#also i got off adderall and started smoking weed which both increased my appetite massively

[elliegoose]

do you have or know of any tips for gaining when you have trouble feeding yourself reliably (autism) and/or a lot of sensory issues/food specificity? (also autism)

okay so like, this isn't an exact science but the general community consensus on how to gain without resorting to really harmful ways to force your metabolism down is to just eat lots, with a wide variety of nutrients and a moderate focus on protein and carbs. so that's likely your goal. now, how you get there in your situation is through the same techniques that anyone with your problems uses in order to eat more regularly. you should work with your sensory issues and preferences rather than against them, and find ways to make cooking as easy and accessible as possible.

i don't know of any particular ones off the top of my head (followers, help finding links would be appreciated), but i know that there are a lot of low-effort/low-spoons cookbooks out there. find ways to reduce the number of steps in cooking, the complexity of the steps, and the amount of cleanup.

i'll also say that, as someone with executive functioning issues (autism as well), cooking is a skill that starts taking less effort and fewer spoons with time and practice. a few years ago, it always took me a ton of effort to force myself to get up and make any sort of meal even if i was feeling ravenous, but now with basic meals, i hardly have to think about it at all, and i actually find the act of cooking reinvigorating rather than a drain on my energy! cooking is no longer something i procrastinate on, and i find it quite relaxing to do. i promise it will get easier!