ADHD, Food & The Whole-Body Connection with Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas #8

Welcome back to The WHOLEistic Psychology Podcast 🤍Today’s conversation is one that feels both deeply important and incredibly needed, and I feel so excited about sharing with you! I’m joined by the incredible Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas — a clinical neuroscientist, nutrition and mental health researcher, and author of ADHD Body and Mind — whose work brings together neuroscience, nutrition, and lived experience in a way that is both deeply compassionate and profoundly insightful .Together, we explore what ADHD actually looks like beyond the diagnostic criteria… not just as a condition of attention, but as a whole-body experience that shapes how we think, feel, eat, and move through the world.We talk about the gut-brain connection, emotional regulation, disordered eating, and Dr Miguel’s PHOCUS framework - a beautifully holistic approach to supporting ADHD through food, flexibility and self-kindness.In this episode, we explore:✨ Dr Miguel’s personal journey with ADHD and autism, and how his late diagnosis reshaped his understanding of himself and his work ✨ What ADHD actually feels like day-to-day (from hyperfocus and creativity to overwhelm, paralysis, and emotional intensity) ✨ Why ADHD is not just a “brain disorder”, but a whole-body experience involving the nervous system, gut, and inflammation ✨ The often-overlooked emotional landscape of ADHD, including overwhelm, dysregulation, and rejection sensitivity ✨ Why food matters for ADHD ✨ The gut-brain connection and how microbiome health may influence mood, focus, and overall wellbeing ✨ Dr Miguel’s PHOCUS framework: a flexible, ADHD-friendly approach to nourishment that moves away from rigid rules ✨ The role of protein in supporting dopamine, energy, and emotional regulation throughout the day ✨ How healthy fats, herbs, and hydration support brain function, inflammation, and overall health ✨ Why carbohydrates are not the enemy, and how they support gut health and steady energy ✨ The importance of colourful, diverse plant foods for the microbiome and whole-body health ✨ The role of unprocessed, unique, and umami foods in creating satisfaction, pleasure, and sensory engagement with food ✨ Why self-kindness is the foundation of any sustainable approach to health, especially for ADHD ✨ The connection between ADHD and disordered eating, and how food can become both a source of comfort and control ✨ Why perfectionism and rigid food rules can be more harmful than helpful ✨ The importance of a truly holistic approach: food, movement, connection, environment, and psychology all working togetherTo see more of the incredible Dr Miguel Toribio-Mateas and his work, you can explore his book ADHD Body and Mind and his ongoing research in the field of nutrition and mental health, as well as by following him on Instagram @drmiguelmateas .Want even more WHOLEistic Psychology? Here’s where to find more support and resources:Website & Client EnquiriesLearn more about WHOLEistic Psychology and my fantastic team HERE.Join the NewsletterMy monthly(ish!) newsletter curated for you to show you all about mind-body wellness, through psychological tools, recipes, research and more! JOIN HEREBlogTake a read of my thoughts and learnings I want to share with you. READ HERE.