Katzensprung Kitchen

For years, I struggled with having a relationship with breakfast.

Countless days of breakfast drinks, instant noodles, a sad piece of bread here and there, cake slices, sometimes a hearty serving of rice and protein came by and I still didn’t see the benefit of starting my day with a proper breakfast. Up until recently I chanced upon doing intermittent fasting (which, in the long run, left me a) snacking at 10am, or b) feeling cranky or moody).

Receiving my ADHD diagnosis this year made me rethink breakfast. For ADHDers, a balanced breakfast packed with protein, carbs, and fat is important.

• Protein: helps with dopamine and norepinephrine production, and helps you stay full
• Carbs: There are two forms of carbs – simple and complex. For ADHDers, complex carbs are preferred because they offer more nutritional value (fibre, vitamins, and minerals) than simple carbs.
• Fats: Healthy fats are needed in this context! Olive oil, even nuts and seeds provide healthy fats.

Finding this one out and learning more about the importance of breakfasts in an ADHDer’s life made me appreciate how it supports me day to day. Having a proper, balanced breakfast lifts my mood, keeps me active and full, and prepares me for the day.

The Breakfast in Question

The picture above was my breakfast from two weeks ago: a piece of Liège waffle and a piece of protein bread topped with make-ahead simple beef stir-fry and cheese, partnered with a mug of water and a mug of green tea. Not a good look if you ask me, but still scrumptious. (Yes, I know that the Liège waffle isn’t a healthy choice, but let me have it. It was a Sunday.)