Is your ADHD really about focus… or could your brain be asking for something completely different? For years, ADHD has been misunderstood as simply a problem with attention. But what if the real issue isn’t a lack of focus at all? What if nutrition, blood sugar, hormones, and emotional regulation are all connected in ways we’ve overlooked? In this episode of the Feeling and Healing Podcast, Danielle Z sits down with certified nutrition practitioner and certified ADHD coach Amy Jones to explore the powerful relationship between ADHD, nutrition, mental health, and the nervous system. Amy shares her deeply personal journey from years of misdiagnoses to finally receiving an ADHD diagnosis at 45, and explains how understanding the brain-body connection transformed both her life and career. Together, they discuss why traditional approaches to ADHD often miss the bigger picture, how nutrition can support emotional regulation, why executive function makes healthy eating more challenging than most people realize, and what parents, educators, and adults with ADHD can do to better support neurodivergent brains. Whether you’re living with ADHD, supporting someone who is, or simply curious about the connection between mental health and nutrition, this conversation is packed with practical insights and compassionate perspectives. This episode covers: - Amy Jones’ journey to an ADHD diagnosis at age 45 - Why ADHD is often misdiagnosed, especially in women -The connection between ADHD, anxiety, depression, and emotional regulation - How nutrition impacts ADHD symptoms and brain function - Why blood sugar stability matters for focus and mood - ADHD, hormones, and the connection to PMOS (formerly PCOS) - Executive function challenges around meal planning and cooking - Why traditional recipes can overwhelm neurodivergent brains- Practical strategies for making healthy eating more accessibl ⏱️: 00:00 Introduction 00:13 Meet Amy Jones 00:54 Amy’s mental health journey and late ADHD diagnosis 04:25 Transition from education to nutrition coaching 07:26 Advocating for your own mental health 09:15 The complexities of ADHD diagnoses 11:24 ADHD, hormones, and PMOS 13:22 Why ADHD isn’t really an attention deficit 15:48 Executive function and nutrition challenges 18:04 Why recipes overwhelm ADHD brains 20:03 Education systems and neurodivergent learning 24:03 Preventative mental health care 25:35 The brain-body connection explained 26:46 Blood sugar, nutrition, and emotional regulation 29:10 Supporting children with ADHD in school 💬 Connect with Amy JonesWebsite: https://www.amyjonesnutrition.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyjonesnutrition 💬 Connect with Danielle ZWebsite: https://www.daniellezmft.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielle.z.mftFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/daniellezilgX: https://x.com/daniellez_mftLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellezilg ▶️ Watch More Episodeshttps://youtu.be/SXHWoaV01VY?si=XMX5qkf0rgQ1rsjIhttps://youtu.be/ys6lyHpgdGI?si=30_tW6UQ6pq_CmkShttps://youtu.be/fZCFOtLtkoc?si=_lKuGhW-cIncv5qb 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations about mental health, ADHD, nutrition, emotional wellness, neurodiversity, leadership, relationships, personal growth, and holistic healing. 📜 Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical, psychological, nutritional, legal, or financial advice. 💖 If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment with your biggest takeaway, and share it with someone navigating ADHD, supporting a neurodivergent loved one, or interested in the connection between nutrition and mental health. © Feeling and Healing Podcast