Ditch The “Girl Dinner” – Three ADHD Hacks That Changed My Meals (And My Weight) Forever

Ever had one of those ‘Aha!’ moments that felt more like an ‘Oh, duh!’? That was me, at 32, realizing that my lifelong quirks, brain fog, and eternal fight with the scales weren’t just me being lazy. 

Hi, I’m Emily, a 32-year-old adult with ADHD. Who knew? Well, besides my boyfriend, therapist, and anyone who’s spent more than five minutes with me.

Diving deep into ADHD articles, I learned that there are over 11 million people in the U.S. who struggle with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD¹. And, shockingly, many of us were only diagnosed recently.

Beyond the quirks, there was my weight. And it’s been a rollercoaster. I’d shed some pounds, only to get it all back a few weeks later. I was tired and the cycle was maddening. If I wasn’t actively trying to lose, I was gaining. 

With my diagnosis, the pieces started fitting. 

But before I go any further, however, ADHD has this fun quirk where writing and talking about something you’re passionate about can turn into rambling. So, heads up, this might get lengthy.

Ironically, that same ADHD means maintaining focus on long articles becomes quite the challenge. So, if you’re trailing off, feel free to click on the contents – whether you want to dive into my relationship with food & “girl dinner” saga, the three kitchen hacks that changed my life, or the personalized plan that made me forget I even had ADHD, it’s all here!

My battle against the scales and my ADHD revelation

Years ago, even before I knew much about ADHD, I’d catch my reflection and think, “Why does it feel like there’s an invisible barrier stopping me from reaching my goals?”

No matter how much effort I poured in, it felt like my own mind was working against me.

I have always been a bit… different. Big procrastinator, attention issues, weight issues, zero time management, no eye for detail, always unfocused and forgetful… I always said I could do anything if it had a tight deadline and dire consequences.

I’m basically just doing the side quests instead of the main story.

And, oh, the weight. Years of dieting, meal prepping, and intense workouts had left me drained. I felt like I was fighting my own nature, and it completely destroyed me love for cooking.

Just thinking about those days tires me out. But I managed to turn it all around.

When my ever-observant partner first suggested I might have ADHD, I considered it. And then, my therapist echoed his sentiments. And when two of the most important people in your life suggest the same thing, you listen.

So, off I went to a psychiatrist. She listened, truly listened. “Emily,” she said, “your struggles with weight, anxiety, and impulse control? Classic untreated ADHD.” Mind. Blown.

With the meds she prescribed, things started to click. It wasn’t just the “why-is-my-phone-in-the-freezer” moments that reduced. I felt more like myself.

But pills weren’t the magic solution. I still needed structure, a plan, and motivation.

So I embarked on my journey to reclaim my health. And let me tell you, it’s been quite the ride.

Fast forward, and I’m feeling brighter, lighter by 20 lbs, and I’ve leveled up my kitchen game.

But more on that later. For now, let’s dive into the chaotic world of ADHD and food.

“Girl dinner,” because sometimes adulting is just too hard

Ever found yourself going through a random assortment of snacks, calling it dinner, and thinking: “this is very responsible”? Well, then welcome to “girl dinner.” 

And if you haven’t heard of it, well, you’re in for a treat.

I still remember the days I’d effortlessly cook up fancy dishes for my folks. Those were the days. Now, after a long, exhausting day, just choosing what to cook stresses me out. 

So, what’s the deal with “girl dinner,” and why do I feel personally attacked? Just imagine you’ve had a long, tiring day and don’t feel like cooking.

So, you grab whatever’s available – cheese, crackers, maybe a glass of wine if it’s a good day. All done! Dinner is served. 

Or, as the New York Times² so eloquently puts it, it’s “no preparation, just vibes.”

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Isn’t this just… snacking?” Well, yes and no. Bon Appétit³ says it’s like an “aesthetically pleasing Lunchable.” But it’s not for kids: it’s a treat for people who can’t be bothered. What a mood.

And hey, ever asked Spain about tapas? Snacking can be an art form. Some of these plates are meticulously crafted charcuterie boards and bento boxes.

But not everything is nice and aesthetics. Most of this “girl dinner” fad is just chaos food. 

Emily, 2023 (it’s me right now)

And our modern culture doesn’t help. With the convenience of ordering apps and the hustle of daily life, it’s easy to fall into the trap of skipping meals or opting for quick fixes. 

But while this started as a fun way to share low-effort meals, there’s a bit of a dark cloud over this trend. Some people argue it’s glamorizing not eating enough. 

And sure, on a high-anxiety day, a “girl dinner” might feel better than eating nothing. But is it really? As Women’s Health⁴ points out, it’s all a joke until young, impressionable teens start thinking this is the gold standard for meals. “I feel so seen!!” Yeah, me too, but also a little concerned.

But, as with everything on the internet, if this silly trend is making you rethink your relationship with food, maybe, just maybe, it’s time to rethink on that. 

My therapist commented on my unhealthy relationship with food – especially the ‘girl dinners’ – and she suggested I see a nutritionist.

Turns out, a personalized nutritionist’s touch is actually a game-changer

Stepping into the nutritionist’s office was like walking into a confession booth. As she meticulously went through my habits, the “girl dinner” trap became evident.

She was brilliant, connecting my ADHD and my love for cooking. The plan she crafted was perfectly tailored to my needs. 

She even gave me a little shopping list so I would avoid impulse purchases.

For a month, I was the poster child for healthy eating. Fresh, home-cooked meals, balanced nutrition, and a newfound energy. I felt invincible.

But, as with all good things, there was a catch. Once the month ended, the price tag was something I couldn’t afford. 

And doing it all by myself again just led me to mini meltdowns before every meal.

But here’s the thing: that month taught me the power of personalized nutrition. 

It wasn’t about generic plans or trendy fads. It was about understanding my body, my needs, and getting a plan that catered to that.

The challenge now was finding an affordable solution that harnessed the power of personalized nutrition without burning a hole in my pocket.

And what I discovered was nothing short of perfection.

No more chaos cooking: Three kitchen hacks that changed everything

Ah, cooking. My once-beloved hobby turned into “What on earth do I make now?” and instant ramen.

But thanks to my nutritionist and a deep dive into ADHD forums, I stumbled upon three not-so-secret secrets that made me fall back in love with the kitchen. 

1. Meal Planning: The power of listing everything.

The nutritionist’s plan came with this neat shopping list, and after binge-watching some YouTubers, I got the hint: meal planning is a life savior. This not only gave me a clear culinary path but also saved money and kept my veggies from going moldy. 

At first, planning felt like a chore. But soon, it became a game. I’d factor in lazy snack days, leftover nights, dinners out with my boyfriend or family, and even those “I’m ordering takeout” moments. 

Over time, what started as a hassle turned into a fun weekly ritual, making grocery shopping a focused task.

2. Easy Go-To Meals: If your lazy days happen more often than not…

I changed “girl dinners” for quick, no-fuss meals that even I couldn’t mess up. Things with ingredients that you’d always have in the fridge, also with minimal effort.

After a quick web hunt, ADHD-friendly meals include: stir-fries, smoothies, overnight oats, tortillas, one-pot pasta, even those “complete meal” protein bars…

And yes, even a “girl dinner” – but make it healthy. Small, controlled snacks, maybe a charcuterie board with a slice of whole wheat bread here, a chunk of cheese there, a generous scoop of hummus… anything goes!

3. Team Up & Track: Accountability goes a long way.

The one thing that helped me with just giving up altogether was friends and family. Seems silly, but little reminders and invitations go a long way – my boyfriend often chimes in with “Hey, Em, how about we cook together?” Their support just pushes me to go further.

To help with accountability, keeping track of what you’re eating is key. Planners are ADHD favs, so why not go one step further? An app that gives you recipes, logs your meals, keeps you motivated, tracks macros, and makes you accountable… sounds ideal to me.

How I found my own Perfect Body: The one solution that worked

You know those times when it feels like the universe is giving you a sign? I was deep into my 83rd “quick & easy healthy recipes” search when this ad for Perfect Body pops up. 

I clicked, half-expecting another gimmicky diet plan that promised the moon and delivered… well, boiled broccoli and boring salads.

But their approach was tailored, which I liked. 

The first step was filling out a quiz. It asked about my food preferences, health issues, body type… if I had time to exercise, how long I had to meal prep… basically all the questions the nutritionist had asked me.

They gave me a health forecast and then created my plan. Super simple.

And to my surprise, the Perfect Body meal plan was different. It was like they peeked into my chaotic, ADHD brain.

Time to ditch the “girl dinners” and win against the scale

After years of battling with my relationship with food, here was a program that served up nutritionist-approved meal plans tailored just for me. 

No more “girl dinners” or last-minute takeouts. They made my life simpler, healthier, and so so tasty.

And cheaper than my nutritionist – literally the price of a coffee a day.

I was dreading the idea of planning meals, but the app did everything for me: what to eat every day for every meal from over 1,000 recipes, automatic shopping lists, and no need to count calories or obsess over macros.

And if I didn’t like it, I would just swap it. That easy!

I had my meal-prep days down, and some of the recipes took less time than deciding what movie to watch. And they were actually good – flavorful and healthy!

They also threw in 24/7 expert support and all kinds of trackers to monitor my progress. It’s like having a dedicated nutritionist without the constant appointments and bills.

The biggest thing was the physical and mental changes. Beyond the mirror showing a leaner me and the scales dropping those 20 lbs, there was a newfound clarity that had me feeling less like a ball of confusion and hyperactiveness.

So, Perfect Body should be called Perfectly Surprised This Actually Worked Body. If it can turn a “girl dinner” ADHD craze into a meal-planning heaven, there’s hope for us all.

This is the culinary roadmap every ADHD brain needs.

And here’s a little treat: They’re giving away a free weight loss forecast for a limited time, just for letting me share my story!