How can I stop my 12-year-old helping himself to food?

[Winetime00]

My 12yr old son is constantly going in the fridge/food cupboards helping himself to whatever he fancies. Usually sugary stuff and over the top. Often food I've got plans for. He comes down in the night when I'm sleeping. I've repeatedly told him he's not to help himself. He takes no notice. He's a bit overweight. I don't like him not asking...and I'm a control freak when it comes to my kitchen...and also his diet. He's overweight, has ADHD, and seems to have an eating disorder...quite obsessive. It's driving me nuts. And he keeps on doing it...takes absolutely no notice. Any advice, suggestions would be appreciated.

Don’t buy stuff unless you are using it immediately. Discuss what food he can eat as he wishes. Look at meals to fill him up more

Putting it in inverted commas does not change the fact that labelling food as ‘naughty’ is not helpful and is potentially dangerous, particularly in discussions around disordered eating. THERE IS NOTHING NAUGHTY ABOUT RASINS, DATES, DRIED FRUIT OR BANANAS!

No one in the house needs unhealthy treats, so stop buying them.
As to the ignoring you, what consequences are given?
This behaviour, ADHD it not, is not on, and may escalate as they get older/bigger

First of all, you need to stop keeping unhealthy sugary snacks in the house. If you want to eat them, buy them on the go - but your son is just a kid and needs help changing his eating habits. You're not helping him by keeping food in the house that make his weight problem worse.

Second of all, he's growing and gets hungry - what do you feed him throughout the day? It sounds to me like he's not eating enough, or at least not eating enough of the things that keep him full for a long time.

I would also stop being so controlling about food. It must be so humiliating for your son to constantly be told of for eating in his own home. Why don't you delegate one kitchen cupboard or one shelf in the fridge that he's allowed to freely eat from? And stock those up with healthy things that will keep him full, like light sandwiches, leftover dinner, cheese string, chicken meatballs, etc.

Loads of helpful comments/ideas...thanks! The majority of the food in the house is healthy...lots of healthy snacks for him which im always happy for him to tuck into. He's not sneaking down for those. He's not hungry...has a very good diet with a healthy balanced range of meals and snacks. He's wanting sugary stuff (he'll eat half a pot of Nutella in one go, whole packet of biscuits, half a tub of 2ltr ice-cream), processed stuff, milk (he'll sometimes guzzle down 2 pints in a day, and often leave just a dribble). Sometimes he'll eat other family members share of something. Or eat cream for example that I'm using in a curry the following day. I don't like him eating all this junk, and don't like him sneaking down (and often hunting for things I've hidden) in the night. I think it's a shame (I believe in the 80/20 rule) but I think I'm just going to have to stop buying the stuff that's tempting him.