Bought all the ingredients, then ordered a takeaway? AuDHD and cooking.
Why is cooking so hard?
Cooking asks for planning, timing, multitasking and sensory tolerance, all at once. The ADHD side loses track of steps and time. The autistic side can be overwhelmed by smells, textures and noise.
Finding cooking hard isn’t a lack of skill.
Cooking is a demanding task disguised as an everyday one. You have to plan, shop, follow steps in order, time several things together and keep track of the heat. That is hard for the ADHD side, which loses its place and forgets things on the hob. The autistic side may also be bothered by smells, sticky textures and noisy extractor fans. By evening, when energy is lowest, it can feel impossible.
What gets hard
Put next to each other, the difference is clear:
| Autistic side | ADHD side |
|---|---|
| Strong smells | Following recipe steps |
| Sticky textures | Timing things together |
| Noisy extractor fans | Forgetting the oven |
| Unfamiliar recipes | Leaving it too late to start |
A lot of steps for one meal.
What it can look like
Everyone is different, but these come up again and again:
- Buying ingredients, then ordering a takeaway
- Burning dinner because you got distracted
- The same three meals on rotation
- Too tired to cook, too hungry to wait
- Loving baking, dreading everyday cooking
Simplify it
- Go-to meals: A short list you know well.
- One-pan dinners: Fewer steps, less washing up.
- Shortcut ingredients: Pre-chopped veg, ready rice.
- Batch cook: Cook once, eat three times.
- Picture recipes: Easier to follow.
Stay on track
- Set timers: For every step.
- Prep first: Get everything out before starting.
- Cook with music: Or a podcast.
- Open a window: For strong smells.
- Cook with someone: Body doubling works here too.
Where to start
Make it as simple as you can. Keep a short list of meals you know well, and use shortcuts such as pre-chopped vegetables. Cook in one pan, and make extra for another day. Set a timer for every step, and never leave cooking unattended. A plain meal that gets you fed is a success.
The bottom line
Fed is a win.
This post is for awareness, not diagnosis. Kitchen safety first: use timers and never leave cooking unattended.
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