The Exam Room by the Physicians Committee How Food Helped My Neurodiverse Family
Jul 22, 2025
Katherine Lawrence, a nutritionist and autism specialist, discusses how dietary choices transformed her neurodivergent family's life. She reveals how specific foods helped her son manage autism, ADHD, and OCD by improving focus and self-regulation. Katherine shares the impact of a daily smoothie routine and warns against the dangers of sugary and processed foods. Discover the crucial nutrients missing from neurodivergent diets and practical tips for sneaking healthy options into meals for picky eaters.
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Family Lived Experience Sparked Her Focus
- Katherine and two immediate family members are neurodiverse: she has OCD, her husband has ADHD, and their son has autism, ADHD, and OCD.
- This family experience propelled her shift from reproductive nutrition to focusing on neurodivergent nutrition.
Daily Nutrient Smoothies As A Fail-Safe
- Do give nutrient-dense smoothies daily to bypass texture sensitivities and deliver brain nutrients consistently.
- Teach children to notice how food affects focus so they learn self-regulation and make better choices.
Gut Health Directly Shapes Brain Chemistry
- Recognize the gut–brain axis: gut health heavily influences neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine.
- Poor gut health can directly worsen mood, behavior, and cognitive function in neurodivergent children.