Julia Ross on Amino Acids, Mood, Cravings, and Attention: Practical Nutrition Ideas for ADHD Families

Host: Kate Brownfield, Certified Whole Person & ADHD Parent Coach
Guest: Julia Ross, bestselling author of The Mood Cure, The Diet Cure, and The Craving Cure; pioneer in nutrient-based therapies; director of a global virtual clinic and professional training.

Episode Overview

Kate sits down with mood and cravings expert Julia Ross to explore how targeted nutrients and protein-forward eating patterns may support mood stability, cravings, sleep, and attention, especially in ADHD families. Julia shares stories from decades of clinical work, why “context drives capacity” for brains under stress, and how simple nutrition shifts can complement (not replace) therapy and medication.

What We Cover

• From psychotherapy to nutrients: why the addiction and mood field began testing amino acids alongside counseling.

• Five key neurotransmitter systems and the amino acids commonly discussed to support them (education, not medical advice):

  • Tyrosine → focus/energy support

  • Tryptophan → serotonin/mood/sleep support

  • GABA → calming/“reduce extra adrenaline” support

  • Endorphin support → comfort, reduced “junk food only” pull

  • Glutamine → hypoglycemia/cravings support

• Food first: why consistent animal-protein intake (plus balanced meals—“three squares”) may matter for mood and attention, and how ultra-processed foods complicate the picture.

• Practical tips with kids: creative ways to deliver supplements if a child won’t swallow capsules; previewing and monitoring effects; starting low and going slow.

• Working with meds: how some families explore nutrients hours away from stimulant dosing and then collaborate with prescribers if they see benefits.

• Screening tools & resources: Julia’s five-part symptom questionnaire, and an updated handbook for getting started.

Key Takeaways

• Nutrition can be a complementary lever for improving mood, managing cravings, enhancing sleep, and improving attention, best used in conjunction with medical care, therapy, routines, and good sleep hygiene.

• Protein at breakfast and steady meals helps prevent the “crash → crave” loop.

• If you experiment with nutrients, track one change at a time, observe effects, and coordinate with your clinician, especially for kids, pregnancies, and anyone on medication.

• What “works” is individualized; expect small trials + careful notes rather than a one-size-fits-all protocol.

Resources Mentioned

• Books by Julia Ross: The Mood Cure, The Diet Cure, The Craving Cure

• Website & questionnaire: JuliaRossCures.com

• (Mentioned) James Greenblatt, MD — Finally Focused (nutrient psychiatry for ADHD)

Important Note

This episode is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Nutrients can interact with medications and conditions (including lithium, amino acids, melatonin, etc.). Consult your child’s clinician before starting, stopping, or combining any supplement or medication.

Connect with Kate: ADHDKidsCanThrive.com | Coaching inquiries: https://adhdkidscanthrive.com/appointment/
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