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At Home with ADHD
TRICK OR TREAT YOUR BRAIN EVERYDAY

By: Lannette Guerra |  October 17, 2024




Hey there, hardworking mom!

Halloween may only come once a year, but as a neurodivergent mom feeding a neurodivergent daughter, I can tell you with 100% certainty that trick-or-treating is a year-round skill for us ADHD folks. It’s how we manage to get things done and live healthy lives. With that in mind, I will show you how to trick and treat yourself by reorganizing your fridge. Yes, you heard that right! Today, you’ll learn how to "landscape" your refrigerator to be ADHD-friendly, allowing norepinephrine to flow into your beautiful brain.

This idea came to me after two years of what I call the "untangling process"—a period when the newly diagnosed mourn the loss of their old selves and learn new tools to thrive. I thought, “So, my brain lacks dopamine and norepinephrine. There must be a way to hack myself and creatively compensate for those deficiencies." That’s when I realized I had to get disciplined with my food intake. Every food decision became about whether it was good or bad for my brain. There were no fad diets, calorie counting, or rigid systems. There was just one rule: all processed and junk food had to go, and if it stayed, it had to be out of sight—out of mind (aka in the extra fridge in the garage). But here’s the catch: if I was going to fill my fridge with healthy options, I needed to add a little dopamine to the mix to stay motivated. That’s how fridge landscaping was born.

Now, let’s discuss how to landscape your fridge to boost norepinephrine levels and stay on track.


Step 1: Consult Your Doctor or Nutritionist
Before making any significant changes to your diet, check with a healthcare professional. Some foods on this list may not suit you, so getting personalized advice is essential.

Step 2: Stock Up on Norepinephrine-Boosting Foods
Here's a list of norepinephrine-friendly foods to keep on hand:

Tyrosine-Rich Foods
Tyrosine is a precursor to norepinephrine and dopamine, essential for boosting those neurotransmitters.

  • Turkey and chicken (lean poultry)
  • Eggs
  • Fish (especially salmon and mackerel)
  • Dairy (milk, yogurt, cheese)
  • Tofu and tempeh
  • Pumpkin and sesame seeds
  • Almonds and walnuts
  • Avocados (rich in healthy fats and tyrosine)

Vitamin B6-Rich Foods
Vitamin B6 helps convert tyrosine into norepinephrine.

  • Bananas
  • Spinach and other leafy greens
  • Chickpeas (or hummus)
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Tuna

Vitamin C-Rich Foods
Vitamin C aids in norepinephrine synthesis and protects neurotransmitters from oxidative stress.

  • Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons)
  • Bell peppers
  • Strawberries
  • Broccoli

Copper-Rich Foods
Copper is essential for enzymes that convert dopamine into norepinephrine.

  • Lentils
  • Cashews
  • Sesame seeds
  • Shiitake mushrooms


Magnesium-Rich Foods
Magnesium helps regulate the release of norepinephrine and other neurotransmitters.

  • Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale)
  • Pumpkin seeds
  • Almonds
  • Avocados
  • Quinoa

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3s protect nerve cells and optimize neurotransmitter function.

  • Salmon
  • Chia seeds
  • Flaxseeds
  • Walnuts

Iron-Rich Foods

Iron deficiency can lead to fatigue and cognitive difficulties, which are common in those with ADHD.

  • Spinach
  • Lentils (cooked, stored in the fridge)

Fermented Foods
Gut health is closely linked to neurotransmitter production.

  • Sauerkraut
  • Kimchi
  • Yogurt (with live cultures)

Dark Chocolate
It contains small amounts of tyrosine and promotes the release of dopamine and norepinephrine.

  • 70% cacao dark chocolate (in moderation)

Complex Carbohydrates

Complex carbs provide steady energy and prevent sugar crashes that affect mood and focus.

  • Quinoa
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Whole grain bread (store in the fridge to keep fresh longer)
  • Berries (low-glycemic fruit for sustained energy)

Lion’s Mane
This mushroom is a neuro-enhancer, supporting cognitive function, including memory, focus, and mental clarity.




Step 3: Organize Your Fridge 
Now, let's turn your fridge into a norepinephrine powerhouse.

  1. Set a Schedule: Dedicate about 2.5 hours weekly to shopping and restocking your fridge.
  2. Use Filtered Water for Washing: When rinsing your food, ensure the water is filtered and has a purity level below 150 ppm (test with a water purity tester).
  3. Prioritize Eye-Level Space: Place essential norepinephrine-boosting foods like eggs, yogurt, and leafy greens at eye level. Like grocery stores place expensive products at eye level, you want your brain-boosting foods to be front and center.
  4. Organize the Fridge Door Like a Store Perimeter: Use the fridge door to store vegetables—think of it as the perimeter of a grocery store, where you’ll find the healthiest items. Put glass containers and condiments in the drawers.
  5. Store Produce in Glass or BPA-free containers. To keep the produce fresher for longer, place a damp paper towel at the bottom of each container.
  6. Create Themed Baskets: Make baskets for specific categories, such as salad toppings, sandwich fixings, omega-3, and probiotic-rich foods. You can even categorize foods by nutrients or particular vitamins, such as the iron-rich or super-hydrating fruit basket. And let’s not forget the best theme (mood-boosting foods), which would have dark chocolate, bananas, and chia pudding. This will make throwing together a healthy meal easier without overthinking it.
  7. Pre-Cut Items: Pre-cutting can hinder healthy eating due to the mess and effort involved. Make it easy on yourself by prepping items ahead of time.
  8. Healthy Dipping Options: Keep small containers of healthy dips next to pre-cut veggies like celery or apples, making grabbing a quick, nutritious snack easy.
  9. Meal Prep in large batches: Make Chickpea toppings or lentil soup in batches and place in large mason jars for the week.
  10. Create a Salad Bar-Style Drawer: Set up a dedicated drawer with pre-cut veggies, greens, and toppings to quickly throw together a healthy salad. This makes it simple to assemble a nutritious meal in minutes without the hassle of prep work.


And there you have it, Mom, a foolproof way of organizing your fridge in an ADHD-friendly, norepinephrine-boosting way. This will set you up for success and help you stay motivated and energized sustainably—happy trick-or-treating, folks.




Lannette Guerra has a decade of experience working for large and small high-end residential firms, throughout Northern California. She holds a Bachelor of Architecture, a Bachelor of Arts, and is a LEED accredited professional. Before moving to California, she spent 4 years as an Exhibit Designer in Kansas City, MO. 
 
She resides and virtually works for her current employer, from her home in San Rafael, CA.  When she is not hyperfocused on work she enjoys hikes in the Marin headlands and couch cuddles with her family and furry friend. She is currently staying away from engaging in any new hobbies except for being a mentor & advocate of mental and physical well-being.
 
She is also a strong believer that the only way to build yourself to personal fulfillment and reach your true potential is to quiet the mind, eliminate distraction, and listen to what your heart has been telling you all along. Only then will you be able to see your authentic self reflected within your home, your soul, and in the workplace.
More from this issue:

Design Diaries: Creating a Costume Corner for Kids in Your Home: Where Imagination Takes Center Stage Read >> 

Motherhood & Movement: Imagining a New Motherhood Read >> 

The Nurtured Mommy: Store Bought Costumes Read >> 

Blissful Health & Harmony: The Haunting of Chronic Illness: How Ignoring it Can Lead to Frightening Consequences Read >> 

At Home With ADHD: Trick or Treat Your Brain Everyday Read >>