How Nutrition Supports the Nervous System (and Why That Matters for ADHD)

Stress, trauma, and nutrition are often treated like separate issues but what if they're all part of the same conversation? In this episode of Adulting with ADHD, Sarah sits down with licensed nutritionist and author Meg Bowman to explore how the nervous system and nutrition are deeply connected, especially for adults with ADHD. Meg shares how her own Crohn's diagnosis led her into the world of mental health nutrition, and why supporting the nervous system is just as important as choosing the "right" foods. Together, they unpack how stress and trauma shape the body's relationship with food, why consistency can feel extra hard with ADHD, and how nutrition can become a source of safety rather than another area of pressure or shame. This conversation offers a compassionate reframe: instead of asking "What should I be eating?", we can start asking "What helps my body feel safe enough to eat?" In this episode, we talk about: How the nervous system and digestion influence each other Why fear, stress, and trauma can shut down hunger cues What polyvagal theory has to do with food and regulation Why traditional nutrition advice often doesn't work for ADHD brains How visibility, simplicity, and support can make eating easier The idea of "taking care of future you" with low-effort planning How community and shared executive function can reduce decision fatigue Meg also shares insights from her book, This Is Your Body on Trauma, including: How trauma shows up in the body as inflammation Why chronic stress is linked to long-term health conditions A framework for understanding food, gut health, stress, and mental health together How to build a personal nutrition toolkit that feels supportive instead of restrictive If food feels complicated, overwhelming, or emotionally loaded, this episode offers a gentler way forward, one that centers safety, nervous system regulation, and self-compassion instead of perfection. Resources mentioned: This Is Your Body on Trauma by Meg Bowman Meg's Substack: Nutrition Needs Nuance Meg's website: megbowmannutrition.com