The Myth: Vegan & ADHD Not Compatible!
Yes, it’s a myth! That vegan diet not suitable for managing ADHD symptoms.
Nutritionists and physicians often recommend people with ADHD to have balanced diet but with minimal carbs and high protein portions.
Animal meat meets this criterion of high protein and usually preferred as suggested.
But what’s surprising is not lack of knowledge in general public that there are better options for high protein in vegetarian diet, but because “Old habits die hard”.
It’s difficult to change our habits even if it’s best for us.
The plant-based protein sources beat animal protein sources hands down by any means whether the variety of sources or the amount available.
Also, the plant-based protein sources are loaded with lots of minerals and anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals which work synergistically.
I have asked ChatGPT to give me top 30 protein sources from animals and plants and it spewed out the following table (edited).
I don’t expect you to go through the table in detail and I’ll explain the same below.
A large variety of plant-based protein sources are available readily and in fact they outperform in comparison to animal-based protein sources. The highest amount protein in any source is from plant-based only, i.e. from soyabeans (36 g/100g or 1.27 oz/3.53 oz) and the products derived from it.
Further, a greater number of plant-based protein sources with higher amount of protein are available than that of animals.
For example, the plant sources (28 numbers) having more than 15 g of protein for 100 g of the source material outnumber the animal sources (20 numbers).
What is surprising is dairy milk turned out to be least animal source for protein with only 0.1 oz for 3.5 oz (3g/100 g) of milk which is touted as the go-to-for protein food in TV ads.
So, any person including neurodivergent persons with ADHD can be vegan and still get good amount of protein from plant sources. We only need information how to make them palatable for our taste buds.
Again, taste is a relative subject and what’s tasty for me is not tasty for another member within the family and forget about others.
One cautionary note is, for some ADHD persons soyabeans, dairy products, and wheat products are allergic and so one should try first a small portion of the dishes prepared from them before having regularly.
My son who has ADHD and 31 years old, is allergic to many protein sources like milk, wheat, and soyabean. So, we avoid giving the products prepared from them to him.
Except wheat, soyabean and dairy based products, he gets his protein from rest of the plant sources in the above table.
Thus, vegan ADHD persons can still enjoy a lot of variety of plant-based foods but should be careful in choosing their protein sources.
Amongst the macronutrients I have covered so far about carbohydrates sources and now protein sources in this post for vegans.
In the coming posts I’ll mention about kinds of plant-based fats or oils which can be used by ADHD persons.
Until then,
Cheers
Vara
PS: Hello anti-vegans please don’t come pouncing upon me! I am not against animal protein and its totally an individual’s choice. I respect that. I am only giving options for the people who don’t want their protein from animal sources.
