A Perth Dietitian’s guide for families navigating appetite loss on ADHD medication
If you’re a Perth parent navigating ADHD medication and suddenly staring at a full lunchbox every afternoon, this post is for you.
One of the most common questions I hear from families across Perth is:
My child isn't hungry when they take their ADHD medication. They're losing weight. How do I get food into them?
Appetite suppression is a well-recognised side effect of stimulant medications used to treat Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
It’s just one of the reasons that WA kids are required to see their treating specialist at least every 12 months so they can ensure growth and development stays on track.
To help Perth families manage this common challenge, I asked Accredited Practising Dietitian Belinda Martin, Director of Advanced Dietitians Group, to share practical, evidence-based strategies.
Belinda and her team support babies, children and neurodivergent families with a special interest in paediatric nutrition and growth concerns.
Here’s what Perth parents need to know.
Why does ADHD medication affect appetite?
Stimulant medications commonly prescribed for ADHD can:
- Suppress appetite
- Delay hunger cues
- Reduce interest in food
- Impact weight gain and growth velocity
“We see a lot of kids on ADHD medication with poor growth and concerns about their nutritional status,” says Belinda.
“As a parent this can be quite worrying. A common side effect of ADHD medication is to suppress appetite which can then cause poor weight gain and poor growth.”
For many children, appetite drops significantly during school hours and rebounds later in the afternoon or evening. Understanding this pattern is key because we can work with the medication rather than against it.
Make breakfast count (ditch the rules)
Breakfast is often your best nutritional opportunity before medication fully kicks in.
Belinda says: “Think high energy, high protein, and don’t worry about traditional breakfast rules. This is about fuel, not food policing.”
Aim for quality carbohydrates, protein, fruit or vegetables and extra healthy fats.
High-energy breakfast ideas
- 2–3 Weet-Bix with full cream milk, banana and cream
- French toast cooked in butter with avocado or maple syrup
- Ham, cheese and tomato toastie with extra butter
- Croissants with Nutella and strawberries
- Pancakes with peanut butter and berries
- Overnight oats made with full cream milk and honey
💡 Extra tip: Add a glass of milk for additional protein and calories.
Don't stress about uneaten lunches
For many children on stimulant medication, lunchtime is peak medication effect. Appetite may be almost non-existent.
“Kids don’t like to be different to their peers, especially in primary school, so it’s still important to send them with food in their lunch box, even if they don’t usually eat it,” says Belinda.
“It is also worth talking to your school about yours and their expectations around lunch to make sure everyone is on the same page. Make sure your child is not pressured to eat at school as this will probably make the situation worse.”
Belinda recommends sending their favourite foods for recess as it might entice them to eat a little bit.
“We often talk with families about sending lunch to school but quietly accepting that your child probably won’t eat it. If you can make peace with the lunch box coming home full then it will take a lot of stress off yourself and your child. It’s a very normal side effect. Parenting is tricky enough without giving yourself a hard time on this. “
Use the 4pm window
You may have noticed a particular time in the day when your child’s ADHD medication starts wearing off. For most kids this is usually around 4.00pm.
Belinda says: “Instead of offering the usual afternoon snack, try offering a meal instead. This can be a simple as offering the food that is left in their lunch box or offering an early dinner or left overs from the night before. Think of this meal as replacing recess and lunch if your child hasn’t eaten at school.”
This might look like:
- The untouched lunchbox food
- Leftovers from dinner
- An early dinner
- A reheated pasta or rice dish
Belinda’s tip for busy parents was to cook an extra serving of the meal the night before to have ready for afternoon tea time the next day.
“Still offer dinner at the usual time, or a bit later depending on when afternoon tea was,” says Belinda.
Add a high-calorie-bed time boost
If daytime food intake is low, evenings become important.
“A great way to get extra nutrition in is to give your your child a high calorie milkshake or snack before bed. This makes up for some extra calories that haven’t been eaten during the day. Just make sure those teeth get brushed afterwards,” says Belinda.
Snacks Belinda suggests include:
- Homemade milkshakes (milk, ice cream, milk powder)
- Sustagen or Up & Go
- Hot chocolate made with full cream milk
- Toast with peanut butter
- Crackers and cheese
Monitor growth, but keep it neutral
Research confirms stimulant medication can affect growth velocity in some children, particularly in the early years of treatment (Waxmonsky et al., 2022).
Before starting medication:
- Record weight and height
After starting:
- Monitor every 3 months via your GP or paediatrician
- Avoid frequent home weigh-ins
- Keep discussion neutral to protect body image
If growth slows significantly, your GP, paediatrician or dietitian can adjust the plan.
When should families seek help?
Consider seeing a paediatric dietitian if your child:
- Is losing weight
- Has dropped centile lines on growth charts
- Eats fewer than 10–15 foods
- Avoids entire food groups
- Has additional sensory challenges
- Has co-occurring conditions (autism, anxiety, ARFID)
If your child isn’t eating during school hours, then strategy that works with their medication pattern may help.
With thoughtful timing, higher-energy food choices, and professional guidance where needed, most children can maintain healthy growth while benefiting from ADHD medication.
If you’re concerned about your child’s appetite, growth or nutrition in Perth, reach out to your GP, paediatrician or a paediatric dietitian for support.
Expert support in Perth: Advanced Dietitans Group
Advanced Dietitians Group was founded in 2014 by Belinda Martin and Ingrid Roche, Perth dietitians with over 50 years of combined experience.
“At Advanced Dietitians Group, we’re here to support families at every stage, ensuring nutrition is the foundation for a healthier future,” says Belinda.
“If you’re a mum with a neurodivergent child with ADHD, ASD, PDA or sensory differences, we specialise in providing practical, evidence-based advice to address feeding challenges, picky eating, food sensitivities, and appetite changes.”
Their team of Accredited Practising Dietitians specialise in:
- Paediatric nutrition
- Neurodivergent children
- ADHD and medication-related appetite suppression
- Allergies
- Disability nutrition
- Infant feeding
- Pregnancy and maternal nutrition
- Ketogenic diet for epilepsy
Belinda has 25 years’ experience, including work as a Senior and Paediatric Dietitian in WA and the UK. She’s also a mum of three, so she understands firsthand how worrying growth concerns can feel.
Families appreciate that:
- They offer evidence-based advice
- They are experienced with neurodivergent children
- They understand real-world parenting
- They prioritise early appointments when growth is a concern
- They are centrally located in Leederville with plenty of parking
You can find their full listing on Perth Kids Hub here:
👉 Advanced Dietitians Group – Perth Paediatric Dietitians
References
Charach A, Ickowicz A, Schachar R. Stimulant treatment over five years: adherence, effectiveness, and adverse effects. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2004;43(5):559–567
Poulton AS, Melzer E, Tait PR, Garnett SP, Cowell CT, Baur LA, Clarke S. Growth and pubertal development of adolescent boys on stimulant medication for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Med J Aust. 2013 Jan 21;198(1):29-32.
Stevens JR, Wilens TE, Stern TA. Using stimulants for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: clinical approaches and challenges. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2013;15(2):PCC.12f01472.
Swanson JM, Elliott GR, Greenhill LL, et al. Effects of stimulant medication on growth rates across 3 years in the MTA follow-up. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2007;46(8):1015–1027.
Waxmonsky JG, Pelham WE 3rd, Baweja R, Hale D, Pelham WE Jr. Predictors of Changes in Height, Weight, and Body Mass Index After Initiation of Central Nervous System Stimulants in Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. J Pediatr. 2022 Feb;241:115-125.e2.
Waxmonsky JG, Pelham WE 3rd, Campa A, Waschbusch DA, Li T, Marshall R, Babocsai L, Humphery H, Gnagy E, Swanson J, Hanć T, Fallahazad N, Pelham WE Jr. A Randomized Controlled Trial of Interventions for Growth Suppression in Children With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Treated With Central Nervous System Stimulants. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2020 Dec;59(12):1330-1341.
