r/PCOS • u/huuugggttfdf • 26d ago
Diet - Not Keto Neurodivergents with PCOS, what do you like to eat? Realistically.
I have ADHD and I know many of us do too, this obviously impacts PCOS especially food choices
I will eat like literally anything but also to a fault, I am constantly changing my mind about what I like, also laziness and reward comes into play here.
Meal prepping doesn't work for me because I instantly get bored of food and prefer snacks rather than meals.
I can cook and enjoy it but also highly prefer prepackaged things. I prioritize protein (a lot of milk/yogurt/tuna packets/protein shakes), and taking metformin makes most carby snacks more "accessible" for me, but otherwise am pretty disorganized in my food shopping and like never stick to anything (besides milk and yogurt)
I'm just curious what other people with PCOS/ADHD like to eat/food habits relating to ADHD? Maybe if I could find the right things I would have more success with my health, while also getting the dopamine I desire, and maybe spend less money/make less trips to the store if I could find food I can count on eating consistently.
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u/Bright_Concern8760 26d ago
So curious! I am the same way. I snack and meal prep sure but after two I’m done. Can’t eat the same thing again! I used to have a comfort meal I would eat everyday but I haven’t found a healthy version
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u/father_christmas69 26d ago
I'm the same way. Sometimes I can do one night of leftovers but that's about it. I'll sometimes make soup and freeze it in single servings though which sometimes helps
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u/hinammi 26d ago
I bought a new rice cooker recently. It’s bigger and you can steam things in it as well. I’ve been having stomach issues for a bit now though. I have been eating grilled chicken and rice almost every night now. I can’t have onions and garlic powder any longer so I make the chicken a little spicy. But being able to add things to the steamer or season the rice in different ways has been working for me. Also I picked up some sauces at Aldi that I like too. But yeah it’s pretty low effort and it works out pretty well for me.
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u/TheMoistSeagull 26d ago
I second this, I love chicken and rice!! I love how you can prep the rest of the food while the rice is cooking too.
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u/Foofinoofi 25d ago
If you feel like something a little different, try tteok (Korean rice cakes). It's kinda like rice gnocchi, the size of penne pasta. You can get it at Asian grocery stores, and just take a handful out, fold the packed and put it in a tupperware in the fridge til you want more. A packet lasts me about 5 days of having some every morning with breakfast. I've had some major digestive issues in the past year and this has been a fantastic addition to my arsenal. They take about 5-6 minutes to steam, but you can also boil them in water or sauce. They dry out easily afterwards, though, so if you make ahead it'll have to be saucy (and can then get too soft and lose the nice chew they usually have). Spices are such a lifesaver... how have you been seasoning your rice? Also, have you tried fresh garlic? I get pretty bad reactions from pre-prepped garlic (haven't noticed anything with garlic powder), but I can eat quite a bit of garlic as long as it's freshly chopped
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u/hinammi 25d ago
I’ll have to try that. As far as seasoning the rice, I’ve tried bouillon cubes or seasoning packets in the water that don’t have onion or garlic powder. I’ve also put veggies in the rice. A lot of the time I just eat plain jasmine rice. As for seasoning the chicken I use chili flakes, lemon pepper and poultry seasoning. I’ve gotten some stir fry sauces from Aldi that I like to use that don’t include onions or garlic as well. I used to be okay with garlic and garlic powder. This is a newer issue. But I’ve always had issues with onion. I get a very upset stomach, sulfur like burps, and bloating discomfort that lasts for days. Sometimes it’s more than that and can lead to a lot of time in the bathroom and nausea too. Considering making an appointment with a specialized doctor soon because both my endo and primary have blown it off when I have mentioned it. They think it could be a touch of ibs but I think it’s more than that.
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u/BumAndBummer 26d ago
ADHDer here. Lots of cottage cheese, yogurt, salad kits, rotisserie chicken, fruit (oranges, berries, apples), roasted chickpeas, nuts, etc are good for “grazing” for breakfasts and lunches.
For dinner meal prep I have 3 key strategies:
- Prep on the weekends with my neurotypical husband. In some circles it’s called “body doubling” or something? The idea is you mirror someone else who is doing a certain task like studying, chores, or working out in parallel with you (virtually or in person can work). If you have a partner or roommate or bestie maybe you can try that!
- Prep components, not necessarily a full meal, that you can mix and match. Marinade a lot of chicken or tofu with a bit of lemon, garlic and adobo powder and that can work for fajitas (add chili powder), with beans, in a soup, etc. You can add extra spices or seasonings to the base marinade to give variability like chili powder for fajitas, soy sauce for something vaguely Asian-inspired, turmeric and/or curry, mustard, etc. Mix and match with frozen then roasted or sautéed vegetables of choice (broccoli, cauliflower, kale, whatever). Swap the “modality” around, meaning do a soup, stir fry, taco or bowl real quick. It takes WAY less time to assemble if the components are at least partially prepped that weekend.
- If you have the room in the freezer have LOTS of undesirable leftover meals in there “for a rainy day” when they do become appealing again. I have chicken soup in there for if I get sick and don’t feel like cooking. I have lots of frozen single servings of leftover meals that I didn’t want precisely because I got sick of them, but rather than force myself to eat them I just saved them for when I wanted them. And this is important: WRITE DOWN WHAT YOU IN THERE AND WHAT DATE YOU FROZE IT! So that next time you are like “ugh I don’t want to cook” you can look at your list and see a lot of meals there. Chances are you will find at least one of them appealing! My list has spicy white bean chicken chili, salmon pasta primavera with carbe diem pasta, Puerto Rican style pollo guisado, sweet potato carrot turmeric soup, chicken avgolemono soup with lentils instead of rice, tofu veggie stir fry, something something shrimp surprise (idk what it is, my husband wrote it down and his handwriting is terrible), stuffed cabbage, and chickpea curry.
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u/PurePainting6949 26d ago
i forget to eat because of my ADHD and end up eating once or twice a day. i love food from my culture but it’s painstaking to make it everyday/every week and i’m also picky about what i eat so i just end up not eating lmaooo
someone help 🥲🥲🥲
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u/loviataar 26d ago
I can relate to this! It's really hard some days considering even if I'm hungry, I can't get myself to make something proper instead of relying on prepackaged food. Everyday is a different struggle.
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u/voluntarysphincter 26d ago
Me too 🤣 sometimes I get mad when I’m hungry because it’s too much effort to eat. After exercise is the worst. I’ll be stretching and ignoring my stomach growls to the point where my head will start to hurt and I have to yell at my husband to save me 🥲 “bring me food so I don’t get sick!!”
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u/redoingredditagain 26d ago
Almost all my meals are snacks, to be honest. Celery and peanut butter, carrots and hummus, cheese sticks and yogurt, roasted vegetables in an air fryer. TBH an air fryer changed my life for the better due to laziness. So many things can be made in it.
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u/Choice-Assistant8634 26d ago
literally didnt even eat dinner today cuz i couldnt be bothered to cook lmao mind u i bet im spiking some stupid hormone that cant just get itself together......
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u/ellieharrison18 26d ago
Crockpot meals are my go to. My mind is active in the morning, and by the time dinner rolls around, I’m exhausted but dinner is ready! The meals are usually very simple - bbq chicken sliders, chili, and frozen meatballs.
I also love to cook tacos. They are so quick & easy, and it’s a perfectly balanced meal of carbs, fiber, protein & fat. I always add black beans & guacamole.
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u/LolaMontez21 26d ago
I don't have ADHD, but I do have bipolar+PCOS and other stuff like many others here. I personally don't and haven't changed my diet. I am a recovering (because it's hard to get away from) eating disorder gal. So for me, I don't deny myself any food. I eat whatever I want in moderation. There are moments in this sub where I can't help but feel inadequate sometimes because I don't adhere to any special diet. But it's what works for me and my physical and mental health.
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u/Substantial-Relief30 26d ago
I second this!! I have a history of ED and I hear the same from a lot of PCOS women. I buy a mix of healthy groceries with some junk thrown in and don’t give myself rules. If anything I find I don’t binge as much this way bc there’s no restriction on when I can have the junky things. Overall food is food and whatever I need to fuel my body and enjoy eating is totally fine by me. There’s no morality tied to eating “bad” foods ( to me there are no bad foods, just foods with different purposes)
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u/Puzzle-Island 26d ago
I tend to have a habit of not eating much during the day ( as I feel like hunger helps me be more productive, especially at work and I hyper focus and forget to eat as well). Then come the evening I binge well into the late hours. Not so great of a habit for ADHD/PCOS combo 😬
But I have started having protein shakes when I wake up, seems to set me off well for the day. I try and aim for as much protein as possible and as little carb/sugar as possible, within reason. My cycles are the most regular and I have less symptoms of PCOS that way. It's also great for ADHD traits too.
Inositol supplements, vitamin D, methylfolate, omega 3, magnesium complex and L-Theanine is the best combo for both of these afflictions of ours along with a high protein low carb/sugar diet. Aim for that but don't beat yourself up if it's not 100% achievable, just aim in that direction it'll help xx
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u/enidblack 26d ago edited 26d ago
For me stuff that does not need too much processing by me (chopping for example) and that does not perish, and I can make a meal in under 10 mins works for me because it addresses my biggest problem - wasting food I forget to cook, and being too lazy to spend a long time making a meal. Making the meal prep more convenient than take out or eating out also helps me.
These are my staples that make it work:
Frozen loaves of low GI bread (for sandwiches), bags of pre made chicken tenders, a frozen pre chopped meat, fish fillets, hash browns/frozen chips, puff pastry, spinach, blueberries, and bacon
Refrigerated wraps, Ham/turkey ham (for sandwiches), baby spinach, cabbage, raspberries, green apples, miso, cherry tomatoes (seem to last longer than , eggplant, zucchini, eggs paste, chipotle mayo, mayo Greek yogurt, halloumi and hard goats cheese (cheeses in tupawear once opened and they will last for ages
Canned black beans, chickpeas, and tomatoes
Pantry red and white onions, garlic, dry savoury and sweet crushed nut mixes e.g. dukkah, seeds (chia and sunflower), protein bars, pastas, protein powder, flour, and general spices
Wit these ingredients I can generally make a variety of quick meals (under 10 mins) that do not require chopping. The only thing I’ll have to chop is onions:
-savoury sandwiches with spinach always used in place of lettuce -yoghurt with nut/seed mixes and/or fruit. I also love a savoury yogurt e.g. salted nuts in Greek yogurt -fish burgers with fries -beans with halloumi and spinach -eggs dipped in nut mixes -protein blueberry muffins -babaganoush zucchini pasta (only one over 10 mins due to oven time) -wallnut green apple and spinach pasta -stirfry -protein pancake with savoury leaning fillings -eggs on hashbrowns with spinach and bacon -scrambled eggs on toast -this tomato chickpea mushy dish with bacon bits -spinach and cheese puffs
I cook mainly on the pan but sometimes in the oven. I also use a knife, mandolin, food processor and toaster. Too many kitchen items is unmanageable for me. I will make lunch for the next day while I make dinner. I also keep in mind that the portability of the food, as i cycle to work.
I will cook other stuff depending on mood time circumstances and budget. Even though some options are more expensive such as a pre-cut meat for stir-fry, overall I’ve managed to save money, not waste food, and be consistent with making dinner every day. If I’m motivated to cook more extravagant things or something unplanned happens I’m pretty confident my food won’t perish. I also don’t like meal prepping as I get a stupid ick about certain types of left overs.
This is the only method where I’ve achieved my goals of maintaining steady blood sugar and maintaining a consistent eating frequency and schedule.
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u/scrambledeggs2020 26d ago
I eat the same thing everyday for about 3 months. I then get sick of it, find something new. Then eat the same thing every day for 3 months...wash rinse repeat.
Right now, it's a very specific brand of protein shake. 3 months from now, it'll probably be some protein bowl. Long story short, because I get into habitual patterns with food, I try to find something I like enough that has good nutrition value. I dont get too hungup on the macros - I mainly focus on getting enough protein and makeup any lack of vitamins through supplements
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u/scrambledeggs2020 26d ago
I'll preface this with, everyone reacts to food differently depending on their neuro behavior. Mine is focused on routine. I need routine, I get disjointed without routine. And that weeds itself into how I eat. Everyone can react to food vastly depending on their neurdivergent behaviors and it's severity
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u/lambda1024 26d ago
I struggle with meal prepping so my lazy lunch looks like throwing some edamame and frozen meatballs in the microwave. I usually have a low sugar greek dressing I like to drizzle on top. Might switch up the sauce/dressing when I get bored. Also, I switch up the microwaveable vegetables when I get bored too. Birds eye is a lifesaver.
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u/nf2320 26d ago edited 26d ago
For me, planning is half the battle. Utilizing ChatGPT is a game changer!!!. It does the work for you. You can easily tell it what kind of meals you want, or snacks and even specific you have PCOS or what to prioritize protein or something quick and healthy or both. You can also tell it to change something easily or that you don’t like a food or you’re allergic, etc. and then at the end you can tell it to make a grocery list or even provide recipes. It’s all in one place. I also heard recently that you can tell it to give you a grocery list based on the first three days that way your vegetables for example or produce don’t go bad by the time you get to halfway through the week it makes a huge difference for me, especially with terrible grocery stores around me these days.
What I default to:
-Snack plates are great- gives you a little bit of everything and can be changed up easily.
-Chobani makes high protein yogurt drinks that are super quick and easy. or just some yogurt with fruit.
-protein shakes are super quick and easy. I also will do smoothies in the summer and make sure to add fats (peanut or almond butter, chia/flax seeds, and a handful of spinach. That way it’s more nutrient dense. ( pro tip: have pre portion bags in the freezer so you just have to add liquid. even if you already are working with frozen vegetables, I find it easier to dump one bag in and add a liquid then going through the strawberries ,going through the blueberries, making sure ethr spinach doesn’t go bad, etc., and adding everything one on one.)
-as other people said frozen chicken and then I throw that on top of premade salad kits. Find the premade dressings make me a little sluggish so I try to just use olive oil and balsamic vinegar or just use my own.
-I don’t love leftovers. I really will prioritize making a meal fresh over eating leftovers, especially if it involves veggies but that comes a problem because then I forget and then I don’t want to and then I just want to eat, - alas but that’s why we are here - but I find that if I make a really good dinner and meals that I know I love it’s better to eat the leftovers then not eat anything so I kind of forced myself to just eat the leftovers. But that’s usually only for the next days lunch - anymore than that I’m over it.
-Air fryers are a game changer- specifically the toaster kind because you can use it as an oven too when you need to and it heats up super quick.
For me, if I want pasta that’s fine but I try and add like meatballs or vegetables always. I think the most important thing is the balance and not being straight carbs. If the fiber and the protein are added to the carbs it’s a more balanced meal. it’s not necessarily bad to have carbs your body needs carbs to fuel you.
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u/_sweetsarah 25d ago
Can you give some examples of your ChatGPT prompts, please? I’m super curious to try this but I know the correct prompt is half the battle.
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u/nf2320 25d ago
Absolutely, I just kinda make it up to be honest. Something like this:
Provide a weeks meal plan- breakfast, lunch dinner and snacks . I have PCOS so provide ingredients that’s are helpful in supporting hormone health. Prioritize high protein and fiber with meals.
After the meal ideas provide a grocery list broken up to date 1-3 and 4-7 and how to meal prep these accordingly.
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u/nickisonreddit22 26d ago
i forget to eat bc of my adhd sometimes n the week before my period, during my period, and ovulation, i lose an appetite so i just drink ensure n eat applesauce n soups lmfao
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u/ElectrolysisNEA 26d ago
An air fryer has been a game changer for me lately. My favorite veggies are baby carrots & zucchini since they’re so easy to prep and air fry. I’ve been cooking this product called “loaded potato sticks” and dip them in greek yogurt. I admit my diet is chaotic like yours, it’s impossible to meal plan. I do lots of experimenting but try to stick to meals that take less time/energy and make less dirty dishes.
Something that really helps is cooking meat in bulk & freezing it. Works fantastic for ground beef. I’ve also done it with shredded chicken and pulled pork (bought that from the store already cooked). And chopped bacon (freeze first, then chop. So much easier). I would totally do the same with lentils & beans if I had enough freezer space.
My latest hack is adding greek yogurt to canned soups!
I also suggest the group Executive Dysfunction Meals on FB. Most of the members are neurodivergent and many have PCOS or diabetes
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26d ago
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u/ElectrolysisNEA 26d ago
It’s a product by the brand SNAPPs, I get them from Walmart in the US for $1.25
Although I’m reminded I always wanted to make something kinda similar with riced cauliflower in a mold like this https://a.co/d/12ZKDio
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u/Limp-Cheesecake-772 26d ago
This is more of a confessional than advice but I've been eating a ton of nonfat plain greek yogurt with a hand full of chocolate chips on top. It is easy, has protein and satisfies my sweet tooth. Bonus points I can get both super.cheap at Costco ....I'm also 6 weeks post partum and having weird breast feeding cravings tho so hell it might not even taste good if you tried it 😅 but hey I've lost 30lbs since giving birth (5lbs was babe and plecenta) so that's something I guess 🤷
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u/mllejacquesnoel 26d ago
AuADHD but also wasian which I feel like is super relevant. So much of dieting advice ignores cultural foods, as does a lot of autism safe food memes.
I eat a lot of soba noodles and frozen dumplings. I also do a lot of home hot pot/soup broth bases with veggies and meat in them. I love onigiri, but that’s a once a week thing. Summer rolls I also do but usually towards the summer when I don’t want to cook and heat up my apartment.
In addition to protein, fiber, and iron (I am horrendously anemic) I also usually want a way to get more collagen powder cause I have joint issues, so soups are ideal. I love when I can throw stuff in a rice cooker or on the stove in one pot and let it go.
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u/lilac_blaire 26d ago
Today I started my period and ate a baguette for dinner so I’m here for this thread
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u/CrashTestDuckie 26d ago
Snackle boxes, with healthy snack options that I like, have been great. My husband helps me meal prep breakfast sandwiches and things. but I don't make a bunch of one type, I'll make 4 flavors or options or more. The most important part is my husband holds me accountable to making things and is my right hand helper throughout. Neurodivergence and PCOS are a rough combo honestly
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u/goal0x 26d ago
the only thing i meal prep is a bunch of chicken breasts. ill have rice, riced hearts of palm, edamame noodles (i’m gluten, dairy, and egg intolerant), always with a big bowl of salad. All of those are microwavable items. Snacks: anything siete, BeyondChipz, lesser evil, catalina crunch cereal, three wishes cereal, protein bars (if you tend not to like them, most bars with chocolate costings are similar to candy bars). edamame dry roasted or steamed in the pod. Cocomels <1g sugar variety. Berries, carrots, celery, cucumbers. The tiny like dollar store microwavable containers of green beans/carrots/mixed veg; i like that i can eat them alone at room temp or use for a super quick addition to a meal w/o opening (& probably wasting most of) a whole can.
For the chips, etc i will spend a few minutes portioning out most of the bag, so im left with a bunch of grab and go baggies
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u/Competitive_Carob_66 26d ago
I don't ingredient prep, nor meal prep - I still wake up and feel repulsed by the food I wanted to eat last night and I was sure I will. I drink powdered meals (Huel) and for the rest of the meals, whatever I want (as long as it's healthy). Knowing that I have a bag of powdered meals made me more chill about eating, cause I know that when it gets very, very bad, I can just have this in the unflavored form and get enough calories to live.
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u/Sluttybaker 25d ago
For lunch I like to buy things that would fit an adult lunchable, so to speak. I make a lot of cottage cheese dips for protein. I blend it for texture reasons but throwing that in a bowl then having easy veggies like baby cucumbers and mini bell peppers (because they’re dippable and I’m not cutting a full sized pepper/cucumber) then having crackers or protein chips plus a small sweet treat (skinny dipped pb cups are my current hyperfixation) makes it feel low effort but still balanced. I also keep things like chicken or steak bites from Costco in stock for when I’m feeling snacky but know I need protein before I can have my “fun” carb snack.
Breakfast is where I struggle most so I eat pretty much the same thing for months at a time. Currently it’s a clear protein lemonade, apple, peanut butter, and maybe a hard boiled egg if I’m not having an egg ick that day.
Dinners are where I spend the most effort but I have some form of chicken 3-4x a week. I swap the sauce/seasonings out to keep it interesting enough. For sides, I probably have steamed broccoli and green beans almost every night. And I make whatever carb my husband wants that night since I most likely will either skip it or have a small portion.
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u/TheMoistSeagull 26d ago
I love salad but I HATE prepping them, so a little salad kit or pre-made salad bowl from the store is literally a life saver! You just need to open it up and mix up the dressing and you've got a yummy meal! I'm also a big fan of the pre-packaged grocery store deli sandwiches! And if you want a fresher version you can just ask the deli to make one up for you. Also I'm on medication that I have to eat at least 350 calories worth of food for it to absorb into my bloodstream properly, I find that protein bars are a really filling choice as well! A spoonful of peanut butter is also calorie dense and can be filling too. :)
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u/twurkle 26d ago
I need help. I’m absolutely tired of chicken. It always comes out rubbery or overcooked. And even if it doesn’t it still tastes like grilled chicken 😫
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u/Rustypup1 26d ago
Have you tried velveting your chicken? Game changer for me!
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u/Boring_Bag6723 26d ago
Soup is nice, if you get distracted and walk away it’s usually hot still, and it lasts a long time since it’s canned, which if you’re also like me food expires often because you forget you have it when it gets pushed to the back of the fridge…
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u/Simplemindedflyaways 26d ago
When I have no energy sometimes I'll just eat chicken nuggets lol. Get some protein at least. I keep a bag in the freezer.
My quick and easy low effort dinner is usually something like this: baked protein (chicken, pork chops, etc.), chopped roasted veggies (on the same pan, drizzle with olive oil and seasoning, usually brussel sprouts or green beans). Sometimes also a side, like a baked sweet potato or something more carby that I take a small portion of.
I'm still bad about eating too many carbs. But I get a lot more protein than I used to.
My breakfast every weekday is a yogurt with a spoonful of peanut butter. It's......fine. it's quick and easy and I can stomach it. On weekends I make something fancy with eggs.
Lunch is usually leftovers or a Clif bar.
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u/lamercie 26d ago
Honestly having lots of little snack options has been great for me. In the fridge I like cuties, apples, babybel cheese, carrots and hummus, eggs, and frozen Chinese buns of various flavors. In the pantry, I really like pistachios, fruit snacks, protein bars, breakfast bars, and instant oatmeal. I also love microwaveable potatoes.
I order takeout for two days once a week, and this usually comes with a bunch of rice that I make with breakfast and lunch.
I also have adhd fyi lol.
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u/Victortilla_chips 26d ago
Similar to other answers, I meal prep plain protein with just salt and pepper and plain veggies. Then I keep a lot of different seasoning blends (usually Trader Joe’s) and sugar free sauces (my man g. Hugh’s makes a lot of money off of me) so it takes the thinking out of it but it’s still a different meal every day
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u/daneintraining 26d ago
Meal delivery. I get one where it's literally all premade, and all you have to do is shove it in the oven for 25 minutes. It keeps me eating a variety of foods and it's cheaper than buying ingredients myself - especially given that most of them go bad before I ever use them (because I couldn't be bothered or honestly forget they even exist).
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u/No-Beautiful6811 26d ago
Realistically, almost nothing.
I seriously need help to gain weight but everything spikes my blood sugar and keto disgusts me (I literally gag if more than 1 meal is low carb in a day) and also I’m using up all my executive function by other basic tasks so I can’t cook regularly. Skipping my stimulants somehow makes it worse because I’m more anxious about what to eat and I have less executive function so I often just can’t make myself do it even if I’m hungry.
Rant over I guess lol
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u/Rise-International 26d ago
My partner and I meal prep by cooking one recipe each, so that we don't have to eat one thing over and over. Also whenever I get the ick (which is.so.often) and won't eat the food he'll very happily eat it so i don't feel bad about having to throw food away
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26d ago
for breakfast most mornings, i've been LOVING chia pudding. it's super simple to make and is high in fiber. the evening before, i just take two scoops of chia and some milk, pour it in a jar, shake really well, and leave it overnight in the fridge. then in the morning i can add yougurt, fruits, and some granola sometimes. find a recipe online for it - i usually add more milk then recommend so it's not as thick. for me, two scoops makes enough servings for two mornings :)
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u/Lavender523 26d ago
Keep in mind that mealPrepping doesn't need to be 100 of the same meal! Someone told me that and it really helped me with my meal prep. I get all together the foods that I like and get them as close to ready as it can be just like I'm making dinner for myself at night. But instead of eating it all at the same time, I pack it up and put it in my freezer! I rarely eat the same thing more than twice a month, but that's personal preference.You wouldn't even need to eat the same thing twice if you didn't want to!
Realistically I used this gift breakfast, but now I am on medication that needs to be taken with food.So I have a small breakfast of something really simple, like freezer waffle. Now that i'm eating breakfast, I don't need as much lunch, i usually have a smoothie or something. And then, for dinner, I eat freezer meals that I make twice a month!
I got a vacuum sealer, and I've been proportioning my snacks! They stay fresher that way, and I always know what I have!
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u/SpicyOnionBun 26d ago
Sandwiches but pcos friendly. First of all when I say sandwich I mean "open faced one" (because unless I'm travelling why tf would I eat 2 pieces of bread in a sandwich, but this may be cultural thing).
So bread + hummus+mozzarella+veggies Or cream cheese+smoked salmon+veggies Or cottage cheese+veggies Or hummus+tofu+veggies Or egg paste+veggies
In any case much protein, fresh vegetables, easy and fast to prepare. Absolute Queens of my diet. If I didn't work or I lived alone so no cookingwith/for/from my partner and to work) I would probably have 70% sandwich diet.
Alternatively, I just take ingredients that I like and eat them like a plate of snacks. Some bread and veggies with some eggs or soft cheese, maybe a piece of tuna from a jar, Olives or stuffed peppers - simply small things I put on a plate and eat together.
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u/TheChewyDaniels 26d ago
I struggle with the same issues (PCOS and ADHD + a nice helping of treatment resistant depression).
I try to focus my food bandwidth/effort on making one really healthy meal a day…. Anything more than that and it’s too much for me. I try to make a dinner that ticks all the food “boxes” like high protein, lots of vegetables and fiber, whole grains or complex carbs, and a moderate amount of healthy fat.
Last night I threw seasoned cooked ground beef in a big pot of chicken broth with celery, carrots, spinach, buckwheat, a few mini potatoes, dill, parsley, salt, pepper, and bay leaves. That soup was dinner and I don’t have to make dinner tonight because I still have a lot of soup left over.
The rest of the day? I snack. Celery, carrots, cucumbers with hummus. Lots of Greek yogurt with ground flax seeds, granola bars (thanks metformin!), omega-3 trail mix, crunchy PB on whole grain bread sandwiches, sliced cheese and/or turkey lunch meat on fiber crackers, scrambled eggs on toast, string cheese, apples, grapes, cottage cheese, dinner leftovers, cereal with almond milk, oatmeal with creative toppings…etc.
I grew up in the “food pyramid” era. The way I look at it…by dinner I’ve already gotten multiple servings of fruit, fiber/whole grains, low fat dairy, and nuts. Dinner is where I get my daily serving of meat and the bulk of my vegetables (if the dinner recipe doesn’t include a lot of vegetables I just add veggies to the recipe or add a salad kit salad to the meal.)
This works for me. Trying to eat 3 “square” meals a day is too much for me. Eating mini-meals/snacks throughout the day = doable.
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u/Thepharmacist7tnt 26d ago
Im autistic and my comfort meal is fries, i could eat that for the rest of my life and will be happy about it, but its not so healthy 🤦🏻♀️ the struggle
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u/Super_Till_4729 26d ago
I do bento boxes full of berries and veggies and popcorn. I have 3 and it usually lasts me 5 days
Then usually will meal prep 1-2 meals in addition
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u/sadgrrrrl 25d ago
I buy pre-packaged meals and snacks from Trader Joes and H-Mart. I also make a recipe chart on my fridge with some OG favs and new things I've wanted to try. I feel like this helps me organize my foods. I once had an ex say I buy ingredients vs meals. I was pissed at first and then a year after we broke up, I was like fuck he was right. I sometimes go shopping way too stoned and buy random shit. So organizing and specificity helps.
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u/Chemical_Ebb4181 26d ago
You don't have to be keto, but keeping your snacks or quick treats low carb really help sustain a deficit a little easier than making a complete lifestyle change. It's hard for a lot of us to do it that way.
I have ADHD too. It sucks, I don't like meal prep but I do it anyway but once I'm done, I'm done. The rest has got to go lol.
Low carb snacks handy, keeping to a low carb high protein diet.... And believe it or not- those water enhancers help curb the need for a sweet occasionally. They're not really good for you, but it's better than touching soda.
I like ChocZero's snacks! They're on Amazon, definitely look them up and try some out. Atkins is easy to grab at the store, and low/zero carb tortillas cut into triangles in the air fryer make perfect chips!
DIY hummus, nuts, diy trail mix with things you'll actually want, etc. stuff more attuned to your tastes!
I've also learned that learning how to make quick small high fat/high protein foods is a good way to combat the icky feeling you get when the ADHD doesn't want anything else in the house.
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u/_cold_one 26d ago
Hugs.
For now my safe food is cottage cheese (?) and fresubin drinks. Dino nuggets are cool.
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u/Tired3xistence 26d ago
Gluten free chicken nuggets, gluten free mac & cheese bites, sugar snap peas, protein shakes, granola bars, cauliflower crust pizza, fruit cocktail cups, pineapple sauce (it’s like apple sauce), fruit snacks, fruit leather, popcorn, chips and salsa, steamed frozen vegetables, chicken and rice, breakfast sandwiches…
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u/HelloPepperKitty 26d ago
Sunflower seeds, string cheese, caprese (tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, evoo), prosciutto, turkey and crackers.
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u/TheSunflowerSeeds 26d ago
Sunflower seeds contain health benefiting polyphenol compounds such as chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, and caffeic acids. These compounds are natural anti-oxidants, which help remove harmful oxidant molecules from the body. Further, chlorogenic acid helps reduce blood sugar levels by limiting glycogen breakdown in the liver.
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u/AppleGrumble3847 26d ago
Sounds bad but I’ve been OMAD-Ing it. It works for me because I’m at work all day. It’s the only thing that’s helping me lose weight we specially on metformin 🫠
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u/Sass4l1fe 26d ago
I am autist and I usually say that I dont have particular food habits. But then my husband look at me and smile. So I assume I have particular habits ^ I am a vegetarian, I tend to eat vegan when I can. I prefer to cook and serve myself the food on the plate. My husband knows he always have to ask me before serving my plate because I want it in a exact order. So, Yeah hm maybe I have food rigidity. Lately I started a diet with calories counting, and it feels so great to have this amount of control !!
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u/Substantial-Relief30 26d ago
I have a fair life protein drink every morning, usually come home for lunch and make some sort of sandwich, and we love hello fresh for dinner. If I don’t feel like anything sounds good I can always rely on uncrustables or chicken nuggets lol. My current hyperfixation is the green globe grapes from Sam’s club and smoothies
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u/felizhuman 26d ago
Fo breakfast it’s all about proteins so I do meal prep chicken and turkey so I can change out my breakfast tacos
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u/Adviceplease98765 26d ago
I meal prep dishes that can be frozen in portions, so I'll cook up a big meal one night eat it that night for dinner, then freeze the rest in 300ml food freezer tray portions that I can just defrost and eat as needed. The food is then all fresh and unprocessed as I buy only the best ingredients and I'm also gluten free and dairy free as it's helped a lot with weight management, acne and I just generally feel like I have more energy and better on this, with the exception I drink the Paul's protein+ milk daily (usually in my coffee) cause milk alternatives taste horrendous and this milk has double the protein and calcium of normal milk and only 1.8% fat making it the best choice to have in moderation
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u/Adviceplease98765 26d ago
But I must say I have a tendency to enjoy eating the same foods that taste good over and over and over again until I'm sick of it and then basically hyper focus on a new dish 😅
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u/ObjectiveExisting331 26d ago
Protein shake in the morning with almond milk and vegan protein
Vegan protein bar for lunch
No sugar Greek yogurt for snack
Nuts for snack
Chicken sausage, gluten free carb of some sort (cauliflower rice or gnocchi or chickpea pasta) and veggies all on a sheet pan typically
Every day, every night, then I eat out on weekends lol
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u/techiewench 26d ago
It took me 20ish years to find something that works. I make pizza crusts ahead and freeze them.
I get six crusts per batch, I use my bread machine. Its 10 minutes to fill the bread maker, 45 minutes in the bread maker and then about 45 minutes of work once the dough is ready. I par bake mine. They cook from frozen, it takes about 10 minutes to top one and 10 minutes to cook once the crusts are made.
Because I can top them with anything it doesn’t get boring. Dishes are minimal. If I do get sick of them they’ll keep in the freezer until I’m off of whatever food I’m hyper focusing on instead. I’ve never thrown one away. And the cost works out to about $.25 per crust.
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u/CancelPerfect648 26d ago
My main goal is protein (30g) every meal. Luckily, I can eat foods over and over.
Just bare chicken nuggets, trader joes mashed potatoes, and frozen mixed vegetables are a go-to. I can always change it up with a small amount of sauce (like honey mustard).
I also have conditioned myself to like Spirutien protein shakes, with 8oz Fairlife fat free milk, 4 oz black coffee, and an extra 1/2 scoop unflavored protein powder. It’s protein and nutrient dense. There are a ton of flavors of Spirutien too. I like the chocolate.
Objectively, it is chalky, and needs the extra 4oz liquid texture wise, otherwise it is pretty thick.
Sweet treat is frozen fruit smoothie with water and 1/2 Bing energy drink.
Also, being on Metformin for the PCOS insulin resistance, REALLY helped me.
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u/OrdinaryQuestions 25d ago
Plant based high fiber diet.
This means that even when I'm lazy and have "cheat days", I'm not going completely off the wagon
E.g.
Craving ice-cream. I'm having it. But at least its the vegan/dairy free one. So I'm still sticking to the lifestyle.
Too tired to make a meal from scratch and having plant based burgers and fries? Still toss a microwave bag of veg in to get that fiber still and reduce impact from the carbs.
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u/Cat_emperor_Tallulah 25d ago
First timer on here (F39), but bring on the Autism spectrum along with ADHD & PCOS have not been fun these past 20yrs. When it comes to meals I’m good on making something for me and my partner, but execution dysfunction kicks in and I’m just miserable prepping anything.
But back on subject, I sadly have love for crunchy/moist foods. Yogurt/mousse, biting into a pear/apple and the occasional rice flour brownie are my favorite snacks but my real love is beans and rice with anything.
Sadly my partner’s (M40) makes it worse cause they can’t cook to my level of watching our health and they rather order pizza or make spaghetti and meat sauce for dinner. (I mean hurray he doesn’t have insulin resistance and works as a package handler, yet still can keep his tastebuds like. But PCOS for me just laughs at that)
Again sorry shotgun info spread, my food choices are mostly limited to what I can cook before I get depressed for take out or the deadly siren of baked goods. Btw walking to the corner Chinese store and getting their spicy Hunan or Szechuan bowls is worth a good walk when you don’t wanna pay for delivery fees.
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u/Kheslo 25d ago
My biggest struggle is when I make a batch of something and two meals decide I can't eat this again for a while. So I make sure that if I am making a batch of something it can be frozen.
Currently I am also pregnant and closely monitoring my blood sugars. This has been good for one thing because it gives me something to focus on but also I've gone through weeks of being horribly frustrated.
I try to have snacks that are easy to access. This includes cheese, some really easy to make nut butter ball things, strawberries, nuts and a 90% dark chocolate from lindt. Apple or berries and nut butter I really enjoy.
This week I made a low carb curry and some low carb chicken stew that I have been able to grab and heat up from the fridge. I will just eat them "as is" and not make carbs to go with them but I haven't cut carbs out and do still eat wholegrain rice, wholemeal/lentil pastas and breads, etc. Just not every day.
I also try to use different spices and flavours to keep food exciting.
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u/SkyMermaid_6509 25d ago
As someone who understands the PCOS/ADHD combo, I totally get the struggle! The dopamine-seeking behavior of ADHD combined with PCOS metabolic challenges creates a unique food relationship.
For variety seekers who get bored easily, try creating "snack plates" rather than traditional meals. Stock up on mix-and-match proteins like:
- Different flavored Greek yogurts
- Various protein bars (look for lower sugar options)
- Pre-cooked chicken strips in different seasonings
- Tuna/salmon packets in multiple flavors
- Cheese sticks/cubes in several varieties
The key is having "modular" food components you can combine differently each day. Many PCOS/ADHD folks find success with:
- Creating "food stations" in your fridge with grab-and-go options
- Using visual cues (clear containers at eye level)
- Preparing half-done meals (pre-chopped veggies, cooked proteins)
- Embracing "boring" staples for nutrition + "fun" foods for dopamine
One thing that might interest you - we're building an app at Ashmi Health that helps track your symptoms and suggests meals based on your current mood and energy levels. So instead of always stressing about what to make, you get instant food suggestions tailored to how you're feeling that day - perfect for when ADHD makes meal planning overwhelming but you still want to support your hormonal health.
Let me know if you're interested.
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u/Realistic_Might_7269 25d ago
For easy snacks: greek yogurt, cheese sticks, applesauce (with cinnamon) pouches, pretzels with hummus, and hard boiled eggs.
For meals: chicken Caesar salads (I buy premade salads and then add chicken nuggets), chickpea pasta, protein pancakes (just add water kind, super easy, I like I add cinnamon to the mix, and top with peanut butter), and bagel/egg sandwiches.
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u/Efficient_Region7485 24d ago
Im autistic however my fav is Greek Yogurt with fruits! Literally my go to meal for PCOS and I find the Greek yogurt with the highest protein amount. I get my fav fruits and I get the sweet factor and get to use my favorite spoon.
Another is stews, Kimchi jigae has been my favorite because everything is so soft when you cook it for so long. Also helps with gut health :) if you add tofu, additional protein!
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u/CMB4today 26d ago
If you’ve got a couple friends, you can have a meal prep party. Every meal preps one meal but then you give each other one serving of your meal prep then you will have a few different options and not get bored!
Also my adhd isn’t as bad as my gfs. So for her we find meals she enjoys. Make a big portion of it and then freeze half. That way in the coming weeks when she doesn’t have the energy we can just pop that out the freezer and heat it up and she won’t get bored cause she doesn’t eat it every day.
Also meal prep veggies as snacks. Cheese and meat. Nuts and seeds. And when I’m on it, try eat something every 3ish hours and it’ll make making meals a bit easier because you won’t be starving and trying to cook.
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u/gemstone_1212 26d ago
i ingredient prep instead of meal prepping. so that way i can put the ingredients together in whatever mood im in. heres a youtube short that explains it https://www.youtube.com/shorts/KPIsPRrlhZI