What Foods Should I Eat or Avoid While Taking ADHD Medication?

Suppose you, or your child, are diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). If this happens, your healthcare provider will advise you on managing it. This may be through therapy — like behavioral therapy or family therapy — and/or by providing medications.

Although it may not seem like a direct treatment option, a healthy diet is also an important part of an ADHD treatment plan. Diet may affect certain ADHD symptoms. Some foods and drinks may also alter ADHD medication effectiveness. 

Here we’ll talk about diet and ADHD medications — what to consider, what to avoid, and what you should know.

How does diet affect children with ADHD?

Having a healthy, balanced diet is important for a healthy life. Many foods can affect energy and concentration levels. So certain food choices may be better options than others for people with ADHD.   

Studies have shown that children with ADHD benefit from a healthy diet. This would consist of foods like:  

• Whole grains

• Fruits

• Vegetables

• Low-fat proteins, like soy, quinoa, and beans

• Essential fatty acids, like fish, nuts, and seeds 

Processed foods, artificial products, and refined carbohydrates like bread and cereal should be limited. These foods may worsen the ability to concentrate. 

Does diet affect adults with ADHD?

ADHD affects both children and adults. Some adults may feel it’s difficult to get organized or complete daily tasks.  

Meal planning and cooking are healthy lifestyle choices. But they can be hard for adults affected by ADHD. Making a meal requires many skills, including time management, preparation, and the ability to follow many steps. Some people with ADHD may decide to order food or eat at a restaurant out of frustration or impatience. 

Unfortunately, takeout and restaurant meals often have added sugar and artificial dyes. These added ingredients may make ADHD symptoms worse for some people. But this relationship isn’t proven. 

Therapy and medication are the most effective treatments for ADHD. But eating regular, healthy meals and avoiding alcohol can help manage ADHD symptoms.

Can you control ADHD with certain foods?

The science behind the effect of food on behavior has been studied for many years. Yet, research has not clearly identified an “ADHD diet.” Studies continue to search for foods that may help control ADHD.

But there’s one diet that’s the subject of quite a bit of interest. The “few-foods diet” for ADHD removes one or more foods in your diet.

The belief is that certain foods may cause or worsen ADHD symptoms. So removing problematic foods might help to improve symptoms. In the “few-foods diet,” parents limit a child’s diet to only a few recommended foods. They then reintroduce foods over a few weeks. This may help parents determine whether certain foods worsen their child’s ADHD.

Studies have examined the effects of eliminating many ingredients, including:

• Artificial food color

• Sugar

• Artificial sweeteners

• Common food allergens

But only a small number of children with ADHD actually benefit when food additives or common food allergens are eliminated from their diets. It’s important to remember that careful research has not supported this approach as a form of treatment. 

You should talk with your child’s healthcare provider or dietician about a diet plan that may help support your child’s physical and emotional well-being.

What types of medications usually treat ADHD?

There are two types of medications available to treat ADHD: stimulants and non-stimulants. 

Stimulants raise levels of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a brain chemical that helps improve attention and motivation. Most stimulants are available in immediate-release (IR) or extended-release (ER) forms. These medications are effective at lessening ADHD symptoms in both children and adults. 

Non-stimulant medications affect the brain differently than stimulants. They may be used when stimulants don’t work well or have undesirable side effects.

There are many stimulant medications. Amphetamine salts and methylphenidate are two common ones. They’re both available as generic medications, but they also have many brand names.

Common brand names of amphetamine salts are Adderall, Dyanavel XR, and Evekeo. Common brand names of methylphenidate are Concerta, Daytrana, and Ritalin. Stimulants that only have brand names, such as Vyvanse (lisdexamfetamine), are also used frequently. Stimulants also come in many forms. This includes oral pills, oral liquids, and skin patches, to name a few.

If stimulant medications aren’t an option, non-stimulants are also available. Common non-stimulant ADHD medications are atomoxetine (Strattera), guanfacine ER (Intuniv), and clonidine ER (Kapvay). These are all oral pills.

Deciding which ADHD medication is best for your child will depend on your child’s age and symptoms. Some ADHD medications might not be a good fit for your child because they may have negative side effects. While different, both stimulant and non-stimulant medications have side effects.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that ADHD medication doses are adjusted to find the right balance between benefits and side effects. Parents should work with their child’s healthcare provider to find the medication that works best for their child.

Does diet affect ADHD medications?

Your diet can affect the amount of acid in the stomach and intestines. This can affect how well the body absorbs ADHD medications like Adderall. 

What foods or drinks should I avoid while taking ADHD medication?

To avoid raising acid levels, the following acidic foods and drinks should be used in moderation, if possible:

• Fruit juice

• Citrus fruits

• Foods high in Vitamin C (e.g., red peppers, strawberries, broccoli)

You should also consume drinks with caffeine in moderation. Another source of caffeine is chocolate, especially dark chocolate. Side effects like higher heart rate, nervousness, and trouble sleeping may occur when drinking too much coffee or tea.

Can my diet affect how well my ADHD medications work?

Your diet can affect how well your ADHD medications work. When you eat or drink acidic foods or drinks, the level of acid in your digestive system goes up. This can lower the blood levels and effectiveness of amphetamines.  

Extra acid prevents your body from absorbing as much amphetamines. This means there may be lower levels of medication in your bloodstream. Lower medication levels could mean worse ADHD symptoms.

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Written by:

Nikki Javit, PharmD

Nikki Javit, PharmD, is a clinical pharmacist with certifications in international travel medicine, immunization delivery, and pharmacogenomics. She received her bachelor’s of science in biology from Indiana University Bloomington and her doctor of pharmacy degree from Butler University.

Edited by:

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS

Joshua Murdock, PharmD, BCBBS, is a licensed pharmacist in Arizona, Colorado, and Rhode Island. He has worked in the pharmacy industry for more than 10 years and currently serves as a pharmacy editor for GoodRx.

Reviewed by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

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