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How do you handle overeating caused by boredom and innatentiveness? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 2 days ago by zzffyfajzkzhnsweqm@sh.itjust.works to c/adhd@lemmy.world

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I figured my overeating might be caused by my undiagnosed inattentive ADHD I have been suspecting to have it.

Like with other habits I try to make any plan or strategy falls apart in max few weeks. But I need a long term solution. However I have never thought about it as caused by ADHD. But When I think about it, I overeat only when I am bored.

During meals I eat normal portions. But when I am bored I will be eating small chunks of food every time I visit fridge. I do not stop that because of my inattentiveness I do not even know I ate a lot. While watching a movie I get bored - even if it is interesting and I am very invested in it. I get some snack and I will eat a whole bag not even knowing when that happened. This happens even if snack was some special offer that tasted bad.

Few examples I get bored and overeating:

watching a movie - somehow movie is not enough stimuli for me
after I eat my meal and I wait for others to finish (I eat exactly as twice as fast as my wife)
when I am visiting someone and there is a food in front of me (conversation somehow is also not enough stimuli)
random parts of the day - usually if I have to wait.

No standard recommender diet practices worked in the long run (portion control, mindful eating, intermittent fasting, healthy eating, building a healthy lifestyle/routine...) Especially those based on building routine failed the most.

Do you have similar issues? Do you have a strategy that works in the long run? Have you successfully substituted eating for other stimuli?

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[-] RvTV95XBeo@sh.itjust.works 5 points 2 days ago

A couple of people mentioned sparkling water, and I want to join the train.

I got an off-brand sodastream. That and some Aarke flavor drops (https://aarke.us/collections/flavor-drops), and I have an infinite supply of la croix-esq bubble water.

I keep 2 bottles of (fridge-filtered) tap water in the fridge at all times and when I get the "I'm bored and don't know what else I want" pangs, I go there first.

I also generally try drinking more water, especially at the start of a meal, to push back against the tendency to over eat.

Finally there's the "just buy healthier snacks" but I struggle with that one the most

this post was submitted on 22 Aug 2025

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