Hey there!
I’m Annika.
I am the leading expert in the ADHD nutrition research space. I’ve read and dissected nearly every single research study there is on ADHD nutrition – and trust me, that’s a lot.
My goal is to now bring this research to light.
- I share content regularly on the research on the social media and podcast platforms
- I conduct trainings for both mental and physical health providers
- I’m currently in the process of writing a book that breaks down all this research in a digestible way!
01
Accessible
I strive to make the research accessible through low-cost and free content.
02
Continuous
I am in the research nearly every single day working to learn more!
03
Supported
I promise to never say anything that is not supported by evidence.
My Expertise
So, pretty obviously, my expertise is ADHD nutrition! The specific umbrella field is called neuronutrition. It’s a fascinating and emerging field, and ADHD nutrition is one small aspect of it.
For more obvious things, I also have ADHD and struggle with food. Learning the why behind the foods I need to eat has been one of the few things that help me.
ADHD and food has a wide range of experiences. Personally, I struggle mainly with unintentional restriction, texture difficulties, and taste aversions.
WHAT IS NEURONUTRITION?
Neuronutrition experts are skilled at understanding the research behind not just how nutrients impact mental health, but also how mental health impacts nutrients.
Professional Disclaimer
When I am acting as a coach, I am a support for the progress you are making with your primary physician and/or mental health professional, if you have those on your team. Those systems are the roots of your transformation journey. Coaching helps you move from ‘what to do’ into ‘why and how to do.’ My expertise is supporting you in your wellness transformation in the way that these professions cannot.
However, this means I do not do the following:
- Treat or diagnose medical or mental health conditions
- Provide medical advice or direction, including supplements
- Provide therapy
Health and wellness coaching may look similar; however, it is not the same and cannot replace medical and mental health professionals.
My Education and Qualifications
B.S. in Psychology
Certificate in American Sign Language
UW-Eau Claire
M.S in Health Psychology
Northcentral University [now National University]
Industry Work
- Group home manager for clients with ADHD, autism, schizoaffective disorder, and physical health disabilities.
- In-home mental health skills work for low-income clients with SPMIs
- Online content creation, 1:1 coaching, speaking engagements.
My Philosophy
This is my motto:
Food does not “heal” or “fix” ADHD. Treatment for ADHD is multifaceted and requires both medication and lifestyle changes for best symptom management in the majority of cases.
Diet can support symptom management, but it is only one small piece.
Really, what this means is that, despite my love for nutrition, it’s really quite insignificant of an intervention compared to social determinants of health such as access to healthcare, financial status, and physical location.
It also means that I will never promote healthism speech such as ‘clean eating’ or ‘junk food,’ etc. This language, beyond its unscientific and eugenics-based background, can induce orthorexic behavior – and this is something we want to avoid.
Are you a dietitian?
No, I am trained in health psychology with an emphasis on behavioral nutrition. My education allows me to be what is called a Behavioral Health Practitioner. With my concentration in ADHD nutrition, I am able to provide nutrition counseling for just ADHD.
Why won’t you tell us what supplements to get?
Supplementation is an individual journey and should be done under the supervision of a physician and pharmacist, and sometimes with a dietitian. If I were to provide individual recommendations, that opens me up to liability and may cause potential harm due to toxicity or medication interactions.
What type of diet do YOU follow?
I tend to follow a non-restrictive dietary eating pattern that focuses on plant and animal diversity. Every day is different as ADHD is a dynamic disability and affects me differently every day regarding nutrition. Some days I focus on needing to simply eat and other days I focus on eating high-protein, high-fiber.
Can I use my HSA/FSA?
Yes, my qualifications allow you to use HSA/FSA funds; however, this is only under certain circumstances. You will need to get a physician to write a note saying you need nutrition services for specifically your ADHD (no other health condition as those are outside my scope of practice). For any other condition besides solely ADHD, you will need to get a referral to a dietitian.
Are you a therapist?
No, I am not a therapist. This is a similar question to the dietitian one! While I am trained in the concepts, I am not licensed to provide the general practices of therapy. I am, however, able to provide support for behavioral interventions.
How do I work with you?
I currently take on one client at a time. You can sign up for a discovery call after reviewing the 1:1 services page. I will have a note on the page if I am currently not taking any more discovery calls. This will happen if I am backed up by 3 or more months.
My services are for you if…
- You are ready to make deliberate and sustainable changes in your life
- You are looking for a program that promotes holistic health gain, not simply weight loss
- You want to integrate both scientific and complementary practices into your wellness journey
- You are looking for a provider who has a background in the medical, mental health, and naturopathic fields
