I know this might sound ridiculous, but some days I genuinely forget to eat. Not in the “oops I skipped lunch” kind of way. I mean full-on, didn’t realize I was hungry until my hands were shaking at 4:00pm. And if you have ADHD like me, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about.

Let’s break it down—because forgetting to eat isn’t just about being busy. For many of us with ADHD, it’s a complicated mess of time blindness, hyperfocus, low interoception, executive dysfunction, and sometimes… side effects from things we do take to take care of ourselves.

The ADHD-Hunger Disconnect

If you’ve ever gone hours without food and only noticed because you suddenly felt dizzy, irritable, or like you could fight a bear just to get a granola bar—you’re not alone.

People with ADHD often have trouble with something called interoception, which is just a fancy word for the ability to notice what’s going on inside our bodies. Hunger? Thirst? Tiredness? Yeah, we tend to miss those signals until they’re screaming at us.

A 2025 study published on PubMed found that folks with ADHD have reduced interoceptive accuracy—meaning we don’t always feel hunger cues until we’re way past empty.

Young adult with ADHD working intently on a laptop in a shared workspace, potentially experiencing hyperfocus while forgetting to eat or take breaks.

Hyperfocus + Time Blindness = Missed Meals

When I’m locked in on something—whether it’s editing a video, answering DMs, or deep-diving into roller coaster stats—I vanish into time. That’s the beauty and curse of ADHD hyperfocus. I’m productive, sure, but suddenly it’s been 6 hours, and I haven’t eaten, moved, or hydrated.

Time blindness makes this worse. I’ll think it’s been an hour. It’s been three. My brain just doesn’t track time in the same way other people’s brains do. This combo is why Side by Side Nutrition calls forgetting to eat a common ADHD pattern—and they’re right.

When Medication Makes It Harder

Here’s where it gets extra complicated. I take Adderall daily to manage my ADHD, and I also take a daily all-natural GLP-1 support supplement. Together, they help me stay focused, energized, and regulated.

But the downside? Appetite suppression.

I might go most of the day without even thinking about food. It’s not that I’m ignoring hunger—it’s that I don’t even feel it. And because my executive functioning is already working overtime, remembering to stop and make a meal is… not exactly easy.

I literally have to put “eat lunch” in my calendar. With an alert. That repeats. Every. Single. Day.

The Restrict-Binge Cycle Is Real

This is something I’ve been working on. Because if I skip meals all day, by the time dinner rolls around, I’m suddenly a human vacuum cleaner. I go from zero to ravenous, which often leads to overeating—and then the guilt spiral begins.

According to Spilove Psychotherapy, this restrict-binge pattern is common in people with ADHD. And it’s not always about willpower or choice—it’s about how our brains process hunger, attention, and energy.

Multiple prepped meals in plastic containers with salmon, vegetables, pasta, and meatballs — a helpful ADHD strategy to avoid forgetting to eat during the week.

My Tips (That Actually Help Me)

I’m not a doctor, therapist, or nutritionist. I’m just a dude with ADHD trying to survive adulthood without becoming feral. That said, here are a few things that have helped me remember to eat more consistently:

  • Set reminders – Yes, like actual alarms. I have one for breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack.
  • Keep snacks in sight – If it’s not visible, I forget it exists. I leave granola bars or fruit on my desk.
  • Meal prep simple stuff – I’m not a chef. But if I pre-cut fruit or prep wraps in advance, I’m way more likely to eat something.
  • Pair meals with breaks – I treat eating as a break instead of a chore. It helps.
  • Check in with my body – I’m working on asking myself “Am I hungry?” before I crash.

If you want more practical tools like this, my digital guidebook Navigating ADHD for Adults dives into this kind of stuff—especially how to build routines that don’t overwhelm you.

You’re Not Lazy. You’re Wired Differently.

I spent years blaming myself for skipping meals or binge-eating late at night. I thought I was just lazy or irresponsible. But now I know it’s more complicated than that.

The ADHD brain doesn’t process internal signals the same way. It doesn’t prioritize eating unless it’s urgent. And that’s not your fault.

If this sounds like your life too, please know—you’re not broken. You’re just a person whose brain works differently. And once you understand that, you can start building systems that work with your brain, not against it.

Recap

If you keep forgetting to eat, especially with ADHD, you’re not alone and you’re not failing. You just need different tools.

5 Key Takeaways:

  1. ADHD affects interoception, so you may not feel hunger until it’s extreme.
  2. Hyperfocus and time blindness make skipping meals easy—without realizing it.
  3. ADHD medications and supplements can suppress appetite.
  4. A forget-to-eat cycle can lead to bingeing later (not a moral failure—just biology).
  5. Daily reminders, visible snacks, and prep hacks can really help.

FAQ

Q. Is forgetting to eat a sign of ADHD?
A. It’s not a formal symptom, but many people with ADHD experience it due to hyperfocus, time blindness, or poor interoception.

Q. Can ADHD medication make this worse?
A. Yes, stimulant meds often suppress appetite, which can make forgetting to eat more likely—especially when you’re already distracted.

Q. How can I remember to eat regularly with ADHD?
A. I use alarms, visual cues, pre-made meals, and I check in with my body a few times a day. Small changes help a lot.

Q. Am I the only one who forgets to eat all day?
A. Definitely not. I forget constantly—you’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong.

Much love. Good vibes. – Ky