🌟 The ADHD + Anxiety Connection: How Nutrients Help Regulate the Nervous System

ADHD and anxiety often show up together—and it’s not a coincidence. Both are influenced by the brain’s neurotransmitters, stress hormones, and blood sugar balance. If your child struggles with both focus and worry, supporting the nervous system through nutrition can make a big difference.

🧠 Nutrients That Calm the Brain

Zinc – Regulates the stress response and supports GABA production

• Found in: Red meat, oysters, lamb, pumpkin seeds

Magnesium – Calms the nervous system and improves sleep

• Found in: Grass-fed beef, dark leafy greens, cacao, nuts

Iron & B12 – Essential for dopamine and serotonin production

• Found in: Liver, beef, eggs, organ meats

Omega-3s – Reduce inflammation and improve resilience

• Found in: Sardines, salmon, grass-fed beef

Choline – Supports memory, mood, and cognition

• Found in: Egg yolks, liver, beef

🥩 The Role of Red Meat

Red meat is not the problem—it’s the solution. Kids with ADHD and anxiety are often nutrient-depleted, and red meat offers highly bioavailable iron, zinc, B12, protein, and creatine—all crucial for brain function and emotional regulation.

🍳 Stabilize with Structure

Build your meals like this:

• Protein first (red meat, eggs, chicken, lamb)
• Fat second (butter, ghee, olive oil, cheese)
• Optional veggies or fruit (cooked and easy to digest)

This structure supports blood sugar, calms the nervous system, and reduces those “after snack” crashes that often lead to anxious or hyperactive behavior.