Ask for an appetite eating plan
Not ratedADHD evidence
Tell your child's clinician about appetite or weight loss, then plan food.
Start with the time you have
1 minute
Name one meal your child manages well and one they struggle with.
5 minutes
List recent eating changes and the foods your child currently accepts.
15 minutes
Prepare a message for the prescriber or dietitian about appetite, eating times and weight concerns.
A plan
Prepare a food review
- Describe the appetite change and foods currently accepted.
- Agree a tailored eating plan with the care team.
- Review whether intake and growth concerns improve.
How sure the science is
Not rated, ADHD evidence
- No pooled trials to rate.
- This rests on single studies, expert consensus or clinical practice.
- Measured in people with ADHD.
NHS clinical nutrition advice for appetite problems in ADHD; no measured effect of the food-support plan or matching EBI row.
The number, drawn
An NHS trust: a dietician can give tailored advice if weight is a concern
Why it matters
- ADHD medicines can reduce appetite, and NHS trust guidance describes how low intake can affect a child's growth and nutrition.
- A clinician or dietitian can help you pick smaller meals, snacks or more nourishing foods when they fit.
- This is practical help with a medicine-related eating problem, not evidence that a particular food treats ADHD.
How to do it
- Tell the prescriber about eating less or a weight change now, instead of waiting for the next routine review.
- Bring examples of meals your child manages, and the times when eating goes better.
- Ask whether a dietitian can help plan meals and snacks that suit your child.
- Leave medicine decisions with the prescriber.
- Weight loss or growth worries need a clinical review.
- Any change to medicines or their timing must be agreed with the prescriber.
Putting it into practice
In real life
- Tell the clinician that lunch often comes home untouched while supper is easier.
- Ask whether small portions of nourishing foods would fit your child's needs.
Watch out for
- Common mistakeBigger portions can feel like too much. Talk about smaller, nourishing options.
- Common mistakePressure or punishment around food can make meals feel bad. Keep mealtimes supportive and ask for help.
Trusted guides
How we rated it
- Evidence grade
- C Small or mixed studies, expert consensus or clinical practice. Worth knowing, not worth betting on.
- The number
- An NHS trust: a dietician can give tailored advice if weight is a concern (Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, 2024)
- Benefit
- 69/100 An editorial priority for the general list, weighted by certainty. It does not predict what will happen for you.
- Effort
- Some effort
Sources
- Tier 1 guidelineManaging low weight and weight lossTees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, 2024
- Tier 1 guidelineADHD in children and young peopleNHS, 2025
- General information about ADHD, not a diagnosis or an individual treatment plan.
- Tailoring changes the order of suggestions; it does not assess you.
- Medication decisions belong with you and a qualified clinician.