
Think energy + protein + carbohydrates.
Try eggs and toast, Weet-Bix with full-cream milk and banana, pancakes with peanut butter or even leftovers.
2. Pack their favourites for recess and lunch—but don't pressure them
Lunch may be the time when your child’s appetite is lowest.
Pack familiar foods they enjoy, but don’t panic if the lunchbox comes home untouched.
Avoid pressure to eat and look at what your child eats across the whole day.
3. Make after-school food count
As medication wears off, appetite may return.
Instead of a small snack, offer something more substantial such as leftovers, pasta, a toasted sandwich, eggs and toast or a smoothie.
For some children, this can be an important opportunity to make up for food missed at school.
4. Add a bedtime boost
If your child hasn’t eaten much during the day, consider an energy-rich snack or milkshake before bed.
Try a homemade milkshake, yoghurt and fruit, toast with peanut butter or crackers and cheese.
5. Keep an eye on growth
If your child’s appetite has changed significantly, keep an eye on their height and weight over time.
Speak with your GP, paediatrician or paediatric dietitian if you’re concerned about growth, weight gain or nutritional intake.
If your child hasn’t eaten much during the day, consider an energy-rich snack or milkshake before bed.
Try a homemade milkshake, yoghurt and fruit, toast with peanut butter or crackers and cheese.
The takeaway
You don’t necessarily need to make your child eat more at lunchtime.
Work with their appetite
Make the most of breakfast, afternoon appetite and bedtime—and keep an eye on their growth.
Belinda Martin, Accredited Practising Dietitian
Belinda Martin, Accredited Practising Dietitian
About Advanced Dietitians Group
Advanced Dietitians Group was founded in 2014 by Belinda Martin and Ingrid Roche, Perth dietitians with a combined experience of over 50 years in the industry. Their team has now expanded to include 8 more Accredited Practising Dietitians with a range of experience in nutrition across the lifespan and specialising in infant and paediatric nutrition, allergies, pregnancy and maternal nutrition, women’s health, neurodiverse children, children and adults with disabilities and the ketogenic diet for the treatment of epilepsy. They provide up-to-date evidence-based nutrition advice. This, coupled with their wealth of experience in dietetics, ensures you get the best possible nutrition service. They get a buzz out of helping their clients and their families.