Don’t cook dinner at dinner time, and other ways to get it done
I was explaining to my sister how much trouble I was having cooking after work. I come home from work maxed out, tired, sore and not up for standing for a long period of time. There could be something in the fridge to cook, but if there is it’s for a recipe I don’t want to make anymore or it’s chicken that’s 3 days past it’s use by. If I do push myself to start something, it’s likely going to turn out badly because I just don’t have it in me. Much better (and faster) to get something on Uber Eats, I’m sure you know the feeling.
So my sister said to me, ‘If you’re so tired at dinner time, why not try cooking another time of day’ and honestly it blew me away. Such an obvious thing that had never once occurred to me. People with ADHD often deal with time blindness, decision fatigue, and wildly fluctuating energy levels. That dinner window is usually when executive function is at rock bottom. It’s a bit like not shopping when you’re hungry really - takes so much pressure off. Aided by the fact I’m not trying to feed a family and at the time I had a hybrid working arrangement, this actually turned out to be one of the most successful strategies I’ve added to my playbook.
There’s so much guilt tied up in dinner time. Somehow, it became a marker of how well or successful I am on any given day. Those simple words gave me permission I didn’t know I needed to just let that whole stress go. Cooking when I had the capacity rather than when I think I’m supposed to is the key. Maybe it’s after dinner and once the dog has been walked and I’ve got a second wind. Maybe it’s sunday morning when I’m in chore mode and have the time free. Could be chopping a few veg when I need a brain break from my desk. Of course sometimes it’s still uber eats or a tin of dolmades or whatever I can find in the fridge - that will never fully change.
Similar strategies I’ve been playing with:
Don’t plan, or if you do cook it right away
If I have time to think about it, I don’t want it anymore. If it’s in the fridge for too long - I get demand avoidance. Planning doesn’t work for me. If I’m going to plan out a few meals I need to cook them right away or it just won’t happen
Get grocery delivery
Honestly - game changer. Chalk the delivery fee up to ADHD tax and just do it. I have the supermarket app on my phone and just add things as I think of them so they don’t get forgotten. Plus going to the supermarket can be a lot of effort and take all the executive function needed to actually prep the food.
This ensures the groceries actually get done. Felt weirdly guilty about this one for a while but I got past it when I realised how much it helped me
Prep as you put away
If, and only if, you have something left in the tank, prep your groceries as you put them away. This is easier if you didn’t have to go to the supermarket to get your groceries.
For example, I like to take yoghurt to work so I might portion it up into snack tubs before it goes in the fridge. I’ll boil half a dozen eggs for snacks, or maybe slice up a block of cheese into cheese sticks like I’m a kid (no shame - kids lunches can be very inspiring), or chop a watermelon so it’s ready to eat.
It’s striking while the iron is hot. If you’re in motion, do a couple things to make life easier for future you. Also, this is a good time to have leftovers ready to eat or even get uber eats. Once you’ve done all that prep, you might run out of steam. Plan for that and make it part of the process.
Uber eats…for leftovers
It’s inevitable that I’m going to get Uber Eats, even if I have fridge full of food. Sometimes, I just can’t eat food I’ve made myself.
So, I make it work for me. I order enough to have enough for leftovers which brings down the cost per serve. Great with things like Thai or Chinese where doing this means I can justify adding a side of veg to the order.
Treat yourself and serve it onto a plate, then split the containers into lunches and put it away. Job done, minimal washing up, enjoy your meal knowing you’re sorted for tomorrow as well.
