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What is ARFID? Yes, ARFID is More Than Just “Picky Eating”


Please note: If you or a loved one is struggling with ARFID we offer compassionate Support for Avoidant/RestrictiveFood Intake Disorder


At Carmel Therapy, we understand that food challenges that are often rooted in fear, sensory differences, medical experiences, or past stress; are not based in choice, willpower, or defiance. Support for ARFID is not about forcing change, but about creating safety, trust, and nourishment at a pace that feels manageable.


What is ARFID?


Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a feeding and eating disorder that goes far beyond “picky eating.” ARFID can affect children, adolescents, and adults, and it can have a real impact on physical health, emotional well-being, and daily life.


ARFID is characterized by ongoing difficulty eating enough food or a wide enough variety of foods to meet nutritional needs. Unlike other eating disorders, ARFID is not driven by weight or body image concerns.


ARFID may involve:

● Strong sensory sensitivities to texture, taste, smell, or temperature

● Fear of choking, vomiting, allergic reactions, or stomach pain

● Limited interest in food or eating

● Reliance on a small number of “safe” foods

These experiences can lead to:

● Difficulty maintaining growth or weight

● Nutrient deficiencies

● Dependence on supplements and reduced nutrient variety

● Stress around meals, school, work, or social situations, possibly leading to

isolation


ARFID Can Affect All Ages


While ARFID is often identified in childhood, it can persist into adulthood or begin later in life. Many adults with ARFID may spend years being misunderstood or encouraged to “just try harder” with food.


ARFID may start in early childhood and continue over time. It can develop after a medical event, choking incident, illness, or GI symptoms. It can also co-occur with anxiety, OCD, ADHD, autism, or sensory processing differences. Regardless of age, ARFID deserves care that is respectful, affirming, and individualized.


Trauma-Informed Nutrition Support for ARFID


Dietitians at Carmel Therapy Network use a trauma-informed approach, meaning emotional safety, autonomy, and trust are prioritized.


Dietitian support may include:

● Assessing nutrition needs without judgment or pressure

● Supporting nourishment using existing safe foods

● Addressing nutrient gaps in realistic ways

● Exploring food variety only when and if the client is ready

● Reducing stress, fear, and overwhelm around eating

● Supporting caregivers with compassionate and practical guidance


Progress is not measured by how many foods are added, but by increased safety,

confidence, and nourishment.


A Multidisciplinary, Team-Based Approach


ARFID often affects both the body and the nervous system. For this reason, care is most effective when nutrition support is combined with psychotherapy.


Therapists can help address:

● Anxiety and fear responses related to food

● Past medical or feeding trauma

● Sensory processing challenges

● Emotional regulation around meals


Dietitians and psychotherapists can work together to support the whole person, not just eating behaviors.


ARFID Resources


If you would like to learn more about ARFID, the following resources may be helpful:

● National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)

● Feeding Matters (pediatric feeding and ARFID support)

● ARFID Awareness UK

● Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics – Eating Disorders Resources

● The Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (ACAMH)


ARFID Support at Carmel Therapy Network


If you or a loved one are struggling with ARFID, Carmel Therapy Network offers

compassionate, collaborative care. Dietitians and therapists at Carmel Therapy Network

are experienced in supporting ARFID across the lifespan. Change happens through

safety, not pressure, and support needs to honor each person’s pace and lived

experience.


Whether you are seeking nutrition support, therapy, or coordinated care, we are here to

meet you with compassion and care.


Give us a call, 317-520-4722 or fill out a free 15 minute consultation with one of our trauma-Informed dietitians.


 
 
 

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